Untitled…

June 1, 2009 by Angry Black Bitch

I’m just going to let this one go where it wants to go.

When I think about the murder of Dr. Tiller, who was shot and killed while attending church yesterday, I can’t help but think of his family, friends and colleagues. I can’t help but hurt for them and their loss…for the church members who will be forever changed by this terrorist attack…for his children and grandchildren who are now left with memories…and for the staff of his clinic who have been so brave in the face of vicious attacks and the constant threat of violence.

And I hurt for his wife…oh, how I hurt for that woman…who was at worship when a shot rang out and took her husband’s life in their church home.

My thoughts also turn to the impact of terrorism…to the root motivation of acts of violence that centers around increasing fear to a level that discourages action.

But my mind always returns to the work…to the patients and the practice of providing safe and affordable reproductive healthcare to women in America.

And I shall not be moved.

Oh, I am also thinking of the walk many of us take from parking lots into reproductive health clinics that are targeted by anti-choice protestors…protestors who, despite their well phrased statements of condemnation, will seek to gain power through the residue left behind when a terrorist attacks a provider.

And I know…I am absolutely certain…that I shall not be moved.

Today those of us who work for reproductive justice will continue our work with heavy hearts, mournful concern and dedicated service.

And we shall not be moved.

The struggle to protect the truth of Dr. Tiller’s work…his faith that “Women and Families are intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and ethically competent to struggle with complex health issues — including abortion — and come to decisions that are appropriate for themselves.”…will continue.

Because we are fighting for our freedom, we shall not be moved.

Crossposted from the Angry Black Bitch.

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