Roundup: Abortion Providers Congregate at Tiller's Funeral; Roeder Threatens More Violence

Roundup: Abortion Providers Congregate at Tiller’s Funeral; Roeder Threatens More Violence

Jun 8, 2009, 10:05am

Scott Roeder threatens more anti-clinic violence; abortion providers gather at Tiller's funeral; Washington Post profiles state-level abortion restrictions; Sotomayor submits questionnaire to Senate Judiciary Committee.

Roeder Claims Further Anti-Clinic Violence Is Planned

Alleged murderer of Dr. George Tiller Scott Roeder claims that further
violence against abortion providers and clinics has been planned, the Mail Online reports:

‘I know there are many other similar events planned around the country as long as abortion remains legal,’ Roeder said.

When asked what he meant and if he was referring to another shooting, he refused to elaborate.

It wasn’t clear whether Roeder knew of any impending violence or whether he was simply seeking publicity for his cause.

Nonetheless,
the Justice Department has opened an investigation into whether Roeder
had accomplices, and whether further violence is planned.

Meanwhile,
abortion providers and other reproductive justice advocates from across
the country gathered at Dr. Tiller’s funeral in Wichita, reports ABC News. But the funeral was also the site of protests: "Tiller’s funeral at College Hill United Methodist
Church also drew small groups of protesters. Police and federal
marshals provided heavy security," Fox News reports.

Fox describes the proceedings at the funeral:

Tiller’s daughter, Rebecca, recalled how her
father loved "Star Trek," and gave her a framed poster of Trekkie
sayings for her apartment, which he promised her would bring her
success if she read them each day before going out. Among his favorites
were: "Live long and prosper," and, "When you go out to the universe
remember, boldly go where no man has gone before."

He also was remembered for his generosity and sense of humor.

"Dear
God, get heaven ready, because Mr. Enthusiasm is coming," said Larry
Borcherding, of Overland Park, who first met Tiller a half-century ago
when both were students at the University of Kansas. "Heaven will never
be the same. It will be a better, better place with George in it."

About 700 people filled the church sanctuary and some 200 others watched a closed-circuit television broadcast in another room.

A
large portrait of Tiller hung at the front of the sanctuary, and nearby
was a wreath of flowers with the words "TRUST WOMEN." Some mourners
wore buttons that said "Attitude is Everything."

State-Level Abortion Restrictions Inhibit Access

The Washington Post offers a piece about state-level fights over abortion rights and state-based TRAP ("targeted repeal of abortion providers") Laws:

In states from South Dakota to Texas where the fights are waged,
supporters of a woman’s right to abortion feel increasingly embattled.
Some doctors and clinic personnel feel threatened, particularly since
last week’s slaying in Kansas of physician George Tiller, the nation’s
best-known abortion provider. Others say they simply feel beleaguered.

"The states are the battlegrounds and certainly the testing grounds
of new kinds of restrictions," said Gretchen Borchelt, senior counsel
at the National Women’s Law Center, which defends abortion rights.
"State legislatures can be more creative in what they’re trying to push
and see what works."

The effect of state-level restrictions is to severely compromise access:

What it means in Mississippi, one of the most restrictive states in the
country and a model for antiabortion forces elsewhere, is that a woman
seeking an abortion must go twice to the clinic, at least 24 hours
apart. A girl younger than 18 requires the consent of both parents or a
judge’s signature. Public money is available for very few abortions.

Sotomayor Submits Questionnaire to Senate Judiciary Committee

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor last week submitted a questionnaire to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Roll Call reports (via the Daily Women’s Health Policy Report). Writes the Daily Women’s Health Policy Report,

Sotomayor disclosed a large amount of information in the questionnaire,
such as her net worth and a timeline for when she learned that she was
under consideration by the White House as a potential replacement to retiring
Supreme Court Justice David Souter (Perine, CQ Today, 6/4). According
to Roll Call, Sotomayor’s responses might offer members of both parties
"fodder to support or oppose her nomination."

Other News to Note

June 7: Kansas City Star: Calming the waters in abortion debate

June 8: China View: Family tragedy altered by medical check in early pregnancy in SW China

June 8: All Africa: Zambia: Health Ministry on Track to Reduce Deaths From Unsafe Abortions

June 8: Chicago Tribune: Doctor vigilant about security

June 7: HuffPo: Dr. George Tiller Didn’t Have to Die

June 7: NYTimes: Closed Clinic Leaves Abortion Protesters at a Loss

June 7: LifeNews: Pro-Life News: Obama Approval, Planned Parenthood, Scott Roeder, Abortion, Texas

June 8: Online Journal: After Dr. Tiller’s murder, where to for abortion rights?

June 7: Anderson Cooper: Video: A nation divided over abortion

June 7: News 8 Austin: Parent takes adoption challenges to the next level

June 7: Cleveland Plain-Dealer: Abortion: Columnists erred on pro-life movement’s views