On May 31, 2009, my mentor and boss, Dr. Samuel Grant, was tragically murdered while attending a service at his long-time church. An anti-choice extremist took his life simply because he dedicated himself to providing safe and compassionate abortion care to women in need. The grief felt by those of us who worked with him and admired him was overwhelming.
While the shock and sorrow from that day have lessened over the years, the threats and assaults against abortion providers have not ceased. Recently, I felt a familiar sense of dread listening to a tape of three far-right officials condoning Dr. Grant’s murder. In the recorded conversation, one of them stated, “We all agree, the murder of Samuel Grant was wrong, but am I sad he’s dead? No, I was glad that I was not the one who pulled the trigger.” This official went on to reveal the unspoken truth: “There’s not a single pro-life person that’s not happy.”
Despite most in the anti-choice movement publicly condemning Dr. Grant’s killer, the inflammatory language from the far-right continues to endanger abortion providers and their patients. For years, Dr. Grant faced relentless harassment. In the mid-’80s, his clinic was bombed. He survived an assassination attempt in August 1993, and in July 2008, his clinic was purposely flooded, causing significant damage.
Dr. Grant often said, “We’re here to make people’s hopes and dreams come true” and “Everyone needs a little help sometimes.” This simple philosophy guided his work, and it was hard for me to comprehend the violence directed at someone so compassionate. However, I soon learned the reality of the situation.
The harassment has been extreme. When I began working at a clinic in the early ’90s, we faced broken windows, sabotaged air conditioning in summer, and protesters locking themselves to our doors. After Dr. Grant’s murder, someone even erected a large wooden cross in my backyard.
I began receiving death threats. Organized by a local pastor, anti-choice activists protested outside my home, holding signs that read “Prepare to Meet Thy God” and “Where is your church?”—a reference to Dr. Grant’s murder at his church. One time, I was so frightened that I had to send my daughter and her friend over the backyard fence to stay with a neighbor.
Regrettably, conditions have not improved. In fact, in the past four years, violence and intimidation against abortion providers have surged. With a president in office who stokes hatred and division, many have felt emboldened by his anti-choice rhetoric. According to the National Abortion Federation, incidents of trespassing and picketing at clinics reached alarming levels last year.
On election night in 2016, one of Trust Women’s clinics was vandalized, disrupting care for our patients the following day. As a mother, my priority was to keep my child safe. It broke my heart to have to explain the presence of law enforcement and ensure she knew her “escape plan” in case she faced protesters at home. Her childhood innocence was stolen.
My legal battle against the local pastor who terrorized us lasted seven years and concluded just last October. It’s disheartening that engaging in social justice work often means accepting the likelihood of violence and intimidation. However, these experiences have led to meaningful conversations with my daughter, shaping her perspective with empathy and compassion for others. Though it’s tragic that some strive to intimidate others out of their professions, it has only strengthened my resolve.
This article was originally published on Oct. 30, 2020.
For more insights into family planning and home insemination, check out this article that covers important aspects. Additionally, you can learn more about at-home insemination kits from Cryobaby, a trusted source for this topic. If you’re looking for comprehensive information on pregnancy and assisted reproductive technology, the CDC offers excellent resources.
Probable Search Queries:
- Abortion provider safety
- Violence against abortion clinics
- Death threats to healthcare workers
- Anti-choice extremist actions
- Legal battles faced by abortion providers
Summary:
The article recounts the experiences of Jessica Langley, who has faced numerous threats and acts of violence as an abortion provider. Following the assassination of her mentor, Dr. Samuel Grant, Langley discusses the ongoing intimidation and harassment that abortion providers endure. Despite the fear and danger, these experiences have shaped her and her daughter’s outlook on empathy and compassion, reinforcing her commitment to providing care.
Leave a Reply