FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, April 20, 1998, 12:25 CST

ANTI-ABORTION EXTREMIST CONSPIRACY CRACKED TODAY IN CHICAGO FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT

Chicago -- In an historic Federal Court victory today, the National Women's Health Organization (NWHO) proved a nationwide conspiracy of violence against abortion providers and women who seek their services. The jury (4 women and 2 men) found Joseph Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League, Operation Rescue, Andrew Scholberg, and Timothy Murphy, liable under the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute.

Plaintiff Summit Women's Health Organization in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was awarded $54,000 in actual damages and Plaintiff Delaware Women's Health Organization in Wilmington, Delaware was awarded $31,000 in actual damages. Under RICO, they are eligible for triple that amount, or $255,000. This verdict also allows for all affected clinics in the country to apply for damages as well. A hearing on a nationwide injunction will be tomorrow at 9:45 am.

In this class action lawsuit, NOW v. Scheidler, NWHO represents a class of over 900 women's health care clinics nationwide that provide abortions which have been terrorized by the Defendants' illegal activities for over a decade. The National Organization for Women (NOW), Co-Plaintiff, represents its women members and all non-member women in the United States whose rights to access services at women's health clinics that provide abortions have been interfered with by these defendants. A unanimous 1994 Supreme Court decision gave the Plaintiffs the right to use RICO against the Defendants in this case.

Susan Hill, President of NWHO, who filed the case with NOW in 1986 after violent invasions at clinics in Pensacola, FL, and Wilmington, DE, spoke about the importance of the decision. "This is a tremendous victory for abortion providers nationwide. We have finally cracked the conspiracy. For the first time we have proven in court what we have known for years. There is an organized campaign of terror being waged against abortion providers nationwide.

This case was filed 12 years ago because we feared that the violence at clinics would soon lead to murder. Since that time, 6 providers have been murdered at clinics including one of our physicians, Dr. David Gunn. We knew we had to do something to stop the escalation of violence. We believe that this victory will be a deterrent to all anti-abortion extremists who terrorize abortion providers, clinics, and their patients.

In the years since the case was filed, we have endured great hardship in order to provide services in towns like Fargo, ND, and Jackson, MS. Our company's clinics have suffered 15 arsons or fire bombings, hundreds of death threats, overwhelming harassment resulting in 2,000 arrests and countless incidents of stalking and intimidation."

Ms. Hill added, "No citizen in this country, regardless of their motivation, is entitled to extort, threaten or deprive others of a Constitutionally protected right. No health care worker or patient should be subjected to the years of 'Pain and Fear' that Scheidler, Operation Rescue and their foot soldiers have inflicted on us. After having heard all of the evidence, this jury of good citizens agreed with us that Americans should be free to go to work without fear, to access health care without violence, and to operate businesses free from attacks. Today's decision is the critical turning point in the abortion debate in this country. Now that we have successfully used RICO, we give notice to every other co-conspirator willing to use unlawful acts against us -- we will be vigilant, we will pursue you and we will prevail."

Lowell Sachnoff, lead attorney for NWHO in this case also commented on the verdict. "In the many years I have been practicing law, this is one of the most Constitutionally important cases I have ever tried. Today's courageous decision will stop the reign of terror against providers and ensure access to abortion services guaranteed under Roe v. Wade." Ms. Hill concluded her statements today with a suggestion to the Defendants. "Pursue your religious and moral beliefs legally, as every other American in this country is obligated to do."

NWHO affiliated clinics are in Orlando FL, Columbus GA, Wilmington DE, Fargo ND, Ft.Wayne IN, Jackson MS, Raleigh NC, and Milwaukee WI.

The Press is welcome to contact the following NWHO affiliated clinics:

Central Florida Women's Health Organization (Orlando) - Pat Davis 407-898-0921

Columbus Women's Health Organization (Georgia) - Lonnie Caballero 706-323-8363

Delaware Women's Health Organization (Wilmington) - Jennifer Vriens 302-992-7996

Fargo Women's Health Organization (North Dakota) - Tammi Krumenaker 701-235-0999

Ft. Wayne Women's Health Organization (Indiana) - Raquel Murua-Sims 219-424-5005

Jackson Women's Health Organization (Mississippi) - Betty Thompson 601-366-2261

Raleigh Women's Health Organization (North Carolina) - Jaime Combs 800-532-5383

Summit Women's Health Organization (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) - Dianne Pogrant 414-289-9900