Data: National Abortion Federation; Graphics: Nikki Cumberg / Axios
Attacks on abortion clinic staff and patients increased by 128% last year compared to 2020, according to a new report by the National Abortion Federation.
Why it matters: Heated political rhetoric, the adoption of more restrictive state bans on abortion, and increased media coverage have all taken into account the increase in violence, encouraging those “who want to harass and terrorize abortion providers,” said Melissa Fowler. program director of NAF reporters.
- Fowler added that the NAF expects the violence to continue to escalate and is “on high alert.”
In figures: Beyond the wave of attacks outside clinics, NAF documents the following:
- 600% increase in stalking.
- Increase in burglary by 63%.
- 54% increase in acts of vandalism (which includes multiple incidents of bullets fired through the windows of the clinic).
- 163% increase in fraud devices or suspicious packages in clinics.
- 80% increase in bomb threats.
- 128% increase in invasions, including cases in which abortion protesters forcibly enter clinics.
The NAF found that arson, death threats and intrusion attempts had decreased last year.
- The organization is preparing for the consequences of an impending Supreme Court ruling that could decide the fate of Roe v. Wade.
Enlarge: Some clinics were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a drop in protest activity.
- In addition, pandemic restrictions have limited the presence of escorts from clinics, which often witness and report invasions and other incidents.
- As a result, the NAF suspects that it reports insufficiently in several categories, including harassment, obstruction, border violation and picketing.
What they say: Abortion protesters “feel supported by politicians who go out and express their views against the election, and therefore feel supported in acts of violence and targeted harassment,” said Michelle Davidson, NAF’s director of security.
Between the lines: NAF said that those targeted at abortion clinics are often the same people involved in other violent and extremist activities.
- There is an “overlap” between white nationalists and the anti-abortion movement, with some people heading to abortion clinics also taking part in the Capitol uprising on January 6, according to the report.
The big picture: The new figures come as the federal government prepares for a potential surge in political violence after the Supreme Court rules that could potentially overturn Rowe v. Wade, the report by Sofia Kai of Axios and Steph Kite.
- Law enforcement is investigating threats on social media to burn or attack the Supreme Court building and kill judges and their staff, as well as attacks on places of worship and abortion clinics.
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