National Abortion Federation Blog: Saporta Reporter
| News about reproductive choice from the President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation, Vicki Saporta. |
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We continue to mourn the loss of our friend and colleague, Dr. George Tiller. Dr. Tiller was a dedicated physician who provided quality abortion care to women, at great personal sacrifice and risk. He is truly a hero to his fellow abortion providers and his patients. Dr. Tiller’s office is filled with letters from women, thanking him for the excellent, compassionate care he provided. Many of these women say Dr. Tiller saved their lives.
Since his tragic death, we have received messages from some of his patients and from people around the world who are saddened and outraged. We feel it is important to share these words and tributes to our beloved colleague and friend. For the first time, we will enable comments on our blog so that all of you can share your condolences or offer memories of Dr. Tiller. We invite you to join us in honoring a true American hero, Dr. George Tiller.
Post your comments, condolences, and personal memories of Dr. Tiller
Convicted Murderer Scott Roeder Sentenced
Today I released the following statement:Today a judge in Wichita, KS sentenced anti-abortion extremist and convicted murderer Scott Roeder to the maximum sentence allowed by Kansas law for the murder of NAF member Dr. George Tiller.
While this won’t bring Dr. Tiller back, it is important that Roeder spend the rest of his life in prison so that he cannot harm another abortion provider. Anyone thinking of committing a similar crime also needs to understand that there is no justification for murdering an abortion provider, and that if they commit such a crime they will spend the rest of their lives in prison.
In January, a Sedgwick County jury took just 37 minutes to convict Roeder of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault. Under Kansas law he faced a mandatory life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years; however, based on aggravating circumstances, prosecutors requested and received a “Hard 50” sentence, which requires Roeder to serve at least 50 years before he can be considered for parole. Roeder is 52 years old.
We hope this sentence will serve as a deterrent for those who may be considering following in Roeder’s footsteps. In a civilized society, we cannot allow anti-abortion extremists to take the law into their own hands in order to advance their own personal, political agendas. Labels: clinic violence, Dr. George Tiller, Kansas, Scott Roeder, violence
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Roeder to go to Trial for Tiller Murder
In a preliminary hearing today, Judge Warren Wilbert determined there was enough evidence to send Scott Roeder, 51, to trial on all charges in connection with the murder of NAF member Dr. George Tiller. Roeder has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault. Roeder entered a plea of not guilty. A trial date is scheduled for September 21, though murder trials are often continued to later dates. Roeder's bond will remain at $20 million. Labels: Dr. George Tiller, Scott Roeder, violence
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International Mourning Day Honors Dr. Tiller
Today, women’s health advocates in Europe participated in an International Mourning Day as a tribute to NAF member Dr. George Tiller and a denunciation of his murder. Abortion clinics in Spain closed for the day, and health care professionals in Italy, Belgium, and France wore black armbands in a show of solidarity. Dr. Tiller is truly a hero to his fellow abortion providers and his patients. We invite you to join those who have posted their memories of Dr. Tiller and condolences to his family on our blog. Labels: Dr. George Tiller, international
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Attorney General Decries Violence Against Abortion Providers
Yesterday, Attorney General Eric Holder renewed his call for stronger hate crimes legislation, citing recent fatal shootings, including the murder of NAF member Dr. George Tiller. Holder said nothing could justify the act. " We will not tolerate murder or the threat of violence masquerading as political activism," he said. "And we will do all that we can to deter violence against reproductive health care providers and to prosecute those who commit such violence to the fullest extent of the law." >See the latest statistics on violence against abortion providers.Labels: Attorney General, Dr. George Tiller, violence
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Dr. Tiller's Family Closes Clinic
Today we released the following statement in response to the announcement that the Tiller family will not re-open Women’s Health Care Services, Inc. in Wichita, KS:For more than 35 years, Women’s Health Care Services, Inc. provided women
from Wichita and around the world with high-quality abortion care. The murder of
our member Dr. George Tiller has been a devastating loss not only for his
family, but for the abortion provider community and the many women who relied on
him for care. We respect the family’s decision to close the clinic, and our
hearts go out to them as they grieve during this very difficult time.
Although Women’s Health Care Services, Inc. will not reopen, our members
remain committed to ensuring that women are able to obtain the abortion care
they need.
>Post your comments, condolences, and personal memories of Dr. Tiller hereLabels: Dr. George Tiller
Remembering NAF Member Dr. George Tiller
 Yesterday, we suffered a tremendous loss when our beloved colleague and friend Dr. George Tiller was murdered in his church in Wichita, Kansas. It is with great respect and sadness that we send his family our heartfelt condolences. We join with our members in remembering and honoring Dr. Tiller’s life and his many contributions to women’s reproductive health care. He was often seen wearing a button that read “Attitude is Everything,” and he maintained an amazing attitude and generosity of spirit throughout his life, despite the adversity he faced on a regular basis. Dr. Tiller learned to live with constant harassment and even survived a previous attempt on his life. However, despite these attacks, Dr. Tiller remained committed to providing women with quality abortion care because he knew how much his work affected and improved their lives. His death is a devastating loss to his family, the abortion provider community, and the women who rely on him for care. He is truly one of our heroes and we will miss him greatly.
>Post a comment or memory about Dr. TillerLabels: Dr. George Tiller
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