You’ve reached the activism portion of today’s show. Now that you’re informed and angry, here’s what you can do about it. Today’s activism: Tell the Department of Justice to investigate clinic violence as terrorism.

Our legislators and leaders seem obsessed with terrorism — the kind that comes from a scary, foreign threat from overseas. But a mass shooting at a reproductive health clinic or the assassination of a doctor at his church on by sniper rifle while standing in his kitchen? Those are isolated incidents.

The FBI’s shorthand definition of “domestic terrorism” reads: “Americans attacking Americans based on U.S.-based extremist ideologies.” This should easily apply to the decades-long, religious extremism-based movement to end abortion by any means necessary in this country.

The Colorado Springs shooting wasn’t a surprise to the clinic, which has a safe room, a stash of Kevlar vests, and thick bullet proof glass. And it wasn’t a surprise to the staff of the other clinics — both Planned Parenthoods and independent providers. 68% of reproductive health clinics nationwide experience frequent and regular anti-abortion activity.

For their book "Living in the Crosshairs: The Untold Stories of Anti-Abortion Terrorism, “ lawyer/authors David Cohen and Krysten Connon interviewed abortion providers around the country. They report that provider targeting has included:

assaults; threats in person and by mail; targeting of private practices and other places of employment; bombings; home picketing; stalking of providers’ young children; kidnappings; Internet attacks; and intimidation of extended family and neighbors.

NARAL and other pro-choice groups have delivered a petition to the Department of Justice asking them to investigate these attacks as terrorism — a special distinction legally that allows the coordination of law enforcement agencies and jurisdictions as well as federal resources and support. Through the magic of the internet age, you can still add your name to their petition through the link in the segment notes.

There is also a petition at CredoAction.com in support of the campaign. Get updates and read about the thousands of attacks on abortion providers on the #InvestigateClinicViolence thread. You can also get involved with clinic defense volunteer work by contacting The Clinic Vest Project through their website, ClinicVestProject.org.

TAKE ACTION:

SIGN: Tell the Department of Justice to #InvestigateClinicViolence as terrorism via NARAL

SIGN: "Tell the Department of Justice: Investigate attacks on Planned Parenthood clinics for what they are — domestic terrorism.” via @CredoAction

Additional Activism/Resources:

Donate/volunteer with clinic defense: contact The Clinic Vest Project

Follow: #InvestigateClinicViolence

Sources/further reading:

WATCH: ReproAction’s webinar: "Stop Anti-Abortion Terrorism and Harassment”

"Targeted Attacks On Abortion Providers Is Domestic Terrorism” by Katie Klabusich at The Establishment

"‘Living in the Crosshairs’ Puts Human Face on Grim Clinic Violence Statistics” by Katie Klabusich at RH Reality Check

"Activists renew calls for abortion clinic attacks to be labeled domestic terrorism” by Molly Redden at The Guardian

"I Used to Confront Abortion Doctors—Until One Got Murdered” at Time

Hear the segment in context:

Episode #975 "Terrorism and the war on reproductive rights (Planned Parenthood shooting)"

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich