Conference to focus on anti-choice violence
Speakers from the "front lines" to offer perspectives on dealing with violence

By CHRISTINE VIDAL
News Services Editor

The UB Law Advocates for Choice will present a conference, "Legal Perspectives on Anti-Choice Violence: A Conference Dedicated to the Memory of Dr. Barnett Slepian," on March 27 in the Center for Tomorrow on the North Campus.

It will be free and open to the public. Registration will begin at 10 a.m.

The conference will feature a number of speakers who have dealt directly with anti-choice protesters on the front lines and in the courts. They will discuss the legal means that have been used to discourage and prosecute anti-choice violence and intimidation, as well as legal strategies for the future.

"The recent murder of Dr. Barnett Slepian has focused our attention once again on how anti-choice extremists are increasingly turning to harassment, threats and violence to accomplish their goals," said Lucinda Finley, professor of law, who will serve as moderator.

"A woman's right to privacy in her reproductive choices is upheld by the Constitution, yet the threats and intimidation used by anti-choice protesters necessitate stronger laws -such as the Reproductive Health Care Services Access and Anti-Violence Act now pending in the New York State Legislature-to protect patients and health-care workers and ensure safe access to reproductive-health clinics."

The speakers will include:

- Vicki Saporta, executive director of the National Abortion Federation (NAF), the largest professional association of abortion providers, who will discuss NAF's fight to ensure that abortion remains safe and accessible

- Donna Lieberman, head of the Reproductive Rights Project at the New York Civil Liberties Union, who will discuss issues of free speech and how they affect clinic protests and incitement to violence toward abortion providers

- Sara Love of The Feminist Majority Fund, who represented the National Organization for Women in "NOW v. Scheidler," a case that successfully used the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Law (RICO) to convict a group accused of attempting to shut down two clinics through threats and physical violence

Tentatively scheduled to speak is Maria Vullo, counsel to Planned Parenthood in the recent Portland, Ore., case, "Planned Parenthood of Columbia-Willamette v. American Coalition of Life Activists."

For more information on the conference, email UB Law Advocates for Choice at UBProChoice@yahoo.com.