Dr. Caitlin Bernard, a Fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health and ob/gyn in Indiana has been under attack by anti-abortion extremists across the country.
President & CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health Dr. Jamila Perritt issues a statement in response:
“What we are seeing from anti-abortion extremists in Indiana is emblematic of what is happening across the country as they attack, harass, and speak misinformation and hate about providers of abortion care. We want to be clear in our support, solidarity, and admiration of Dr. Caitlin Bernard and all of the members of the PRH community who are fighting to provide compassionate, life-saving, essential care.
An attack against Dr. Bernard is an attack against us all.
“Dr. Caitlin Bernard did her job. Dr. Caitlin Bernard showed up for a patient who needed the health care she expertly provides when no one else could or would. She did what every abortion provider has done: hold space with and care for a young person as they navigate an unexpected experience in their life, something they never wished or wanted for themselves. To watch anti-abortion extremists paint providers with violent lies makes it abundantly clear that a driving reason for abortion restrictions are to use threat, intimidation, and surveillance make the health care abortion providers offer impossible to obtain. They’re attacking her for truly caring for a young person. An attack against Dr. Bernard is an attack against us all.
“We are proud of Dr. Bernard and we are proud of the rest of our community. Abortion providers are not going anywhere. We will not be silenced in the face of lies and harassment. We will not cower. We will not capitulate. Abortion is an act of love. It is an act of liberation. We will not cave under the threats of extremists trying to harm, control, and silence us. We are not going anywhere because abortion care is not going anywhere.”
