Intimidation is not activism

[illusionofjoy]

An article published July 28^th on RollingStone.com leads me to believe that Troy Newman should be added to the list of most dangerous people in America. A rabid anti-abortionist, this article describes how Newman attempts to spread his message via personal harassment of abortion clinic employees and organised boycotts of any business that has anything to do with money which may have passed through an abortion clinic or anyone associated with one. In the first paragraph alone, I spotted at least three actions by Newman and his group, Operation Rescue, which were blatantly criminal in nature.

People such as Newman have a right to their opinions and a right to express said opinions. However, the line is clearly drawn between mere expression and harassment and intimidation. Newman is not an activist, but a bully who wishes to scare people into "repenting" for their so-called "sins" and reshaping the world into his vision. His methods are no different that those of high school cliques, wishing to exclude and humiliate a certain group of people.

Jesus, an advocate of pacifism, compassion and acceptance, would not be impressed.

Comments

grrr...

[slinkybetty.livejournal.com]

Activist my ass. I think "terrorist" would be a better term to use. This is clearly taking things way too far.

[serpentskirts.livejournal.com]

When I was still living in Monroeville, there was an anti-abortion rally in the Miracle Mile Shopping Center. I was on my way home from work and trying to get off the parkway, but traffic was backed up EVERYWHERE. People kept slowing down to look at the giant signs with pictures of mangled babies, most of which were being held by children between the ages of 3 and 12. It was sickening. I actually made my cousin stop in the parking lot, so I could get out of the car and yell at them. I don't recall much of what was said, as I was so angry... But I do remember screaming something along the lines of, "I'm sure Jesus is so incridibly proud of you and your ability to cause accidents in the street". When I got home, I kept calling the police until they agreed to break up the "party".

[appendixman1.livejournal.com]

Newman is a hypocrite as well. I noticed in the last few lines of the article that he says to his fellow "activists" that they can't let people intimidate them. He's says it as if he doesn't even realize that that is what he is trying to do.