Legal attack targets abortion provider
New York chapters of the National Organization for Women
and National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League
organized a New York City meeting here on May 21 to raise
sorely needed funds for the legal defense of Dr. James
Pendergraft. The African American obstetrician-gynecologist
operates five full-service women's health care facilities in
Florida.
Pendergraft was convicted in February of extortion
charges. At his sentencing on May 24 he faces up to 30 years
in prison and fines of $750,000.
Supporters believe that these charges were trumped up
against him because of his attempt to set up an abortion
clinic in Ocala, Marion County. They maintain that the
unprecedented federal case against Pendergraft is the latest
maneuver designed to drive a courageous abortion provider out
of practice.
The legal attack on Pendergraft takes place within the
context of a campaign of intimidation and violence against
abortion providers.
Seven doctors and clinic workers have been killed in the
last decade. Countless women's clinic health care workers
face daily threats of violent physical attack, their
relatives have been harassed and stalked, and their clinics
have been assaulted by fire and stink bombs.
Speakers at the May 21 event included Pendergraft and
Emily Lyons, a nurse who was severely injured in the 1998
bombing of a Birmingham abortion clinic. Marcia Ann
Gillespie, editor-in-chief of Ms. magazine, and Lucinda
Finley, a Buffalo lawyer working on Pendergraft's appeal,
also spoke.
--Sue
Davis
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