Anna Eshoo: “I rise in strong support of the rule and the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in…”

“I rise in strong support of the rule and the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in strong support of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances bill, and I urge my colleagues to vote for the motion to go to conference. A nationwide campaign of antiabortion, violence, vandalism and blockades is curtailing the availability of abortion services and endangering providers and patients. The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act [FACE] will provide Federal protection against the unlawful and often violent tactics used by antichoice extremists. Although we are free to express our views on this emotional and controversial issue under the protection of the first amendment, this protection has been abused and we desperately need the protections that this bill provides. The murder of Dr. David Gunn may be viewed by some as an anomaly-- something done by a disturbed individual from a movement with many erratic people. But listen to the weak disavowals of violence by the antichoice people and more importantly understand that this was not an isolated incident. Since 1977, opponents of choice have directed more than 1000 reported acts of violence at abortion providers, including bombings, arson, death threats, kidnappings, assaults and shootings. And there has been an increasing level of violence in recent year. Operation rescue's ``no place to hide'' campaign terrorizes doctors and health care workers nationwide.…”