On Thursday, March 10, the National Abortion Federation (NAF) issued an internal “security alert” warning member abortion facilities about “potential ‘red rose’/’pink rose’ invasions at abortion facilities” by Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising (PAAU) activists. The communiqué named several PAAU members and contained their photos:
Containing several typographical errors, the circular omitted several key activists who have been involved in the PAAU Pink Rose Rescues. It also mischaracterized the rescue actions as ‘harassment.’
According to Herb Geraghty, board member of PAAU and Executive Director of Rehumanize International: “It is important to note that what they would call ‘harassment’ or ‘intimidation’ is really none of those things. It is offering roses and resources to pregnant people in need. Rescuers … are there giving concrete help to pregnant people and young families, and are saving the lives of particular children on a particular day.”
READ: Activists block traffic in protest against harvesting and experimentation on aborted children
PAAU activists were delighted by the communiqué, which was leaked to them by an anonymous source. “It means we’re doing something right,” said PAAU member Avery Fae. “It seems like we are definitely striking fear in the hearts of our opponents. And that is exactly what we’re trying to do.”
Similarly, Terrisa Bukovinac, PAAU Founder and Executive Director, stated, “I think knowing that we are de-legitimizing this institution that is clearly a business, but tries to portray itself as doing some good in the community is really satisfying … This is just the beginning. We’re building a movement, we’re recruiting, we’re training, and knowing that they’re already intimidated and threatened by our actions is extremely motivating.”
Kristin Monahan, Executive Coordinator for PAAU, agreed. “It feels like the first step outside of the constant erasure we get. … We haven’t been on their radar that much. [But] now, they know who we are, they’re going to be spreading the word, we’re going to be having our activism discussed a bit more,” she said. “So that’ll help our cause and help bring people together to realize you can be progressive and pro-life.”
Kristin Turner, Executive Director of Pro-Life San Francisco and PAAU member, agreed that NAF is inadvertently assisting PAAU’s activism. “We are seeing that our strategies are able to put [the abortion-industrial complex] in a situation where they have to respond, and be held accountable,” she noted. “These physical, direct, non-violent actions are going to force them even further into the public light and will encourage people to do research.”
On the subject of non-violent direct action as a strategy, PAAU’s Director of Activism, Lauren Handy, pointed out that “throughout the history of social justice movements, non-violent direct action has been a vital tool to advance these causes. It is only natural that within the pro-life movement we use tried and true methods, as well. We are under no ethical or moral obligation to acknowledge [abortion facility] property lines. By [doing so], we further legitimize a grave evil. [Refusing to do so] is a simple step people can take to de-legitimize an industry that profits off the exploitation and killing of unborn humans.”
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