Crossing the line

Clinic bombing goes beyond right to protest

During the past few weeks, the nation has celebrated the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a visionary dedicated to non-violent protest. Last Thursday, in the wake of these celebrations, the bombing of an abortion clinic in Birmingham reminded the country that King's ideas have not been understood by all. The incident does not boil down to a pro-choice versus pro-life issue - it is a woman's legal right to get an abortion; she should be able to act on this right without risk to her own life.

In the bombing, officer Robert D. Sanderson died as he was working as a guard at the front door. Emily Lyons, a nurse at the clinic, sustained serious injuries to her face and legs. Perhaps most harmful is the indelible mark this act of cowardice has left on the national psyche. This is an atrocious act of terrorism that goes well beyond the abortion debate.

The right to protest and the right to free speech are two staples of American life - instilling fear and threatening lives are a far cry from these concepts. What happened to writing congressional representatives and picketing? Who decided that killing innocent bystanders in the name of saving lives is rational?

This is not the first bombing of an abortion clinic. Last year, two bombs were detonated at an Atlanta clinic, but nobody was seriously injured. Officials have not ruled out a connection between this bombings and the Birmingham attack. But the question remains: How can one justify killing innocent people who are exercising one of their rights as Americans? This does not work out logically - but terrorism rarely makes sense.

As the law stands in Alabama, abortion is legal inside specified clinics. It is bad enough that women often face protesters at the doors of abortion clinics - now there is a possible threat to their lives. Even when it is legal, abortion can sometimes be nearly as dangerous today as it did back in the days of back-alley surgeries.

For the past 200 years, picketing and letter-writing has proven to be much more effective than violent riots and, most recently, bombings. The genius behind such peaceful protest is that through one's fight, an educational process takes place. Through this dialogue, not only can the media pick up and spread a variety of ideas, but average people around the country can learn about both sides of the issue. The only outcome to be expected from a violent bombing is tragedy, shock and disdain for the criminal.

One issue that remains unaddressed in many ways is the rise in domestic terrorism in the United States. In the past few years, Americans have witnessed churches burning, federal buildings bombed, and packages exploding in recipients' faces. Violent and rash measures should not be a vehicle to gain attention.

Federal agents claim that they are going to track down and convict the killers in this case. This is the least that they should do. The next step is making sure that women - who under the law have a right to choose whether or not to have an abortion - can safely go to abortion clinics.

The bombing in Birmingham has taught Americans a new lesson about mutual respect and how it can be abused. Bombing a clinic with the intent of harming human life under the aegis of protecting unborn children should not be tolerated. Pro-choice and pro-life groups have spoken out against the recent actions. But this does little, considering that people who would go so far as to set a bomb are not affiliated with these agencies. These horrible acts will not stop until there is more civilized debate and public pressure for peace.

02-03-98