We are a little more than halfway through 40 Days of Harassment, and the rhetoric outside of our medical office is as hateful as ever.   Our volunteer escorts are working harder, and our patients are more distraught.

You may have seen this week’s front page story in the Albuquerque Journal about our friend and colleague, Dr. Curtis Boyd.  Dr. George Tiller’s murder last year left a void in the availability of late-term abortions, and Dr. Boyd has courageously begun filling that void at his office in Albuquerque.  The story also appeared in today’s Los Angeles Times (http://tinyurl.com/boydabq), and brings attention to the fact that women who need the service can still find it.  Similar stories also appeared on local television news broadcasts.

Reports confirm what we’ve presumed all along – that Operation Rescue has been in contact with our local opposition to discuss strategies for harassing Albuquerque providers and patients.  Many Operation Rescue followers moved to Wichita, Kansas for the purpose of harassing Dr. Tiller out of business.  Since his murder, they have had no one to oppose.  Now they do. 

We knew they would be looking for a new home base in which to set up camp.  They may have found it in the opposition nest that is directly across the street from our medical office.  The hostile head of our local opposition told the reporter that he is in communication with Troy Newman, ‘president’ of Operation Rescue. 

What does this mean for PPNM? 

Bringing Operation Rescue tactics to Albuquerque is concerning for all of us.  Their underlings firebombed Dr. Tiller’s office and attempted his murder.  They deny involvement with Dr. Tiller’s murder, but evidence shows otherwise. 

We expend an extraordinary amount of resources on security for our staff and patients.  It requires elaborate and expensive security systems, training for our staff, volunteers to escort our patients – all of which drain resources from our ability to provide the stellar services for which we are known.  Preparing ourselves for Operation Rescue-style harassment means we need to re-double our efforts – and our resources – to ensure our continued ability to provide needed services to our patients.

We remain steadfast, but we need your support.  Visit us at www.ppnewmex.org, fan us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (PPNewMex) to keep up with us!