NASHVILLE (BP) – Political leaders are urging the pro-life community to prepare for a possible violent reaction to the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
The White House and the Department of Homeland Security asked the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission to join a call Thursday warning them about an increased threat level based on the potential decision, according to Kentucky Today.
“Political violence of any kind is unacceptable, regardless of the context. That is not how we resolve our differences in this nation,” Leatherwood told Baptist Press in a written statement.
As of June 21, around 30 pregnancy support centers have been vandalized or suffered other damage with many of them threatened. Several of them spray painted with threatening messages such as, “If abortion isn’t safe, neither are you.”
A website called Jane’s Revenge was launched in May saying, “We are forced to adopt the minimum military requirement for a political struggle.”
On June 15, they posted, “From here forward, any anti-choice group who closes their doors, and stops operating will no longer be a target. But until you do, it’s open season, and we know where your operations are.”
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost wrote a letter to US Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for action. “The Department of Justice must investigate and prosecute these terroristic threats and acts,” Yost wrote.
The letter, pointing to the attacks on pregnancy support centers, was signed by 19 other state attorneys general.
“I deeply appreciate the White House and the Department of Homeland Security taking the rising level of threats seriously, especially as it pertains to the Mississippi abortion case, and proactively putting law enforcement on notice while asking faith leaders to be aware and prepared,” said Leatherwood.
Brotherhood Mutual has issued tips for churches as they face potential protests. They encourage church leaders to call the police immediately if they face threatening behavior from protestors and to avoid holding counter protests.
Baptist Press will continue to update this developing story.
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