A pro-life pregnancy center in Ohio was vandalized over the weekend with pro-abortion messages, including “Abort God.”
The vandal wrote “Jane’s Revenge” on the HerChoice building, the name of a pro-abortion militant group that has taken credit for arson attacks and firebombings of pregnancy centers and pro-life organizations across the country.
🚨BREAKING: Bowling Green Pregnancy Center Vandalized By Abortion Group.
Read the story here: https://t.co/FAQ2ypcNRI pic.twitter.com/eIA4CxrEZA
— Ohio Right to Life #EndAbortionOhio (@ohiolife) April 15, 2023
Only two people have been charged, despite over 200 attacks nationwide.
HerChoice, also known as the Bowling Green Pregnancy Center (BGPC), provides women with ultrasounds, STI testing, parenting classes, and pregnancy tests. They also offer free supplies like formula, clothing, and diapers for babies and toddlers.
Rochelle Sikora, the executive director of HerChoice, told Fox News that the vandalism happened on the morning of April 15.
“This vile attack is part of a nationwide movement to intimidate, threaten, and terrorize pregnancy centers,” Sikora said. “These tactics are not only anti-American, they are based on misconceptions, misinformation, and outright lies.”
“Pregnancy centers offer free medical services, educational resources, material assistance, and support to mothers, fathers, and families in need, especially those facing unexpected pregnancies,” she continued. “Through the network of pregnancy centers across Ohio, families have access to over $15.1 million worth of services and materials.”
Sikora continued, “HerChoice specifically provides pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, limited STI testing, birth and parenting classes, and material assistance to those in need” and that their “love for women in the community will not wane in the face of these threats.”
“In fact, our resolve to serve is only strengthened,” Sikora said. “For those looking to help us respond to this vandalism with love and compassion, we invite you to join our mission to love, serve, and equip anyone facing a pregnancy decision with Christ-centered resources and support that empower them to pursue life for themselves and their unborn child.”
Those who wish to donate to the organization can do so on its website.
Ohio Right to Life’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Range, responded to the attack, saying, “Those who work at the BGPC are some of the kindest, loving, and caring individuals you could ever meet. Knowing these individuals personally, this attack on their center will only strengthen their resolve to continue to love those in need.”
Range said that within hours of the vandalism being discovered, a group of college students and local Knights of Columbus came to help clean up the vandalism.
“In the broader context, though, there have been well over 100 attacks against pro-life pregnancy centers and pro-life organizations since last year,” continued Range. “Everyone in this state and nation, no matter their political affiliation or stance on abortion, should support centers and organizations that help mothers. I pray local officials, statewide elected members, and national leaders will all rise to the moment and speak out against these attacks to put an end to these senseless attacks once and for all.”
The FBI announced on June 17 that it is investigating the attacks as “potential acts of domestic violent extremism.” In January, the agency offered $25,000 rewards for information leading to arrests.
The anonymous “Jane’s Revenge” movement became active after it was revealed that the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade.
Catholic Vote has been tracking the attacks since the leak. As of April 19, 2023, the organization has tracked 84 incidents.
In a manifesto posted by Jane’s Revenge on June 15, 2022, the group vowed to escalate their attacks after the Supreme Court’s decision. They also took credit for arsons and vandalism at pregnancy centers in “Madison WI, Ft. Collins CO, Reisertown MA, Olympia WA, Des Moines IA, Lynwood WA, Washington DC, Ashville NC, Buffalo NY, Hollywood FL, Vancouver WA, Frederick MA, Denton TX, Gresham OR, Eugene OR, Portland OR, among others.”
They stated, “we promised to take increasingly drastic measures against oppressive infrastructures. Rest assured that we will, and those measures may not come in the form of something so easily cleaned up as fire and graffiti.”
“From here forward, any anti-choice group who closes their doors, and stops operating will no longer be a target. But until you do, it’s open season, and we know where your operations are,” the post stated. “Through attacking, we find joy, courage, and strip the veneer of impenetrability held by these violent institutions.”
The agency is urging anyone with information on the attacks to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), contact their local FBI office, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. They noted that those who report information may remain anonymous.
