NOW Stands with Dr. Carhart in Nebraska,
Calls for Protection for Clinics Across U.S.

Statement of NOW President Terry O'Neill

I am proud to stand here today with the heroic Dr. LeRoy Carhart and his brave staff at the Abortion & Contraception Clinic of Nebraska, as well as the other fine feminist leaders who join me in saying: This clinic will stay open!

Since the assassination of Dr. George Tiller on May 31, anti-abortion forces have set their sights on Dr. Carhart. Operation Rescue and other opponents of women's reproductive autonomy are descending on this clinic in an attempt to terrorize the workers and their patients, with the ultimate goal of closing down the facility. Because NOW believes that it is every woman's right to have access to the full range of reproductive health care, we are committed to helping defend these courageous providers.

Clinic violence and harassment are domestic terrorism, plain and simple. The hateful rhetoric and attacks have grown bolder this year. As we stand in peaceful support of women's rights in Nebraska, we know that every clinic in the United States is a potential target. I call on the Obama administration to respond to this threat using the strongest means possible, to prosecute the criminals, their funders and their co-conspirators, and to protect every provider, worker and patient across this nation.

Women are counting on us. They must not be denied access to safe, legal abortion — not by harassment or intimidation, not by bullets or bombs. Say it with me: The clinics will stay open!

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Lisa Bennett, 202-628-8669, ext. 123; cell 202-641-1906

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