On Saturday June 14, an individual targeted multiple Minnesota state legislators and their spouses with gun violence, tragically ending the lives of former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. It was later found that the individual who murdered them had a list of 70 other targets, some of which being abortion providers in the state of Minnesota. We condemn this violence. Dr. Jamila Perritt, ob/gyn and abortion provider in DC and President & CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health responds:
“Politically motivated violence like what we saw in Minnesota this weekend is a tragic consequence of the normalization of hate-speech, violent rhetoric, and terrorizing behavior against individuals committed to social justice and community well-being. Gun violence continues to be a devastating public health crisis in our country, and when combined with extremist nationalist ideals like that of the individual this weekend, individuals, families, and communities suffer.
“This event is a part of a longstanding history of violence against policymakers, community leaders, and organizers who are committed to investing in the lives of communities who have been most systemically marginalized. Senator Melissa Hortman’s career was one filled with unwavering work towards a world where people could access housing, abortion care, gender affirming care, paid family and medical leave, and other critical resources for marginalized communities including police reform.
No one should be threatened for doing their job. No one should be threatened for accessing or providing abortion care.
“It was absolutely heartbreaking to know that in addition to those who were injured and killed, our community members of abortion providers were among those also planned to be attacked. No one should be threatened for doing their job. No one should be threatened for accessing or providing abortion care. While news outlets are claiming there is no motive behind this violence, there is an obvious connection between the people this individual targeted and was planning to continue targeting: they are all individuals who have committed their lives to pushing back against political violence that targets young people, LGBTQ people, Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, and people with low incomes.
“Make no mistake, this violence is connected to, and part and parcel of, the ideologies of the current administration; one that values control, coercion, and hate and devalues autonomy, justice, and human life. We will always work towards a world where everyone, including people who provide abortion care, can live in their communities free from political violence, shame, and stigma.”
