Physicians Outraged by Murder of Abortion Provider George Tiller, MD

Doctors Call on Authorities to Find Tiller’s Murderer

New York, NY—Abortion provider George Tiller, MD, was killed today at his church in Wichita, Kansas. Dr. Tiller was one of the nation’s few late term abortion providers, and had been targeted by anti-choice extremists throughout his career. He was a former board member of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health, which today released the following statement from board chair Suzanne T. Poppema, MD:

“I am heartbroken and outraged to learn of Dr. George Tiller’s untimely death. Dr. Tiller was a dear friend and colleague, and an unsung hero to thousands of women whose lives he saved. He faced vicious harassment throughout his entire career, yet no physical or legal threat could sway Dr. Tiller from his purpose: to provide women with safe, legal abortion services.

“Violence and murder will never end the need for abortion. Nor will it lessen the determination of the thousands of physicians who help women end pregnancies they cannot continue. We will keep providing abortions so that women can control the size and timing of their families.

“The United States government must take swift action to find and prosecute the person or persons responsible for Dr. Tiller’s death, and anti-abortion leaders must denounce this cruel and cowardly act. With great sadness and discouragement we call on the government to reactivate its protection system for our nation’s abortion providers.”

Doctors with relevant expertise are available to comment.