Operation Rescue (Kansas)

Operation Rescue (formerly Operation Rescue West or California Operation Rescue) is an American anti-abortion organization. It describes itself on its webpage as "one of the leading Pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation."[1] It engages in activities that it describes as "on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates."[1] The organization originated in California and is now based in Kansas.

Operation Rescue West was founded by Operation Rescue's tactical director, Jeff White, as a branch of Randall Terry's original Operation Rescue organization. Under Jeff White, Operation Rescue West maintained its focus on abortion. 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,[2][3][4] to focus its efforts on late-term abortion provider George Tiller, who was assassinated in 2009.

Activities

After the FACE (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances)[5][6] bill was signed into law by then-president Bill Clinton, Operation Rescue West implemented new tactics that did not involve arrest.

Operation Rescue operates a fleet of what it refers to as “Truth Trucks”, large panel vehicles that bear images of aborted fetuses.[7] These “Truth Trucks” travel around the nation showing what Operation Rescue describes as “grisly truth about abortion.”

Abortion Whistle Blowers program

The organization offers a $25,000 incentive for reports of criminal activity at abortion clinics which leads to a criminal conviction.[8] Kim Nichols, a former employee at an abortion clinic, received the first award in 2011. She reported Rapin Osathanondh who performed an abortion resulting in the death of Laura Hope Smith, the daughter of Eileen Smith.[9]

Malachi Award

The Malachi Award is an annual award given for service to the pro-life movement. It is named after a fetus discovered outside of an abortion clinic in Texas. The name means "my messenger" and was given to the fetus by the executive secretary of New York Lambs of Christ.[10][11]

Recipients of Operation Save America's Annual Malachi Award
Name Year Reason Note
Phill Kline[12] 2006 Investigations of George Tiller and Planned Parenthood[12]
Leslee Unruh Spearheading the South Dakota abortion ban.[12]
Johnny Hunter Exposing what the group believes to be the devastating effects of abortion on the African American community[13]
Lila Rose 2008 For exposing illegal activity in abortion clinics[14][15][16]
James Pouillon 2009 Murdered at a pro-life protest at Owosso High School[13] Awarded posthumously
Eileen Smith 2010 Her daughter died during an abortion procedure; the doctor who performed the procedure pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was imprisoned.[17][18]

Lawsuit over use of name

Randall Terry filed a lawsuit against Troy Newman in 2008, alleging misuse of the name "Operation Rescue." Former Rescue leaders, including Keith Tucci (director), Patrick Mahoney (media director), Jeff White (tactical director) have signed a statement in support of Newman. “We now feel compelled to speak up because Randall’s actions are hurting the work of Troy Newman and Operation Rescue in their efforts to see George Tiller end his barbaric abortion practices in Wichita, Kansas. Additionally, we can no longer remain silent while Mr. Terry continues to fleece unsuspecting pro-life people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars for his personal and selfish gain.” The organization lost its non-profit, tax-exempt organization status which was revoked by the Internal Revenue Service in September 2006.[19][20] Randall Terry feels that, as the initial creator of the organization, he has ownership of the Operation Rescue trademark. Terry headed the organization he started in 1987 until 1991.

George Tiller

Efforts against Tiller

Operation Rescue has publicized a number of allegedly "botched" abortions[21] at Tiller’s Women’s Health Care Services, including the death of Christin A. Gilbert following a third-trimester abortion.[22] Operation Rescue staff have also investigated and made allegations[23] regarding other facilities around the country.[24][25] Dr. Tiller was cleared of any charges of medical neglect in the death of Christin Gilbert.

In September 2006, Newman and "personhood" pro-life activist Keith Mason 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. Flora was fined $100 in return for a nolo plea. Newman later launched a $75,000 lawsuit against Flora which was dismissed. As of September 8, 2006, Youth Ministries Inc. (the incorporated name for Operation Rescue) had its 501(c)(3) status revoked by the IRS, following charges of improper use of contributions, and illegal endorsements of political candidates.[26]

Operation Rescue also worked to mobilize 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 planned a rally in front of the offices of ADA Nora Foulston, to present evidence of mass murder against Tiller.

