Operation Rescue
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Operation Rescue is a pro-life group founded by Randall Terry in the late 1980s. Operation Rescue sprang to prominence during the 1988 Democratic Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, where hundreds of arrests for peaceful civil disobedience took place, capturing national attention.
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[edit] Kansas protests
The high water mark for the civil disobedience aspect of Operation Rescue's ministry came in 1991 during the “Summer of Mercy” in Wichita, Kansas. Thousands of pro-life protesters flocked to Wichita and were arrested at sit-ins (known as "rescues"), at a late-term abortion clinic owned and operated by George R. Tiller, and what was then known as Wichita Family Planning, where a large "rescue" involving members of the clergy took place. The event lasted six weeks and culminated in a large rally that filled Cessna Stadium and featured pro-life leaders such as Dr. James Dobson. An attempt at a similar success happened in 1993 when Buffalo mayor Jimmy Griffin invited Operation Rescue for the so-called "Spring of Life." Thousands of out-of-area prostesters on both sides of the argument descended on Buffalo and Amherst causing massive riots and severe financial distress because of the additional security necessary to control the often out-of-hand protesters.
Independent Operation Rescue organizations cropped up around the country during these early years, the most successful of which was the California organization, Operation Rescue West, run by OR’s national tactical director, Jeff White.
Randall Terry stepped down from Operation Rescue in 1989. Keith Tucci then led the national organization through the 1991 Summer of Mercy then was replaced by Philip “Flip” Benham. In 1997, Benham changed the name of Operation Rescue National to “Operation Save America,” and broadened the scope of the organization to include issues surrounding homosexuality, pornography, and Islam. Benham also renounced the use of violence and formed alliances with Christian conservative groups and the Constitution Party.
[edit] Split with Operation Save America
The California Operation Rescue organization under Jeff White stayed true to the original intent of the organization and maintained its focus on the abortion issue, naming itself Operation Rescue West. White stepped down in 1999 following an $880,000 judgment against his organization for harassment and intimidation of Planned Parenthood staff and handed the organization over to the leadership of Troy Newman. In 2002, Newman moved the headquarters to Wichita, Kansas, to focus its efforts on George Tiller, and in 2002 dropped the “West” from its moniker. Newman has publicly shown support for Shelly Shannon who shot and wounded Dr. Tiller in 1993; and James Kopp, who is serving a prison sentence for the Buffalo, NY murder of Dr. George Slepian in 1998. Newman and Benham's groups have clashed over the issue of violence as well as the "Operation Rescue legacy".
[edit] Activism
The group operates a fleet of so-called "Truth Trucks," large panel vehicles that bear images of aborted fetuses. These "Truth Trucks" travel around the nation showing what Operation Rescue calls the "grisly truth about abortion." Such images are often criticized as intentionally shocking and insensitive given how sensitive an issue abortion often is.
In June 2006, Operation Rescue bought the building housing Wichita’s smaller abortion clinic, Central Women’s Services, (once known as Wichita Family Planning), after the business had been purchased by Dr. George Tiller. Dr. Tiller was cleared of any charges of medical neglect in the death of Christin Gilbert. The group claims to have contributed to a 16% drop in abortions in Kansas over a three year period, however this is not substantiated by any data.
In September 2006, Newman and Army of God member Jonathan O'Toole showed up at an open-air gubernatorial debate dressed as cockroaches, protesting alleged unsanitary conditions at Tiller's clinic. Democratic State Rep. Vaughn Flora (Topeka) recognized Newman, tore his mask off, and was arrested for battery. The misdemeanor charge was later put aside due to Flora's status as an elected public official (under Kansas law he cannot be put on trial until he leaves office). Newman has said he will not press further with the charge.
Later that year, Operation Rescue lost its tax-exempt status following charges of improper use of contributions, and illegal endorsements of political candidates, and is currently under investigation on charges of money laundering and tax evasion. (New York Times Sept 15, 2006 "Anti-Abortion Group Loses Tax Exemption" by Stephanie Strom)
Current activities include working on mobilizing support in the Kansas State Legislature to order the newly-elected Attorney General, Democrat Paul Morrison, to reinstate misdemeanor charges that were dismissed on jurisdictional grounds against Dr. Tiller. The group plans a rally in front of the offices of ADA Nora Foulston in May, where they will present evidence of mass murder against Tiller.
[edit] References
- Jim Risen & Judy L. Thomas, Wrath of Angels: The American Abortion War (1998)
