Operation Rescue

 

About: 

 

            Operation Rescue is a pro-life Christian activist organization currently headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. The organization was founded in 1986 with the slogan: “If you believe abortion is murder, act like it’s murder.”[1] The organization engages in activities that “are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates.”[2]  Operation Rescue has been involved in various protests and has recently made headlines due to their purchase and closing of an abortion clinic in Wichita.

 

            The organization gained publicity in the mid and late 2000’s for their efforts against Dr. George Tiller. The organization sought to illicit arrests by publicizing a number of allegedly “botched” abortions. [3] Operation Rescuers especially focused on the death of a woman named Christin A. Gilbert who died following a third-trimester abortion. However, Dr. Tiller was cleared of any charges related to the death of Gilbert. The organization staged various protests claiming that the sanitary conditions of Tiller’s clinic were not up to regulation standards and attempted to gain the support of Kansas State Legislature.

 

 

 

 

 

Reaction to the Death of Dr. George Tiller:

 

            Despite the organization’s strong anti-abortion stance, following the murder of Dr. Tiller Operation Rescue denounced Scott Roeder’s violent act. The organization issued a statement that said that the organization denounces “vigilantism” and referred to the killing as a “cowardly act”.[4] Operation Rescue also included in their statement their support for the wife and family of Tiller by saying that they were sending their thoughts and prayers out to them.

 

 

Where do they draw the line?

 

            Operation Rescue prides itself on being one of the leading pro-life organizations in the nation; however, their approach is quite different from that of the Army of God. While the Army of God has shown through their actions that they are willing to do anything in order to achieve their goal of ending the practice of abortions, Operation Rescue has clearly drawn the line as to how far they are willing to go for the cause. They have condemned the actions of other pro-lifers who have resorted to violent means to send a message and halt the efforts of the pro-life movement and shown sympathy and support for the victims of such violent acts. They have stated that they intend to achieve their goals through “peaceful, legal means, and proper channels”[5].