Progressives and moderates still kidding themselves that the anti-abortion movement is only concerned about the fetus should take note of the events swirling around the construction of a new Planned Parenthood clinic in south Austin, Texas. Anti-abortion extremists have successfully intimidated the major building contractor involved in the project to back out of its construction clinic, and pressure remains on sub-contractors to also drop out.
The anti-abortion activists working against the family planning clinic are using tactics similar to those used by right wing extremists against physicians by Operation Rescue, adult businesses by self-tyled “morality” groups, and most recently against corporate media who offend the Far Right by either planning programs or commercials the right wing doesn’t like. The anti-abortion activists employ such tactics as multiple phone calls to the business owners, letters, threats of boycotts, and pressuring those contractors’ pastors.
Pro-reproductive rights progressives and also those merely wishing to provide obstetrical and gynecological services to the poor and disadvantaged should pay attention to the ideology of these anti-abortion activists as well as the other right-wingers cheering these activists on. The leader of the initiative, one Chris Danze, accuses Planned Parenthood of being “a social movement that promotes sexual chaos, especially among our youth. Out of this sexual chaos comes the violence of abortion. This is the heart and soul of this movement.” Texas anti-abortion activists stand by Danze: the head of Texas Right to Life calls him a hero, and the news of the intimidation effort has spread by the Christian Broadcasting Network and other anti-abortion organizations.
This movement illustrates a growing skein of right-wing political thought that deserves to be challenged. In these people’s eyes, not only is contraception equated with abortion, but the very existence of these clinics, even if they provide such services as pap smears, breast cancer examinations, pelvic examinations, and advice on fertility offends them.
EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT
Please consult today’s (Nov 6, 2003) Austin American Statesman for further details.
http://www.statesman.com/nation/content/auto/epaper/editions/thursday/news_f3aa0037d523615f003a.html :grr: