Just a week before the fatal bombing of the clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, the Feminist Majority Foundation released its fifth annual National Clinic Violence Survey, showing 24.8% of clinics reported severe violence (which includes blockades, invasions, bomb threats and bombings, arson threats and arsons, chemical attacks, death threats, and stalking). Moreover, high levels of violence are being concentrated on a small number of clinics. More abortion clinics experienced high levels of violence (three or more types of violence) in 1997 than in 1996: 7.1% of abortion clinics experienced high levels of violence in 1996, and that percentage went up to 8.3% in 1997 -- after steadily declining from 22% in 1994.

"The strategy of the violent wing of the anti-abortion movement is a 'war of attrition' -- extremists target one clinic, attempt to wipe it out or close it down, and then move on to another," said Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority Foundation.

Also in 1997, staff resignations as a result of anti-abortion violence were up since steadily declining from 1993 levels. In 1997, 7.1% of clinics reported staff leaving as a result of violence, compared to just 3.9% of clinics in 1996.

Clinics experiencing high levels of violence tended to be in areas where law enforcement response was poor. Of the clinics which reported excellent local law enforcement, only 7.5% experienced high levels of violence. But of the clinics which reported poor local law enforcement, 35.7% experienced high levels of violence.

"We are encouraged by the impact of improved law enforcement response in reducing clinic violence," said Smeal. "But the fact that one-quarter of the women's health clinics in this country are battered day after day with violence, harassment, and intimidation is unconscionable. We must have zero tolerance for domestic terrorism."

The survey did show, however, that while the violence is concentrated, it is declining. "The percentage of clinics experiencing no violence, harassment, or intimidation has doubled," said Smeal. "Our work to stop the violence is effective."

This year's National Clinic Violence Survey also contains a five-year analysis of trends in abortion violence. Violence began to decline sharply in 1995, after the passage of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which made it a federal crime to blockade or commit violence against a women's health care facility. In 1994 51.9% of clinics reported experiencing severe violence -- and this percentage was cut in half by 1997. As a result of FACE, federal charges could be filed against violent extremists, and federal marshalls were able to protect clinics. The pro-choice community also won "buffer-zone" injunctions to keep anti-abortion protesters a certain distance away from the most targeted clinics, and these buffer zones were found to be constitutional by the Supreme Court.

Despite the success of FACE, there have been fifteen bombings and arsons at abortion clinics since January 1997. Most of these bombings and arsons were covered only scantily in the national media. "We fear that neither the public nor the press fully comprehend the gravity of this war of attrition being waged against women's health clinics," said Smeal. At the Birmingham and Atlanta clinics, as well as at an Atlanta gay and lesbian night-club, extremists planted anti-personnel bombs. "We were fortunate more people were not killed in each incident," said Smeal. "We must bring to justice those orchestrating this domestic terrorism before they cause even greater havoc."

For a copy of the National Clinic Violence Survey visit our Web site: , or call (703) 522-2214. €