Word: arsons
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...show of antiabortion sentiment came at a time of increasing militancy by the movement. Recent months have seen a record number of bombings, as well as instances of arson and harassment, at abortion centers. Pro-choice supporters, fearing more of the same last week, organized protective vigils at some 30 clinics around the country. Reagan again disavowed antiabortion extremists, urging a "complete rejection of violence as a means of settling this issue." His endorsement of the marchers was more qualified than it first seemed: a White House spokesman said Reagan still favored abortions when a mother's life ! is threatened...
Reagan also added a caution: "We cannot condone the threatening or taking of human life to protest the taking of human life by way of abortion." He was referring to the bombings and arson attacks which damaged 24 clinics in eight different states last year in addition, there have been numerous incidents of telephone and mail threats to clinics and vandalism of clinic property. Though no casualties have yet to be reported, there seems reason to believe that the explosions may be far more dangerous in the future. James Simmons, arrested in connection with three Christmas-day bombings in Pensacola...
Laura J. Brown '80, former editor of the East Boston Committee News, is a member of the Boston Arson Commission...
...federal presence has not stemmed the antiabortion violence. There were three bomb or arson attacks on abortion facilities in 1982, two in 1983, but 24 last year. Still, the BATF agents, working with local police, have an impressive record. Nearly half of all the crimes are considered "solved," meaning that there have been either arrests or convictions. In sentencing the bombers or arsonists, judges have ignored pleas that the acts were motivated by religion or politics and harmed only property. (No one has been injured in any of the attacks.) The sentences have been stiff...
...wife. The three men claimed they belonged to the Army of God, a group that investigators insist had only the three members, although anonymous callers claiming responsibility for later attacks have used the same name. Curtis Anton Beseda, an unemployed roofer, confessed his guilt while on trial for four arson attacks last year on clinics in Everett and Bellingham, Wash. He said he had done the torchings "for the glory of God." He was sentenced to 20 years and ordered to pay $298,000 for the damage he had caused. Says John Killorin, spokesman for the BATF...