Threats of violence against US abortion clinics almost doubled in 2017, industry group says

National Abortion Federation reports 'escalation of hostility and targeted activity'

The Pro-Life Coalition of Pennsylvania holds a 'Mercy Witness For Life' rally outside a closed abortion clinic (Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images)

Abortion clinics in the US have seen a surge in trespassing and threats of violence this year, according to a survey from an industry group.

The National Abortion Federation (NAF) said reports of trespassing at their member clinics tripled in 2017, while death threats or threats of harm nearly doubled. One member clinic reported an attempted bombing for the first time in years.

“We know that hostile rhetoric, including rhetoric from anti-abortion elected officials, can incite some to take the law into their own hands by threatening abortion providers and committing acts of violence,” said NAF President and CEO Vicki Saporta in statement.

“Given the political climate and the increase in hate incidents throughout the country, it is more important than ever that law enforcement and prosecutors appropriately respond to anti-abortion criminal activity," she added.

The NAF said their clinics reported more incidents of trespassing and picketing in 2017 than any year since 1977, when the survey first launched. They also received reports of 62 death threats or threats of harm in 2017 – up from 33 in 2016.

In one case, a caller told clinic staff he would “do anything and everything to stop the unmitigated murders of foetuses”.

“You are all pieces of s*** and I will kill to stop these atrocities,” the caller said, according to the NAF. “I will blow you up if I have to, burn the clinic down. I will do whatever is necessary. I swear to God I will.”

The man, a member of the extremist anti-abortion group Army of God, has been charged with two counts of making threats to injure another, according to the Associated Press.

Another clinic reportedly received a message in which the caller threatened to bring his AK-47 assault rifle and “shoot up” the facility. The NAF says the incident was reported and police have opened an investigation.

The NAF started surveying its member clinics about the violence and disruptions they experienced more than 40 years ago. The survey launched four years after Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal across the US, and one year after the first reported clinic arson.

Since then, the NAF has recorded 11 murders, 26 attempted murders, 42 bombings, and 187 arsons.

This year, the organisation found the number of clinic burglaries and vandalism had decreased, though some incidents – like a spree of vandalism that cost one clinic more than $32,000(£23,600) in damage – were more costly than years prior.

The amount of online hate speech also decreased this year, after peaking during the 2016 presidential election. Some clinics reported people changing their phone numbers and addresses in online listings, or posting misleading reviews on their Facebook or Google service pages.

Others said detractors had falsely listed their facility as closed or relocated.