Saturday, Nov. 21, the Associated Press published statements from the Cleveland office of the FBI asking police across the country to look for Ronald Stauber and Michael Gingrich who they said "might have information about the sniper slaying of a doctor who performed abortions." This statement is incredible! This is a vicious attack on two activists in the movement to defend a woman's right to choose. For years, Robert Stauber and Michael Gingerich, have been well known and respected activists in the struggle for reproductive rights of women and against police brutality, in particular, and part of the movement to oppose the 'politics of cruelty' in general. These activists are being falsely implicated in the heinous murder of Dr. Barnett Slepian. The FBI is using the brutal murder of Dr. Slepian, who put his life on the line to provide health care and abortions for women, to go after and cast a cloud of suspicion on people who have stood firmly against these types of brutal attacks.
The FBI used the media nationally, and locally, to imply that Gingerich and Stauber were eluding them. In fact, the FBI had been contacted by their attorney and was fully able to reach them. The FBI was angered because Gingerich and Stauber refused to speak with them. The people have a right not to speak to the authorities -- a right these activists exercise because anything you say to them will be used to attack progressive organizations. To take this turn of focusing on Stauber and Gingerich regarding the murder of Dr. Slepian is chillingly bizarre and outrageous. The FBI is acting like they are routinely investigating the murder, but who do they target? People who are supporting women's reproductive freedom and opposing the vicious anti-abortion movement.
Refuse & Resist! denounces this outrageous attack. We call on people and all progressive organizations to oppose this attack and support these courageous fighters in our movement of resistance against the politics of cruelty.
We demand the FBI stop their interrogation and keep their hands off Stauber and Gingerich!
To the racist sand women-haters, to the gay-bashers and welfare slashers, to the prison-builders and executioners, we say: the future is not yours! We will refuse and resist!
Press conference Tuesday November 24 at 5:00 pm
Federal Building, Lakeside and E. 9th Street, Cleveland, Ohio
Refuse & Resist!
Cleveland Chapter
216-556-3512
[posted November 22, 1998]
Reproductive Freedom Index | R&R Main Page
Join Refuse
& Resist!
305 Madison Ave., Suite 1166, New York, NY 10165
Phone: 212-713-5657
email: info@refuseandresist.org