The Birmingham abortion clinic bombing: preparing for an escalation of violence

Reproductive healthcare clinics and hospitals that perform abortions are facing increased security concerns following the latest major incident of violence directed at such facilities--the January 29 bombing of a Birmingham, AL, abortion clinic that killed an off-duty police officer and seriously wounded a nurse. As of publication date, the FBI had issued an arrest warrant and was still searching for Eric Robert Rudolph, 31, as a suspect in the bombing, the first fatal one of an abortion clinic. A $100,000 reward is being offered to anyone providing information that leads to his arrest and conviction. This report will provide further details on abortion clinical violence and additional information on how such facilities--whether freestanding or hospital based--can better protect themselves.