For years, opponents of abortion rights have complained to local, state, and federal law enforcement that Theodore “Ted” Shulman, a radical abortion-rights activist, was harrassing and threatening them. Nothing ever came of it until late February, when the anti-abortion rights blogosphere lit up with rumors that Shulman had finally been arrested….
Now Mother Jones can confirm that Shulman, the 49-year-old son of famed feminist author and activist Alix Kates Shulman, faces a 6-count federal indictment for allegedly threatening 2 unnamed anti-abortion activists. The charges, which each carry a maximum 5-year-sentence, could land Shulman in prison for decades if he’s convicted on all counts. Shulman pleaded not guilty.
My point in posting this story is not to conflate this nut's behavior with the pro-choice movement in general, but rather to acknowledge the fact that violent extremists exist on both sides of this difficult debate. The vast, vast majority of pro- and anti- abortion activists reject violence and threats thereof -- yet the media tends to highlight the handful of despicable, militant anti-abortion zealots who take matters into their own hands, while ignoring the pro "choice" radicals.
Americans of all political stripes should come together to condemn Alix Shulman, Scott Roeder, and their ilk.