Remembering women’s advocate Dr. Bernard Slepian and his crusade

On October 23, 1998, Dr. Barnett Slepian was shot and killed in his Amherst home in front of his family by James Kopp for performing legal abortions. To the Buffalo community, this case demonstrated the magnitude of the ongoing abortion and women’s reproductive rights debate.

Amherst physician Dr. Barnett Slepian (right) and the man who murdered him, James Kopp, who is currently serving a life sentence in prison.

More than a decade after his murder, abortion availability remains precarious.

In an interview with AV, Glen Murray, a Buffalo criminal defense and civil rights attorney, said, “I believe the media was reluctant to call James Kopp what he was, a ‘domestic terrorist.’ The local and national media connotes ‘terrorists’ with Arab Muslims, not Christian extremists who shoot and bomb. I think most media is afraid to even acknowledge the concept of ‘Christian terrorists,’ because this might offend some Christians.”

Nationwide since 1993, seven abortion clinic workers have been murdered and since 1977, there have been 5,600 reported acts of violence against abortion providers, including bombings, arsons, death threats, kidnappings, and assaults, according to the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL). Consequently, 87 percent of counties in the US have no abortion provider—and that figure rises to 97 percent of non-metropolitan counties.

Many pro-choice allies and activists view the tactics of the “anti-choice” opposition as increasingly hostile towards both abortion providers and women seeking their services. “The shooting of Dr. Slepian illustrates a key strategy of the so-called pro-lifers: murder and terrorize doctors and clinic staffers in order to drive them out of business,” Terry O’Neill of NOW wrote in the group’s national publication.

Kopp was found guilty in 2003 of second-degree murder and in January 2007 for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and a weapons charge. He was also a suspect in four non-fatal shootings of abortion providers in Canada and Rochester. In June 2007, Kopp was sentenced to life in prison.

“After a New York sentence of 25 to life, he was sentenced to life without parole by the federal court,” Murray explained. “The dual prosecution [New York and US] ensured that James Kopp will never be released from jail, which is especially important because he showed no remorse for his premeditated shooting. He avoided facing any death-penalty prosecution by fleeing to France. France would not extradite unless US and New York authorities waived any death penalty prosecution.”

After the Slepian murder, Buffalo groups that provide reproductive health services to women have become more cautious and many have been forced to close. “Security risks have limited the number of abortion providers to those who are most dedicated to their patient’s freedom of choice,” Murray said.

Closings of abortion clinics, which were scarce to begin with in Western New York, greatly impact the community. While upper-class women often have access to services through a private gynecologists or referrals, women who are poor, young, and/or unaware of their options must rely on specialized clinics or hospitals. This vulnerable group statistically faces the highest levels of unplanned pregnancies due to decreasing resources and policy changes.

The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics found that from 1994-2001, the rate of unplanned pregnancies increased by almost 30 percent for women below the federal poverty line, in contrast to the rate for women comfortably above it, which fell by 20 percent.

This struggle has continued to escalate because of the previous presidential administration’s policies. During the Bush era, anti-choice policies of the past were reinvigorated. According to Planned Parenthood, religious-extremist politicians gained power within the administration, anti-choice judges were appointed to federal positions, restrictions were placed on abortion procedures, and government funding was drastically increased for abstinence-only sex-ed programs and cut for family planning services.

In an email to AV, Amy White of Planned Parenthood said of the Bush years, “with a change in the US House and the US Senate leadership to more family planning friendly forces, the toxic rhetoric of the anti-abortion movement will no longer dictate healthcare policy. Programs that prevent abortion, such as family planning education and services, were dealt a significant blow eight years ago when Bush and anti-choice forces were put into power in the US government.”

White also wrote of the transition to the new administration, “Obama and family planning and women’s health advocates will now begin a rebuilding process for the CDC, public health clinics, and programs that help prevent unintended pregnancy. These groups can now proceed with the work of prevention and education that helps stop unintended pregnancy.”

Another threat to abortion availability is young doctors’ lack of training. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a leader in reproductive issues research, only 12 percent of US residency programs routinely offer training in abortions during the first trimester. This reflects the growing fear within the medical community to do abortion procedures because of the threat of violence and political pressures. Today, it is relatively common for abortion providers to maintain a low, secretive profile and to work in offices with bulletproof glass and armed guards.

While advocates for women’s health and reproductive rights have been plagued by violence and fear the past 10 years, commitment to Slepian’s cause continues. “Access to abortion in Buffalo has continued by OBGYNs who refuse to be intimidated by extortionate threats,” Murray said. “Police have made arrests and prosecutors have handled cases with greater regard for the danger associated with the harassment of clinic patients and staff. Before Dr. Slepian’s murder, some such cases were given the lowest priority.”

In the words of a NOW representative, “We must continue to ensure that abortion is not only legal but also accessible—otherwise women simply have no choice.”

For more information or help:

ECCAFV (www.eccafv.org, 884-6002)

Crisis Services of Buffalo 24-Hour Hotline (834-3131)

Planned Parenthood of WNY (www.ppwny.org, 831-2200)

Women, Children, & Social Justice Clinic at UB Law (www.law.buffalo.edu/familyviolence, 645-2103)