On Sunday, May 31, 2009, Dr. George Tiller was murdered as he ushered at his church in Wichita, Kansas. Dr. Tiller was one of only a few physicians in the country who performed late term abortions.  He served countless women from all over the country.  Over the years, he was shot, his clinic was vandalized and bombed, and he was subject to repeated harassment, including an investigation by the former Attorney General of Kansas.  Throughout it all, he stood his ground and continued to provide services.  He was an honorable man who lived his beliefs every day.  Today we remember his contribution to our movement and mourn his senseless death.

Patricia McGeown
UHPP President/CEO
June 1, 2009

A statement from Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America

A statement from President Obama regarding Dr. Tiller's death

A statement from Governor Paterson

A statement from Gloria Feldt, former president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America

A statement from Family Planning Advocates of NYS

A statement from the Center for Reproductive Rights

The life of this courageous and compassionate man cannot be restored. But we can celebrate his work, support his family, and demand an end to anti-choice terrorism. The following is a list of ways to take action in Dr. Tiller's memory, largely borrowed from this article at Feministing.

Become a patient escort at a local health center.

While tragic and extreme events such as Dr. Tiller's death happen very rarely, every day anti-choice protestors harass and intimidate patients trying to access reproductive healthcare services. Volunteer patient escorts stand outside health centers on days when picketers are present, greeting patients, helping them feel safe, and also monitoring and recording the activities of picketers. If you are interested in volunteering as a patient escort at one of UHPP's health centers, please call us at (518) 434-5678 ext.137, or send an email to rebecca@uhpp.org.

"Donate to a pro-choice organization.

• Medical Students for Choice -- to train the next generation of abortion providers 
• National Network of Abortion Funds -- to help low-income women access abortion"
  **To download a pledge card to make a donation to Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, click here**

"Discuss how this is connected to the daily intimidation of abortion providers all over the country.

• Write letters to your local media when you see this framed as an isolated incident, or as the act of just one extremist. Explain how this is connected to the broader issue of threats and intimidation against women's health care providers.
• Encourage your friends and family members who aren't pro-choice to reject groups that endorse or support extremist behavior.

Thank an abortion provider!

People who work and volunteer in reproductive health clinics (both those that provide abortions and those that don't) risk their lives every day to ensure women's health and freedoms are protected. They also deal with a lot of harassment and crap that might not be physically dangerous, but is a huge mental burden and daily stress. Let's use this as an opportunity to recognize their commitment, and say THANK YOU!

UPDATE: Ask Obama to commit to reviving the National Task Force on Violence Against Health Care Providers.

Write to the Obama administration and ask that the Department of Justice work to enforce the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. FACE was enacted after the murder of Dr. David Gunn in 1993, but the task force to ensure its enforcement was basically dormant during the Bush years. Ask Obama to revive it to protect reproductive health care providers and women who seek these services. More info here."