History of Operation Rescue
Encyclopedia
The history of Operation Rescue involves a split between the original American anti-abortion group and a branch of the original group. The original Operation Rescue group is now known as Operation Save America, while the branch, once known as Operation Rescue West is now known as Operation Rescue. The branch has become more prominent than the original group, and many supporters of the original group now support the branch (which now bears the original group's name).
in 1986. The slogan of Operation Rescue was "If you believe abortion is murder, act like it's murder." Randall Terry stepped down as director of Operation Rescue in 1989, appointing Keith Tucci to lead the national organization, now Operation Rescue National (ORN), as his successor.
Operation Rescue National's initial tactics involved peaceful sit-in demonstrations at abortion clinics, inspired by the civil rights demonstrations led by Dr. King in the 1960s. Operation Rescue National sprang to prominence during the 1988 Democratic National Convention
in Atlanta, Georgia
, where hundreds of demonstrators were arrested, capturing national attention. Independent Operation Rescue organizations cropped up around the country during these early years, the most successful of which was the California
organization, Operation Rescue West (ORW), founded by ORN’s national tactical director, Jeff White. More than 40,000 people were arrested during ORN's anti-abortion demonstrations over the first four years.
The National Organization for Women
and several abortion clinic
s filed a lawsuit, NOW v. Scheidler against ORN in 1988. The suit alleged violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
(RICO), which were rejected by the Supreme Court of the United States
.
into law in 1994, blockading clinics became prohibitively expensive, and the organization turned to different tactics.
, led by Keith Tucci. Thousands of anti-abortion protesters flocked to Wichita and were arrested at sit-in
protests and blockades of clinic entrances and adjacent streets. The protests were held at three different clinic locations in Wichita but focused on George Tiller
's abortion clinic. Over 1,600 arrests took place during the first three weeks, with thousands of locals gathering and dozens of clergy people becoming involved. The event lasted six weeks, with over 2,600 arrests accomplished by the Wichita Police Department. The protests culminated in a rally that filled Cessna Stadium, featuring Pat Robertson
. The New York Times
ran an article on August 4, 1991, quoting John Snow, a retired accountant who sat on the sidewalk across from Tiller's clinic in Wichita, dispensing Kool-Aid and saying the rosary. "'They're in there killing babies, nothing else, ma'am,' Mr. Snow said."
Despite the large numbers of arrests, Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry was quoted as saying "The Wichita Police handled the Operation Rescue event better than almost any police department in history." As a result, Wichita Police Chief Rick Stone received the United States Department of Justice Marshal's Service "Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award" for his "outstanding professionalism and law enforcement leadership".
In contrast, Keith Tucci departed as director of Operation Rescue after the "Summer of Mercy" in Wichita.
mayor Jimmy Griffin invited ORN for the so-called “Spring of Life.” The event became ORN's biggest public relations coup, when thousands of out-of-area protesters on both sides of the argument descended on Buffalo and Amherst
, and massive riots took place. The crisis and financial hardship that the city endured because of the incidents was believed to have brought down the Griffin administration later that year. In 1994, Flip Benham became the director of ORN.
On August 10, 1995, Norma McCorvey
, who was "Jane Roe" in the 1973 Roe v. Wade
Supreme Court
decision, announced that she was a member of ORN, and had converted to Christianity as a result of having repeated contact with Flip Benham and ORN since she worked near its headquarters office.
1980s
Operation Rescue was founded by Randall TerryRandall Terry
Randall Almira Terry is an American pro-life activist and candidate for the Democratic Party's nomination for President in 2012. Terry founded the pro-life organization Operation Rescue. The group became particularly prominent beginning in 1987 for blockading the entrances to abortion clinics;...
in 1986. The slogan of Operation Rescue was "If you believe abortion is murder, act like it's murder." Randall Terry stepped down as director of Operation Rescue in 1989, appointing Keith Tucci to lead the national organization, now Operation Rescue National (ORN), as his successor.
Operation Rescue National's initial tactics involved peaceful sit-in demonstrations at abortion clinics, inspired by the civil rights demonstrations led by Dr. King in the 1960s. Operation Rescue National sprang to prominence during the 1988 Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
in Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, where hundreds of demonstrators were arrested, capturing national attention. Independent Operation Rescue organizations cropped up around the country during these early years, the most successful of which was the California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
organization, Operation Rescue West (ORW), founded by ORN’s national tactical director, Jeff White. More than 40,000 people were arrested during ORN's anti-abortion demonstrations over the first four years.
The National Organization for Women
National Organization for Women
The National Organization for Women is the largest feminist organization in the United States. It was founded in 1966 and has a membership of 500,000 contributing members. The organization consists of 550 chapters in all 50 U.S...
and several abortion clinic
Abortion clinic
An abortion clinic is a medical facility that primarily performs or specializes in abortions. Such clinics may be public medical centers or private medical practices.-Canada:*There were 197 abortion providers in Canada in 2001....
s filed a lawsuit, NOW v. Scheidler against ORN in 1988. The suit alleged violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization...
(RICO), which were rejected by the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
.
1990s
ORN continued to grow into the early 1990s, targeting abortion clinics across the country. However, after President Clinton signed the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances ActFreedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act
The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act is a United States law that was signed by President Bill Clinton in May of 1994, which prohibits the following three things: the use of physical force, threat of physical force, or physical obstruction to intentionally injure, intimidate, interfere...
into law in 1994, blockading clinics became prohibitively expensive, and the organization turned to different tactics.