Response to Tiller's murder

On May 31, 2009, Tiller was assassinated in his church. Scott Roeder of Merriam, KS was convicted of first degree murder in the shooting. Operation Rescue denounced Tiller's murder in numerous statements, describing it as "cowardly"[27][28] and "antithetical to what we believe".[29] The group also said that Roeder had "never been a member, contributor, or volunteer with Operation Rescue."[30] Roeder responded to Newman's charges by declaring, "Well, my gosh. I've got probably a thousand dollars worth of receipts, at least, from the money I've donated to him."[31]

The phone number for Operation Rescue's senior policy advisor, Cheryl Sullenger, was found on the dashboard of Scott Roeder's car.[32] At first Sullenger, who was convicted for conspiring to blow up a California abortion clinic in 1988, denied any contact with him, saying that her phone number is freely available online. Then, she revised her statements, indicating that she informed Scott Roeder of where Dr Tiller would be at specific times:

"He would call and say, 'When does court start? When’s the next hearing?'" Sullenger said. "I was polite enough to give him the information. I had no reason not to. Who knew? Who knew, you know what I mean?"[33]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Who We Are". Operationrescue.org. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  2. ↑ National Public Radio: What's Next For Slain Abortion Doctor's Clinic? June 9, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Notorious Abortionists George Tiller & LeRoy Carhart Team Up to Celebrate 29 Years of Killing God's Children in Wichita - Three Press Releases". Operation Save America. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  4. ↑ "About Operation Rescue". Operationrescue.org. March 12, 2004. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  5. ↑ Archived November 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ "Committee Reports - 104th Congress (1995-1996) - Senate Report 104-022". Thomas.loc.gov. September 30, 1994. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  7. ↑ Protesters Who Push Limits, Los Angeles Times, February 17, 2004
  8. ↑ "Abortion Whistleblowers – Earn A $25,000 Reward!". Operationrescue.org. January 14, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Former Abortion Worker to Receive First Abortion Whistleblower Reward of $25,000". Operationrescue.org. January 20, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Culture". Onenewsnow.com. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  11. ↑ New York Lambs of Christ. "Baby Malachi, A History". Priests for Life. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  12. 1 2 3 "Operation Rescue Announces 2006 Recipients of the Malachi Man and Woman of the Year Awards". Christian Newswire. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  13. 1 2 "Slain Activist James Pouillon Named Operation Rescue’s 2009 “Person of the Year”". Operationrescue.org. December 16, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Lila Rose Chosen As Operation Rescue’s 2008 Person Of The Year". Operationrescue.org. December 30, 2008. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Planned Parenthood ‘Stung’ By Lila Rose | Politics". Religion Dispatches. June 18, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  16. ↑ Archived July 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  17. ↑ Ballou, Brian R. (September 15, 2010). "Ex-doctor sentenced to prison in death of abortion patient". Boston Globe.
  18. ↑ "Crusading Mom Eileen Smith Named Operation Rescue’s 2010 Person of the Year". Operationrescue.org. December 29, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  19. ↑ Leaders battle over rights to 'Operation Rescue', Topeka Capital Journal, (AP), June 1, 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  20. ↑ Archived February 15, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  21. ↑ "justiceforchristin.com". justiceforchristin.com. January 13, 2005. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  22. ↑ Cheryl Sullenger. "In Memory of Christin". Justiceforchristin.com. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Illegal Fetal Age Deception Scheme Uncovered At Tiller’s Abortion Clinic". Operationrescue.org. January 12, 2009. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  24. ↑ Archived February 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  25. ↑ "Pro-life Whistleblower Is Billed $1,100, Abortionist Hodari Fined Nothing For Illegal Dumping". Operationrescue.org. March 26, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  26. ↑ Archived May 19, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  27. ↑ "Operation Rescue Denounces The Killing of Abortionist Tiller". Operationrescue.org. May 31, 2009. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  28. ↑ US abortion doctor is shot dead, BBC, June 1, 2009, retrieved June 1, 2009
  29. ↑ Monica Davey and Joe Stumpe (May 31, 2009), Doctor Who Performed Abortions Is Shot to Death, New York Times, retrieved May 31, 2009
  30. ↑ "Operation Rescue Statement Regarding Suspect In Tiller Killing". Operationrescue.org. June 1, 2009. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  31. ↑ Thomas, Judy. "Roeder Upset at Operation Rescue." Wichita Eagle July 26, 2009: A1.
  32. ↑ "Phone number found inside car of man suspected of killing George Tiller belongs to woman who plotted 1988 clinic bombing". Pitch. June 1, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2009.
  33. ↑ "Operation Rescue adviser helped Tiller suspect track doctor's court dates". McClatchy. June 3, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2009.

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