Abortion Providers Heighten Security Amid Planned D.C. Protest by Extremist Group
The National Abortion Federation has issued a critical security alert to abortion clinics across the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, warning of potential unrest and violence linked to an extremist anti-abortion group's planned demonstration. Rescue Resurrection, a far-right organization, has announced a protest outside the Health and Human Services building this Thursday, calling on the Trump administration to impose severe restrictions and ultimately ban the abortion pill mifepristone.
Escalating Threats and Historical Context of Violence
This protest coincides with what would have been the 53rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, adding symbolic weight to the event. Randall Terry, the founder of Rescue Resurrection and a notorious anti-abortion leader, has openly invited followers to join him in civil disobedience, potentially leading to arrests. The group's website initially promoted a "national day of rescue" involving coordinated attacks on clinics nationwide, though this has since been deleted and replaced with the D.C. protest plans.
Brittany Fonteno, CEO of the National Abortion Federation, confirmed to HuffPost that at least one planned blockade of a D.C. abortion clinic has been identified for this week. Harassment and violence against clinic providers and staff are unfortunately commonplace, particularly during late January when the Roe anniversary and the March for Life rally occur consecutively. However, Fonteno emphasized that this year presents a "perfect storm" of extremism, exacerbated by federal policy shifts.
Federal Policy Changes and Their Impact on Clinic Safety
As one of his first presidential actions, Donald Trump significantly limited enforcement of the FACE Act, a federal law designed to protect abortion providers and patients. He also pardoned 23 individuals convicted under this act, many of whom have reportedly resumed harassing and threatening clinic workers. Republicans have further pushed to repeal the FACE Act entirely, sending a clear message that federal protection for abortion clinics has weakened.
"This is the beginning of a new chapter of violence," Fonteno stated, highlighting how providers now feel they are working against the federal government. The National Abortion Federation has responded by distributing regional security alerts and hosting community calls to enhance security measures at brick-and-mortar clinics. Some providers are considering turning patients away or canceling in-clinic services on the anniversary to avoid exposing individuals to increased harassment.
Historical Violence and Modern Resurgence
Randall Terry's involvement adds a chilling historical dimension, as he also founded Operation Rescue, which coordinated some of the most violent anti-abortion attacks in the 1980s and 1990s. These incidents directly led to the passage of the FACE Act in 1994. Rescue Resurrection's rhetoric suggests a revival of such large-scale clinic violence, with Terry writing on the group's website, "If we believe abortion is murder, we must act like it's murder. We must respond with courage and sacrifice equal to this crime."
Recent data underscores the severity of the threat. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the National Abortion Federation reports a 538% increase in clinic entrance obstructions, a 913% rise in stalking of clinic staff, and a 133% surge in bomb threats. A report from the Abortion Care Network indicates that extremists are increasingly targeting the few remaining clinics in states where abortion remains legal.
Provider Responses and Security Measures
In response to the escalating dangers, clinics are taking unprecedented security precautions. Diane Horvath, an OB-GYN at Partners In Abortion Care, revealed that her clinic, located less than an hour outside D.C., has rebuilt its front desk area and installed bulletproof windows following Trump's pardon of anti-abortion extremists. Horvath also noted a breakdown in communication with federal authorities, stating, "We used to have really excellent contact with the FBI... but we can't even get someone from the FBI to return phone calls."
Melissa Grant, COO of Carafem, which operates clinics in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Chicago, expressed concern over the emboldenment of anti-choice protesters due to lax FACE Act enforcement. "It's very clear that [the FACE Act] won't be enforced, so it has emboldened some of the people within our communities to potentially try to break local laws and ordinances because there's no federal teeth to protect us," Grant said.
Political Divisions and the Focus on Mifepristone
The protest at the HHS building highlights growing divisions within the anti-abortion movement, with hardline groups like Rescue Resurrection expressing dissatisfaction with the Trump administration's approach to mifepristone. This drug, used in medication abortions, has become a focal point for Republican attacks, especially as mail-access has increased abortion rates post-Roe. Some anti-abortion organizations are calling for the firing of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., following reports that the FDA is delaying a safety assessment of mifepristone until after the 2026 midterm elections, despite the drug's 25-year safety record.
Rescue Resurrection's recent activities, including a blockade at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Memphis where 17 protesters were arrested, demonstrate the group's aggressive tactics. As threats and violence against abortion providers continue to rise, clinics remain on high alert, balancing patient care with the urgent need for enhanced security in an increasingly hostile environment.