Summer of Mercy
ORN's activities gained attention again in 1991 during the “Summer of Mercy” in Wichita, KansasWichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
, led by Keith Tucci. Thousands of anti-abortion protesters flocked to Wichita and were arrested at sit-in
Sit-in
A sit-in or sit-down is a form of protest that involves occupying seats or sitting down on the floor of an establishment.-Process:In a sit-in, protesters remain until they are evicted, usually by force, or arrested, or until their requests have been met...
protests and blockades of clinic entrances and adjacent streets. The protests were held at three different clinic locations in Wichita but focused on George Tiller
George Tiller
George Richard Tiller, MD was an American physician from Wichita, Kansas. He was the medical director of a clinic in Wichita, Women's Health Care Services, one of only three nationwide which provided abortions after the 21st week of pregnancy .Pro-life group Operation Rescue kept a daily vigil...
's abortion clinic. Over 1,600 arrests took place during the first three weeks, with thousands of locals gathering and dozens of clergy people becoming involved. The event lasted six weeks, with over 2,600 arrests accomplished by the Wichita Police Department. The protests culminated in a rally that filled Cessna Stadium, featuring Pat Robertson
Pat Robertson
Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson is a media mogul, television evangelist, ex-Baptist minister and businessman who is politically aligned with the Christian Right in the United States....
. The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
ran an article on August 4, 1991, quoting John Snow, a retired accountant who sat on the sidewalk across from Tiller's clinic in Wichita, dispensing Kool-Aid and saying the rosary. "'They're in there killing babies, nothing else, ma'am,' Mr. Snow said."
Despite the large numbers of arrests, Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry was quoted as saying "The Wichita Police handled the Operation Rescue event better than almost any police department in history." As a result, Wichita Police Chief Rick Stone received the United States Department of Justice Marshal's Service "Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award" for his "outstanding professionalism and law enforcement leadership".
In contrast, Keith Tucci departed as director of Operation Rescue after the "Summer of Mercy" in Wichita.
Later activities
ORN made an attempt at a similar success in 1992 when BuffaloBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
mayor Jimmy Griffin invited ORN for the so-called “Spring of Life.” The event became ORN's biggest public relations coup, when thousands of out-of-area protesters on both sides of the argument descended on Buffalo and Amherst
Amherst, New York
Amherst is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 122,366. This represents an increase of 5.0% from the 2000 census. The town is named for Jeffrey Amherst, a British Army officer of the colonial period...
, and massive riots took place. The crisis and financial hardship that the city endured because of the incidents was believed to have brought down the Griffin administration later that year. In 1994, Flip Benham became the director of ORN.
On August 10, 1995, Norma McCorvey
Norma McCorvey
Norma Leah McCorvey , better known by the legal pseudonym "Jane Roe", was the plaintiff in the landmark American lawsuit Roe v. Wade in 1973. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned individual states' laws against abortion by ruling them unconstitutional...
, who was "Jane Roe" in the 1973 Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade, , was a controversial landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court on the issue of abortion. The Court decided that a right to privacy under the due process clause in the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution extends to a woman's decision to have an abortion,...
Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
decision, announced that she was a member of ORN, and had converted to Christianity as a result of having repeated contact with Flip Benham and ORN since she worked near its headquarters office.
Name dispute
In 1999, Operation Rescue West changed hands when Jeff White stepped down from his position as director and transferred the leadership to Troy Newman. Newman moved ORW from California to Kansas, and dropped the word West from the group's name, simply calling the organization Operation Rescue. After a dispute between Flip Benham and Troy Newman over the use of the Operation Rescue name, and after Benham was named in a lawsuit, Flip Benham changed the name of his group, Operation Rescue National to Operation Save America. The former Operation Rescue West retained the name of Operation Rescue.See also
- Operation Rescue (Kansas), formerly Operation Rescue West or California Operation Rescue
- Operation Save AmericaOperation Save AmericaOperation Save America is an organization based in Dallas, Texas, that opposes human induced abortion and its legality. In 1994, Flip Benham became the director of the organization, then called Operation Rescue National. Benham replaced Keith Tucci, who had replaced Randall Terry...
, formerly Operation Rescue and later Operation Rescue National - George TillerGeorge TillerGeorge Richard Tiller, MD was an American physician from Wichita, Kansas. He was the medical director of a clinic in Wichita, Women's Health Care Services, one of only three nationwide which provided abortions after the 21st week of pregnancy .Pro-life group Operation Rescue kept a daily vigil...
, the target of much of the group's attention
Sources
- Live From the Gates of Hell: An Insider's Look at the Antiabortion Underground by Jerry Reiter (2000) ISBN 1-57392-840-2
- Operation Rescue: A Challenge to the Nation's Conscience by Philip F. Lawler (1992) ISBN 0-87973-506-6
- "METRO DATELINES; Anti-Abortion Group Will Close Its Offices", The New York Times, December 17, 1990
- Jim Risen & Judy L. Thomas, Wrath of Angels: The American Abortion War (1998)
- New York Times Sept 15, 2006 "Anti-Abortion Group Loses Tax Exemption" by Stephanie Strom
- Man's views change radically 2001 Jerry Reiter interview
- Clinics Prepare for Operation Rescue 1993
- CourtTV
External links
- Operation Rescue, formerly Operation Rescue West
- Operation Save America, formerly Operation Rescue and later Operation Rescue National