Arsonist Arrested Within Four Days of Attack on Michigan in Planned Parenthood—No Arrests Made after 58 Days in 45 Attacks on Pro-life Pregnancy Centers (Guest: Jim Harden)

On August 4, a Michigan man was arrested after attempting to light Kalamazoo Planned Parenthood on fire on July 31, causing minor damage. The immediate multi-agency, federal manhunt that ensued resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Joshua Brereton in just four days. Given the instantaneous action of law enforcement—including the FBI—does this situation suggest that the FBI is intentionally slow-walking investigations into attacks against pro-life organizations?

Q&A:

Answer: On August 31^st, fires were lit at a Planned Parenthood in Kalamazoo, MI. Fires were ignited on the roof using a Duraflame log. 

Answer: Immediately following the attack on the Planned Parenthood, a multi-agency investigation ensued. Four days later, 25-year-old Joshua Brereton was arrested on charges of arson. According to a press release published by the United States Attorney’s Office, the case is being prosecuted as arson by the Assistant United States Attorney, Stephanie Carowan.

Answer: In stark contrast to the swift justice given to the isolated attack on Planned Parenthood, there have been no arrests in the 45 attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers—the most brutal of which occurred on June 7^th with the firebombing of CompassCare’s pro-life medical office in Buffalo. The FBI had not begun a forensic analysis of CompassCare’s extensive video surveillance footage until July 13^th—five weeks after the attack. 

Answer: Apparently the Senate Judiciary Committee may believe the FBI is slow-walking investigations in the scores of attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers and churches. August 4, the Committee grilled FBI Director (2:21:30-2:25:28), Christopher A. Wray, asking how many domestic terrorism investigations the FBI is currently pursuing with regard to the attacks on pro-life organizations and churches. He said he is not aware of how many investigations. When asked how many of the investigations into pro-abortion activists have resulted in federal prosecution under the FACE Act, Wray said, “I don’t have that number.” According to Rev. Jim Harden, CompassCare CEO, the number is zero.

Answer: CompassCare CEO Rev. Jim Harden denounces the attack, stating, “Joshua Brennan is no better than Jane’s Revenge. Christian pro-lifers do not repay evil for evil. But law enforcement must enforce the law equally. If the FBI can find out where a Duraflame log was purchased using ashes in order to arrest this criminal within days, I don’t need to be a police investigator to know that the FBI, at best, has shirked their responsibilities regarding the brutal firebombing of CompassCare’s Buffalo medical office.” 

About James R. Harden…

Rev. James R. Harden, M.Div. is the CEO of CompassCare Pregnancy Services and lives outside of Rochester, NY with his wife and ten children. Rev. Harden pioneered the first measurable and repeatable medical model in the pregnancy center movement, helping hundreds of centers nationwide become more effective at reaching more women and saving more babies from abortion. He has written extensively on medical ethics, executive leadership, and pro-life strategy. Recently his pro-life medical center in Buffalo, NY was firebombed.

CONTACT: Gerald McGlothlin at: jerry.specialguests@gmail.com and 919-437-0001