A Tribute: Dr. George Tiller in His Own Words
--Dr. George Tiller (read the full transcript taken from Voices of Choice)
Dr. George Tiller, an ob/gyn who practiced in Wichita, KS, was fatally shot as he ushered services at his church this morning. A public supporter of women's reproductive rights, he carried through his belief that women hold sovereignty over their own bodies and lives by delivering their babies, assisting in their everyday gynecological needs, and also providing abortions when women sought them.
Targeted by right-wing anti-choice zealots as part of a systematic strategy of domestic terrorism involving decades of violent intimidation, he and his staff suffered numerous acts of harrassment. Those included vandalism, picketing, and even a non-fatal shooting of Dr. Tiller prior to this deadly attack. Dr. Tiller was especially singled out by anti-choice extremists because he offered women the option of late-term abortions for patients who needed them. (Go here to understand the circumstances that would lead women to need late-term abortions.)
I'm moved by his abiding courage and stubborn insistence that women should receive the care that's appropriate for them to control their reproductive lives. His family and supporters in his community have our eternal gratitude for courageously standing by him; surely they lent him strength to do his work and unfortunately, at times they shared the risks to his safety as well. We at MOMocrats send the Tiller family our deepest condolences upon the untimely loss of a generous, ethical, caring, empathetic person.
Dr. George Tiller: a father, husband, grandfather, member of his congregation and community--the pro-choice movement has lost a cherished ally and friend. We mourn your passing.
In memoriam messages here.
H/T to The Blue Ey'd Hag, @lizditz, Askew's DK diary
Cynematic believes every woman's life is a story, and all women should have the chance to write their own beginning, middle, and end. Determining if or when to have a family, and what size it should be, is a fundamental human right. She blogs at P i l l o w b o o k.
we hope you can attend, thank you, arlette alcock, vancouver canada
Tribute Rally for
Dr. George Tiller
in Vancouver
Please come out to honour the courageous and dedicated doctor
who was assassinated on May 31 in Wichita Kansas.
Dr. George Tiller sacrificed his life to save women's lives. He was one of the very few doctors in North America willing to help women who found out late in pregnancy that their baby would not survive outside the womb, and women whose lives and health were endangered by the pregnancy. For this, he was revered by his patients and the abortion provider community, who called him Saint George. Dr. Tiller lived his favourite mottoes "Trust Women" - and "Attitude Is Everything." He knew that women needed his help, and this gave him the strength and grace to continue his work despite the 30 years of relentless anti-abortion harassment and terrorism directed at him and his clinic.
Date/time: Thursday, June 18, 7 pm (till about 8:30)
Location: Grandview Park on Commercial Drive, Vancouver
(between William and Charles Streets, at the bandstand)
Featured speeches and topics:
Short tributes from various speakers, including some who knew Dr. Tiller personally
Understanding the need for late-term abortion
Stopping the terrorism and the fear
A few of the currently scheduled speakers include:
Ellen Woodsworth, Vancouver City Councillor
Joyce Arthur, Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada
Greg Smith, Executive Director, Options for Sexual Health
Statement will be read from Libby Davies, Member of Parliament for Vancouver East
And others...
Musical performances to follow.
Sponsored by the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada, www.arcc-cdac.ca
For more information, contact joyce@arcc-cdac.ca
Posted by: arlette alcock | June 17, 2009 at 06:03 PM
Is a interesting information that I read in this post but I would like to know a little more about it.
Posted by: | October 09, 2009 at 01:42 PM