In a major victory for women's rights, the National Organization for Women won its 12-year battle to put the anti-abortion racketeers out of business.  "A jury of six men and women saw through the thugs' shameless attempt to pervert the First Amendment.  Our evidence and witnesses proved the defendants engaged in a nationwide conspiracy to deny women access to medical facilities," said NOW  President Patricia Ireland in celebrating the unanimous verdict in NOW v. Scheidler.

Ireland recalled clinic blockades, arson and firebombing as she described the impact this verdict will have on women's access to abortion -- a constitutional right.  "The defendants' radical campaign to force all of us to adhere to their own narrow views about abortion crossed the line into racketeering when they orchestrated this national network of violence.  The recognition of their conspiracy will go a long way toward ensuring women's access to the services provided at abortion clinics across the country," she said.

"We cannot tolerate the use of threats and force by one group to impose its views on others," said lead attorney Fay Clayton.

With this verdict, NOW will win a permanent injunction against the defendants' blockades, extortion and other use of force or violence at clinics.  In addition, the plaintiff clinics will petition for triple damages, as allowed by the federal Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act under which the suit was brought.

Under NOW's Project Stand Up for Women, NOW trained volunteers to defend clinics against the aggressive blockades arranged by the defendants.  In addition, activists lobbied Congress to enact the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.  NOW chapter members were also trained to apply for local injunctions against groups such as Operation Rescue and the Pro-Life Action League  -- just two of the defendants in NOW v. Scheidler.  As local authorities varied in their commitment to keeping the clinics open , the network of injunctions was loose; with this verdict, a permanent injunction will fill in the gaps and ensure access for women across the country.