Planned Parenthood employees and other reproductive healthcare workers have faced increased threats and harassment since the Center for Medical Progress released videos claiming to show PPFA officials discussing the sale of fetal tissue for research. Good job, pro-life advocates—you have successfully contributed to making Americans less safe.
The release of the videos in July, which PPFA has countered are deceptively edited, spurred five congressional investigations (with the end goal of defunding the organization) and countless condemnations of the organization from Republican politicians and aspiring politicians. Since then, specific reported incidents of harassment at PPFA facilities have become nine times as common, according to a complaint from the National Abortion Federation.
PPFA employees face increased picketing at their houses, stalking, and public intimidation. Reuters reports:
The videos also inspired a torrent of Internet-based death threats against the doctors seen in them, according to a legal complaint filed by the National Abortion Federation, a trade association…
Planned Parenthood clinics in California, Washington, Louisiana and Illinois have reported arson attacks since July, and a clinic in New Hampshire was vandalized with a hatchet.
The violence has led a number of clinics to install increased security, including bulletproof glass, security cameras, and metal detectors.