November 2015
UUWF Issues Statement on the Colorado Shootings

“The Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation joins with our sister faith organization, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), in extending our hearts and prayers to everyone involved in the tragic shootings at Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains,” said UUWF president Kirstie Lewis in a statement released today.

The killing of three people by an inflamed individual came after multiple arson attacks and an outrageous number of threats inciting violence against abortion providers in the months following the release of deceptively edited videos intended to vilify Planned Parenthood. The three murdered individuals included an Iraq war vet, a mother of two, and a police officer.

Since 1993, eight clinic workers — including four doctors, two clinic employees, a clinic escort, and a security guard — have been murdered in the United States. There have been 17 other attempted murders.

Along with many national pro-choice organizations and physicians, the UUWF has signed on to a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice citing the long history of ideologically driven clinic violence and asking that these crimes be considered and prosecuted as no less than despicable acts of domestic terrorism.

Along with so many other people of faith, we look forward to the day when all people can live without fear of violence.