The liberal group ProgressNow Colorado assembled Planned Parenthood supporters on the state Capitol steps Tuesday to characterize the rhetoric of anti-abortion Republicans as the match that lit the fuse in last Friday’s mass shooting in Colorado Springs.
ProgressNow Colorado’s executive director, Amy Runyon-Harms, called out a list of Colorado Republicans who have spoken against Planned Parenthood with language she characterized as hostile.
“Along with these policy changes has come an increase in hateful, ugly rhetoric, some of which, I believe, contributes to an increase of violence against abortion providers,” Run yon-Harms said.
Among those ProgressNow called out was state Rep. JoAnn Windholz, a Republican from Commerce City.
“Violence is never the answer, but we must start pointing out who is the real culprit,” Windholz wrote on her Facebook page Monday. “The true instigator of this violence and all violence at any pph (Planned Parenthood) facility, is pph themselves. Violence begets violence. So pph, YOU STOP THE VIOLENCE INSIDE YOUR WALLS.”
Many top Republicans and abortion-rights groups have condemned the shootings in Colorado Springs.
Karen Middleton, the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, wants attacks on abortion clinics classified as domestic terrorism.
“More public officials in Colorado and across the country, not just advocacy groups and the people on the front line, need to take a stand opposing domestic terrorism and in support of women’s health,” she said.
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174, jbunch@denverpost.com or @joeybunch
