Death threats against abortion providers doubled in 2017

Violence and intimidation against abortion clinics are on the rise, a new report from the National Abortion Federation finds. While Republican politicians are looking to shut down clinics through government action, anti-abortion extremists are in the streets blockading clinics, threatening providers, and generally creating an atmosphere of fear for women exercising their right to choose:

The report found that there was an overall decrease in acts of vandalism against clinics but a significant increase in activities aimed at disrupting services and intimidating patients and providers. Acts of trespassing increased from 247 in 2016 to 823 in 2017, instances of obstruction tripled to 1,704 and threats of death or other harm nearly doubled to 62. [...]

The one attempted bombing in 2017 involved a pipe bomb that did not explode after being placed in an abortion clinic in Champaign, Illinois, in November. The three men charged by federal authorities are allegedly part of a militia group called the "White Rabbits" who also have been charged in the bombing of a Minnesota mosque last year.

A clinic in Cleveland incurred more than $32,000 in damages because of repeated brick-throwing attacks on its windows.

And Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are busy filling the federal courts with judges who will act with Republicans and vandals to shut down clinics.