A Christian anti-abortion group in a suburb of Buffalo, New York, had their offices firebombed and vandalized on Tuesday, in what the company CEO called ‘pro-abortion Kristallnacht’.
The attackers spray painted the slogan ‘Jane Was Here’ on the side of the building – a calling card of the activists Jane’s Revenge.
Similar attacks were carried out in Washington DC on June 3, and in Madison, Wisconsin, on May 8.
The Buffalo attack came hours before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned of a rising risk of violence, ahead of an expected Supreme Courtoverturning of Roe v Wade.
‘Threat actors have recently mobilized to violence due to factors such as personal grievances, reactions to current events, and adherence to violent extremist ideologies, including racially or ethnically motivated or anti-government/antiauthority violent extremism,’ said a National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin, issued on Tuesday.
‘Given a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court case about abortion rights, individuals who advocate both for and against abortion have, on public forums, encouraged violence, including against government, religious, and reproductive healthcare personnel and facilities, as well as those with opposing ideologies,’ the DHS alert said.
A senior official, in the threat alert, warned that ‘going forward, we’re concerned that grievances related to restricting abortion access in general could fuel a broader response.’
The Buffalo organization, CompassCare, pointed out in a statement on Tuesday that the governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, has designated funds to protect abortion clinics but not to protect organizations like theirs.
‘Ironically, New York’s Governor not only ignored the violence but instead earmarked $35 million in taxpayer funds to increase security at abortion clinics,’ they said.
Jim Harden, the CEO, likened the attack on his facility to the beginning of the Holocaust.
‘This is the pro-abortion Kristallnacht,’ said the father of ten.
‘Because of this act of violence, the needs of women facing unplanned pregnancy will go unmet and babies will die.
‘I wonder if Gov. Hochul will veto the Pregnancy Center Investigation Bill?
‘I wonder if Attorney General Letitia James will investigate these cowardly criminals?
‘CompassCare will rebuild because women deserve better. CompassCare will not stop serving because pre-born boys and girls deserve protection.’
Police in Amherst, the Buffalo suburb, have launched an investigation and are treating the case as an act of arson.
Brian Kulpa, Amherst town supervisor, said: ‘With reports that this fire was set intentionally, I am disgusted that lives were put at risk.’
Two firefighters who responded to the scene were injured and treated for minor injuries, the Amherst police department.
‘Our thoughts are with the firefighters as they recover,’ Kulpa said.
‘A violent response is never the answer. There is no place in Amherst for such attacks.
‘Amherst police are working with our partners to continue its investigation to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.’
Jane’s Revenge has claimed responsibility for throwing Molotov cocktails into the offices of the Wisconsin Family Action in Madison, as well as vandalizing a pro-life center in Seattle.
The group derives its name from an underground abortion network operating in Chicago in the late 1960s and early ’70s called the Jane Collective.
