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Project HistoryNCAP began as the National Clinic Defense Project in 1989 by
mobilizing 10,000 volunteers in response to Operation Rescue's
threat to turn Los Angeles into the first "abortion-free city."
Explore the early years of FMF's clinic defense effort. Clinic DefenseBUFFALO, NEW YORK -- In February 1992, the Feminist Majorty
Foundation sent organizers to Buffalo, New York to prevent four
weeks of massive clinic blockades planned by Operation Rescue as
a national siege. JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI -- Operation Rescue had targeted clinics in Jackson, Mississippi as a part of its July 1993 seven-city "Cities of Refuge" attack. The Feminist Majority Foundation Clinic Defense Team mobilized some 400 volunteer clinic defenders to keep the Jackson clinic open. Abortion rights advocates outnumbered the anti-abortion opponents more that 3 to 1 and the clinic remained open.
Legal Strategies to Protect ClinicsMELBOURNE, FLORIDA --Recognizing that anti-abortion extremists
had shifted strategies from blockades to tactics of intimidation
and violence directed at health care workers, the Feminist Majority
Foundation's legal team sought to establish safety buffer zones
around targeted clinics and the homes of health care workers. FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA --The Women's Clinic was unable to renew its lease at its location of ten years because of anti-abortion harassment and vandalism. On the day the clinic was moving into new facilites, the new landlord cancelled its lease, citing anti-abortion extremists' threats to harm his children and grandchildren. The Feminist Majority assembled a pro bono legal team to represent the clinic in court and provided emergency funding to the clinic to relocate to temporary quarters. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -- Pro bono attorneys recruited by the Feminist Majority Foundation secured a temporary injunction to stem severe anti-abortion violence at Clinica Medica para la Mujer International, primarily serving low-income immigrant women. "No words can express the gratitude this community, our clinic staff, the physicians, patients, myself, and all pro-choice people owe the Feminist Majority Foundation. It was your training and organization that brought together such a powerful response to Operation Rescue." - Marilyn Buckham I believe the Feminist Majority Foundation's National Clinic Defense Project is right on target in its approach and is uniquely meeting an overwhelming need in the women's health care community." - Pamela J. Maraldo, Ph.D., R.N., former President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America Clinic Violence Home | About NCAP | Clinic Surveys | Anti-Abortion Violence Watch | Clinic Violence News | Clinic Violence Links |
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The Feminist Majority's Clinic Defense Team set up offices in the
local YWCA, organized trainings for volunteers, started volunteer
phonebanks, expanded publicity efforts, and worked with the four
clinics in the area to adapt clinic access strategies to local needs
and circumstances. As a result, abortion rights supporters decisively
defeated Operation Rescue. At no time was a Buffalo-area clinic
closed down by blockades. Demoralized and divided, Operation Rescue
ceased all activity in the area some two weeks short of its plans.
The media dubbed Operation Rescue's efforts in Buffalo "Operation
Fizzle" for failing to meet their announced objectives.
The Legal Team won a precedent-setting case establishing a buffer
zone injunction around Aware Woman Center for Choice. The injunction
was upheld by a unanimous Florida State Supreme Court decision and
will soon be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.