MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
JEFFERSON CITY - Abortion clinics in Columbia and Kansas City will continue to observe a high level of security following the fatal bombing of a clinic in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday morning.
"We definitely want to provide a safe environment for our patients and employees," said Shelley Rogers of Planned Parenthood of Mid-Missouri and Eastern Kansas, which operates the two clinics.
The clinics have been on "high alert" since Jan. 1 in anticipation of the recent 25th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court case that legalized abortion.
Planned Parenthood is concerned there might be violence because of the anniversary, Rogers said. She would not discuss specific security measures, but said the clinics are being "very cautious."
Two state abortion groups condemned the bombing.
"People who perpetuate these acts are not pro-life people," said Patty Skain, legislative director of Missouri Right to Life. "Nobody can approve of this kind of activity."
Skain said those in an abortion clinic have as much right to life as the unborn.
Murphy Sullivan, executive director of Missourians for Choice, called the bombing "tragic."
"We don't condone any violent activities," she said. "Some women may be deterred [by] this unnecessary form of violence, however many women in an impossible situation have no choice but to risk their lives as they enter a facility for medical care."
Missouri's five abortion clinics -- the others operate in St. Louis and Springfield -- have not seen any great violence recently, said Coletta Eichenberger of Missouri Alliance for Choice. But the Kansas City clinic has seen some incidents in the past couple years, she said, including an assault on a groundskeeper and a fake bomb left on the front steps.
Eichenberger, vice president for community affairs at Planned Parenthood in Columbia, said bombing a clinic during working hours is "clearly designed to intimidate."
"There is a very good chance that if women feel their personal life and safety are at risk, just going to a clinic that provides abortions is something that makes them think twice," she said.
Columbia police are not increasing patrols around Planned Parenthood due to the Birmingham bombing, but an officer said the area is already well covered by community policing.