Protesters hold vigil outside Supreme Court, call for end of 'anti-abortion terrorism'
WASHINGTON - Dozens of protesters gathered in front of the Supreme Court stairs holdings signs with slogans like "Stop anti-abortion terrorism."
It is a fitting location to ask for justice for the three victims killed in the Colorado Springs shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic Friday, and for reproductive health care clinics, the protesters say, have become targets of violence in recent years.
"Anti-abortion terrorism and the tolerance to it in the United States -- for far too long we've tolerated a poisonous rhetorical climate," said Erin Matson, the co-founder of Reproaction.
"The thing we're asking for right now is that the Department of Justice begins to investigate these attacks as what they are -- domestic terrorism," said Mitchell Stille of NARAL Pro-Choice America.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) showed her support for the protesters and for funding Planned Parenthood.
"I have never seen such a blatant attack on women's health and women's reproductive rights on abortion," said Congresswoman Schakowsky.
Two pro-life protesters also stood in the rain with a strong message of their own.
"We are against all abortion-related violence, including violence in the womb from abortion," said Lauren Handy, an anti-abortion activist.