For Immediate Release
Monday, December 11, 2000
Today, we stand in support of Dr. James Pendergraft, who has been indicted on federal conspiracy charges. Let us be clear: this case is nothing more than a political persecution that is motivated by anti-abortion politics in the highest levels of government. This is part of an ongoing, well-documented campaign to keep Dr. Pendergraft out of Ocala, FL. Even before opening his health care facility in Ocala, he received a signed letter from the chairman of the Marion County Board of Commissioners, Larry Crutel, "suggesting" he reconsider his decision. Dr. Pendergraft is a high profile African-American abortion provider specializing in high-risk cases. We believe that if Dr. Pendergraft were a high profile white heart surgeon, the case pending in court today would not exist.
The national war on abortion providers continues, with Florida being one of the most violent anti-abortion states in the country. Two providers and one escort have been murdered here at the hands of "peaceful" anti-abortion protesters. There have been many firebombings, anthrax and butyric acid attacks, and even the Ku Klux Klan has demonstrated in front of several clinics in full uniform. And now, the local government in Ocala has teamed up with the Federal government in an unprecedented legal case against an abortion provider, which carries a thirty-year sentence if convicted. This prosecution further contributes to the threatening climate providers already face as they put their lives on the line daily. The chilling message is, as Katha Pollit put it in her recent editorial in The Nation, "If the arsonists don't get you, litigation may." We would like to add to that quote, "If murder and the arsonists don't get you, litigation may."
Refuse & Resist! stands with the many supporters here today, and the thousands that are watching this trial from all over the country. Dr. Pendergraft is a hero for continuing his commitment to provide safe abortions to women who need them, and refusing to be silenced and victimized by this newest strategy by anti-abortionists to keep doctors from providing abortions. And for that, Dr. Pendergraft was honored with a Courageous Resister Award by Refuse & Resist! at a recent event in New York City. Representatives of many national pro-choice organizations attended this inspiring event.
Refuse & Resist! says "It is all one attack!" We see the attacks on abortion providers as a part of the current climate that is dismantling welfare and affirmative action, speeding up state executions, promoting the epidemic of police brutality, denying political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal a new trial, dehumanizing immigrants, and continuing attacks on gays and lesbians. We are all fighting one political agendawhich is truly a politics of cruelty. We will Refuse & Resist!
[posted 12/10/00]
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