BY VALERHE JOHNSON
NEW YORK - Across North America, supporters of women's right to choose abortion are protesting the October 23 assassination of Dr. Barnett Slepian, an obstetrician and gynecologist who provided abortions in Buffalo, New York. Vigils and rallies have been held from Buffalo to New York City and Vancouver, British Columbia, and more are planned in the coming days.

Slepian, 52, was shot through the back with a high-powered rifle as he stood talking with his wife and 15-year-old son in the kitchen of their home in Amherst, New York.

The doctor and his family had received numerous threats by rightist opponents of a woman's right to choose over the years. In 1992, Slepian was among the targets of a campaign by the rightist organization Operation Rescue to shut down clinics that provide abortions in Buffalo and other cities. At the clinic where Slepian worked, hundreds of pro-choice supporters mobilized to keep this clinic open and handed Operation Rescue a defeat.

The day Slepian was killed, the Buffalo clinic received a two-page fax from the National Abortion Federation urging doctors to beware of sniper attacks. According to the October 26 New York Times, the message stated, "Do not assume that you are safe once you are at home. Close the drapes in your house so you are not visible from outside." His wife, Lynn Slepian, called the Amherst police informing them of the letter. No patrol car or any other form of protection was provided in spite of the possibility of a violent attack.

In the last five years three Canadian doctors and a physician in Rochester, New York, all of whom perform abortions, were wounded by snipers in their homes in the days leading up to November 11. The holiday known as Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the United States has been embraced by rightist antichoice opponents for these attacks.

The murder of Slepian follows the 1993 killing of Dr. David Gunn in Pensacola, Florida; the murder of Dr. John Britton and volunteer clinic escort James Barrett in that city a year later; the killing of Dr. George Patterson in Mobile, Alabama, in 1993; and the deaths of clinic workers Leanne Nichols and Shannon Lowney in an assault on a women's health clinic in Brookline, Massachusetts, in December 1994. These murders have been accompanied by the bombing and arson of clinics, physical assaults on doctors, staff, and others, picketing people's places of work as well as their home, death threats, and other acts of intimidation. Two clinics in North Carolina were firebombed as recently as September 8.

About 300 people attended a vigil in midtown Manhattan October 27 to honor Slepian's life and work. The action was called by the New York chapter of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) New York.

A message from David Gunn Jr., son of Dr. David Gunn, was circulated at the New York protest. "As many of you know, Dr. Barnett Slepian is the latest casualty in an increasing war on civil liberties," it read. "As churches burn throughout the Southeast, homosexuals are beaten to death in the Northwest... and yet another abortion provider is dead in the morgue, victim of an assassin's bullet."

The protest was built in a few days through women's health clinics, the internet, and word of mouth. The participants were mainly pro-choice activists and women's health-care workers. Among the demonstrators were a substantial number of young men. Some passersby also joined in the action. Among the signs people brought were some linking the killing of Slepian and the fight for the right to choose abortion to the fight against antigay violence.

Leaders from the sponsoring organizations addressed the gathering, as well as a number of politicians. Norman Seigle, director of NY-ACLU, stated "Tonight we call upon the federal government and the Attorney General to do their jobs." He explained that physicians who practice abortion services "have a right to protection too," pointing out the extensive resources the government employs to protect federal buildings from so-called terrorists.

In an open mike session a number of speakers expressed their outrage over the murder of Slepian and the need to return to the streets in order to defend a woman's right to choose. Socialist Workers Party candidate for governor Al Duncan stated, "The entire labor movement has a stake in this fight. People like those who killed Dr. Slepian are not just dangerous individuals. They are part of the beginnings of a fascist movement whose ultimate target is not only women, but the institutions and fighting will of the working class."

Pro-choice forces have put out the call for a car caravan and rally October 31 in Buffalo. The rally will be at 1:00 p.m. in Niagara Square. For more information call (716) 852-6120 Ext. 238. The Wayne State Student Association in Detroit has called a vigil for October 30, and other actions are in the works across the country.

Valerie Johnson is a member of the United Transportation Union Local 1447.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - About 120 people joined in a candle light vigil in a downtown Vancouver's Thornton Park October 27 to protest the murder of Dr. Barnett Slepian. Sponsored by the Pro-Choice Action Network, the theme was "We will not be intimidated." Joyce Arthur from Pro-Choice Action Network said that Slepian "defended to the death a woman's right to an abortion. We will never forget his sacrifice." Arthur insisted that "the leaders of the antichoice movement have blood on their hands."

A spokesperson for the Elizabeth Bagshaw Woman's Health Centre said that since 1991 there have been seven murders and 15 attacks on doctors and other workers in abortion clinics, including three in Canada. She said that in "this climate of intolerance and fear-mongering, all citizens must step forward to protest this act of terrorism." To loud applause she added, "Our abortion services remain open, accessible, and safe."

At a Toronto press conference well-known abortion rights activist Dr. Henry Morgentaler challenged Premier Jean Chrétien "to direct the appropriate government agencies and police forces to do their utmost to protect doctors providing services." Dr. Ellen Wiebe, a Vancouver doctor who performs abortions, quoted in the Globe and Mail, denounced city police for refusing her request for protection after Slepian's slaying. "I'm very angry about it. They told me there were too many of us to be protected." There are less than 20 doctors who provide abortions in the Vancouver area she explained. Many of them plan to be out of town in November, the month that many of the previous attacks have taken place.

Vancouver police said they don't have the resources to respond to requests from city doctors for additional security. Instead of providing police protection to the doctors, BC Health Minister Penny Priddy announced two new "bubble zones" barring antiabortion protests at the Vancouver General Hospital where the rightists have been picketing. She also called on the federal government to approve the abortion pill RU-486 in order to "reduce the risk to care providers." Wiebe said some doctors are opting out because of fear, though she won't be among them. "Canadian women fought for the right to choose without putting their lives at risk and now that right to choose is being jeopardized because we have to put our lives at risk."

Rod MacKinnon, a young laborer at his first abortion rights event, said, "Abortion seems like an important issue. It is up to each individual to decide."

Mary Ellen Marus is a member of the International Association of Machinists Local Lodge 11. Karen Eastland is a student at the University of British Columbia.  
 
 
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