Operation Rescue is a pro-life organization founded by Randall Terry in 1986.
After the murder of late-term abortion doctor George Tiller, Tiller's family announced that his clinic, Women's Health Care Services, Inc. in Kansas, would be permanently closed. Operation Rescue has reportedly offered to purchase the clinic from the family. An attorney for the family refused to comment on the offer, calling it an extremist publicity stunt.http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ABORTION_SHOOTING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-06-10-08-48-16
Background
Originally founded in California, Operation Rescue promotes against abortion and strives to educate the public about the "truth" to the procedure. The organization protests at abortion clinics, bringing its "Truth Trucks," which feature graphic images of aborted fetuses.
Operation Rescue was involved in the 1991 "Summer of Mercy" protest at Tiller's clinic in Kansas, which resulted in the arrest of over 2,700 people.http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ABORTION_SHOOTING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-06-10-08-48-16
Rights to Name
In 2008, Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry, who had left the organization, sued president Troy Newman over the rights to the name "Operation Rescue." Former Operation Rescue employees support Newman and the work of the the organization and claim Terry is preventing the efforts of the organization and scamming people out of money.http://www.operationrescue.org/noblog/three-statements-concerning-randall-terrys-unbiblical-lawsuit-against-troy-newman/
References
Fast Facts
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Founded
1986 in California
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Founder
Randall Terry
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President
Troy Newman
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Fact:
Tiller was murdered in his church on May 31, 2009
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Fact:
Moved to Kansas in 2002 to campaign against Dr. George Tiller
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Fact:
Suspect in Tiller's murder, Scott Roeder, linked to the organization
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Fact:
Tiller was one of few in the United States that performed late-term abortion
