------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Feb. 6, 2003 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
BUFFALO UNITED FOR CHOICE: "ARMY OF GOD" ROUTED BY WOMEN, GAY COMMUNITY By Beverly Hiestand Buffalo, N.Y. An important victory against the ultra-right wing has been won here in the struggle to defend women's right to control their own bodies, as well as to protect the lives of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. On Jan. 22, the 30th anniversary of the hard-won Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, a gang of "Army of God" commandos descended on Buffalo. The Klan-like group has bragged about past bombings of women's abortion clinics and is virulently hostile to lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. The reactionaries came here to publicly throw their weight behind James Kopp, who is going on trial for the murder of Dr. Barnett Slepian. Kopp has boasted of having shot Slepian, an obstetrician-gynecologist who performed abortions, in October 1998. Kopptrial is expected to begin in mid-March. The right-wing extremists held a news conference Jan.22 in front of the Erie County Holding Center where Kopp is being detained. They had threatened to mass at a large women's health clinic downtown and use whatever force was required to stop all abortion procedures in the city that day. They also reportedly issued threats against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Those opposed to the reactionary agenda of the "Army of God" began mobilizing immediately after the right wing's plans were made public. Buffalo United for Choice, a grassroots coalition that has twice defeated national right-wing mobilizations here--in 1992 and 1999-- reconstituted itself as BUC 2003. Rainbow Peacekeepers, community-based self-defense squads, also re-formed. By the day of the news conference, only a handful of the right-wing thugs--including assassins and arsonists convicted of crimes against women's abortion clinics and anti-gay assaults--turned out for their media event. Although it was a work day, the pro-choice, pro-LGBT forces outnumbered the bigots four to one. By afternoon, the pro-choice forces held the ground in front of the clinic. The "Army of God" never showed up. Police brass sent word to Rainbow Peacekeepers that a "deal" had been made with Army of God leaders. The cops said the reactionaries were leaving early, so the Rainbow Peacekeepers should "stand down" and not have a presence at the bars and clubs that night. After community consultation, there was almost unanimous agreement that it was not wise to accept the assurances of the police or trust the Army of God. So Rainbow Peacekeepers proceeded to be present and defend the LGBT establishments throughout the evening. Despite the Army of God's menacing threats, pro-choice and pro-LGBT forces organized, held their ground and outnumbered the right wing. But this is just the first round in this battle. Broader right-wing organizations have said they are coming to Buffalo in March to use the trial of Kopp to promote their anti-woman, racist, anti- Semitic and LGBT-bashing agenda. They will also argue that Kopp is a "hero" for killing Dr. Slepian and that he should be acquitted. Progressive people here will be organizing to boot these bigots out of Buffalo once again. Help from around the country will be deeply appreciated. For more information, see the www.buffalounitedforchoice.org Web site, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED], or call (716) 875-1965. - 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] Subscribe wwnews- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Support the voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php) ------------------ 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]>
