By STEVEN ERTELT
WASHINGTON, D.C. (LifeNews) — Abortion advocates assaulted two pro-life advocates who were helping women and saving babies outside the Planned Parenthood abortion business in Washington, D.C., on July 22.
“Two pro-aborts decided to assault me and another pro-life defender outside Planned Parenthood in Washington D.C., this morning simply for standing on the sidewalk offering resources to families in crisis,” said Terrisa Bukovinac, one of the victims.
Bukovinac, who heads a liberal pro-life group called PAAU, told LifeNews that police have decided not to file any charges against the abortion activists, who appear to be Planned Parenthood escorts or supporters.
“The police refused to press charges,” she said.
Bukovinac, the founder and executive director of Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising (PAAU) and Michael Gribbin, another pro-life advocate, were victims of the attack. Both Gribbin and Bukovinac frequently come to the DC Planned Parenthood to sidewalk counsel where they peacefully offer life affirming alternatives to women seeking abortions.
According to Bukovinac, the incident began when a woman approached her and threw coffee in her face and hair. When Gribbin went to grab the coffee cup, her male partner assaulted him.
A video of the altercation shows Gribbin being thrown to the ground and repeatedly punched by the woman’s male partner. The video also shows Bukovinac getting slapped in the face by the woman who threw coffee at her.
Despite video evidence of the assault, the D.C. police have refused to press charges against either assailant.
Bukovinac stated: “Even as a progressive anti-abortion atheist I understand that the abortion industrial complex is responsible for a mass genocide which will require immense bravery to dismantle. Pro-lifers must be committed to total nonviolence to effectively challenge the institution of legal child killing around the globe.”
Michael New, a Catholic University of America professor who helps coordinate pro-life sidewalk counseling efforts outside the DC Planned Parenthood, told LifeNews, “It is sad, but unsurprising that the DC police have refused to press charges on two individuals who assaulted 2 pro-life sidewalk counselors outside the DC Planned Parenthood.”
He added, “Pro-lifers have First Amendment rights and no one should have to fear for their safety while sidewalk counseling. As someone who coordinates sidewalk counseling efforts outside the DC Planned Parenthood it is of paramount importance that our volunteers are safe. If Terrisa and Michael wish to file civil charges against their assailants, they would have my enthusiastic support.”
New said this is not the first time that DC police have refused to press charges against individuals who have engaged in violence against peaceful pro-life activists.
On August 31, 2019, Gribbin was chalking pro-life messages on the sidewalk outside the DC Planned Parenthood. Quinn Chasan who worked for Google stole Gribbin’s chalk and threw it down the street. When confronted, Chasan proceeded to assault Gribbin. Despite video evidence of the incident, the DC police refused to press charges.
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