------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the May 31, 2001 issue of Workers World newspaper ------------------------- LEGAL ATTACK TARGETS ABORTION PROVIDER New York chapters of the National Organization for Women and National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League organized a New York City meeting here on May 21 to raise sorely needed funds for the legal defense of Dr. James Pendergraft. The African American obstetrician-gynecologist operates five full-service women's health care facilities in Florida. Pendergraft was convicted in February of extortion charges. At his sentencing on May 24 he faces up to 30 years in prison and fines of $750,000. Supporters believe that these charges were trumped up against him because of his attempt to set up an abortion clinic in Ocala, Marion County. They maintain that the unprecedented federal case against Pendergraft is the latest maneuver designed to drive a courageous abortion provider out of practice. The legal attack on Pendergraft takes place within the context of a campaign of intimidation and violence against abortion providers. Seven doctors and clinic workers have been killed in the last decade. Countless women's clinic health care workers face daily threats of violent physical attack, their relatives have been harassed and stalked, and their clinics have been assaulted by fire and stink bombs. Speakers at the May 21 event included Pendergraft and Emily Lyons, a nurse who was severely injured in the 1998 bombing of a Birmingham abortion clinic. Marcia Ann Gillespie, editor-in-chief of Ms. magazine, and Lucinda Finley, a Buffalo lawyer working on Pendergraft's appeal, also spoke. --Sue Davis - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For subscription info send message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://www.workers.org) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
