500 rally in Cincinnati

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Manor Smeal CINCINNATI, Ohio—Eleanor Smeal, president of the National Organization for Women (NOW), addressed a rally of 500 pro-choice advocates at the University of Cincinnati (UC) on Aug. 3. The event united those who want to defend a woman's right to choose against recent attacks by religious fanatics.

Smeal outlined NOW's lawsuit against anti-choice extremists Joseph Scheidler, Joan Andrews, John Ryan, and their antichoice cohorts. She explained that clinic violence is a nationwide problem. The desperate anti-choice minority has lost the battle to persuade people of their viewpoint and has turned to increasingly violent tactics nationally.

The goal of the suit is to serve a nationwide federal-court injunction against clinic harassment. Smeal also gave encouragement "to the people who are providing these vital health services to women. " She termed the clinic doctors "heroes. "' UC Women's Studies hosted the event, Parenthood doctors. The local media, particularly the Cincinnati Enquirer and the Cincinnati Post, have exacerbated the situation by giving front-page or lead-story coverage to every action and word of these "right-to-lifers." Some have been turned into local media stars by repeated interviews and photographs.

Exasperated by the increasingly menacing protests, Planned Parenthood sought judicial relief. On June 19, Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge ARETTE ONS ME WROTE CREAKER Thomas Crush issued an injunction limiting to five the number of pickets directly in front of the clinic and forbidding loud singing, praying, and shouting near the facility.

"Project Jericho" has resisted the injunction and its key leaders face nearly 40 criminal charges in connection with the clinic protests. Jerry Falwell, the evangelist, has entered the fight by promising to provide all the legal aid the "pro-lifers" need. 'That'll teach 'em respect for life!"

In response to the mounting attacks on the abortion clinics, Planned Parenthood's advice to pro-choice supporters over the past several months was to send money and stay home. It wanted no counter-mobili -zations at the site of the fire-bombed clinic.

All pro-choice groups were asked to refrain from activities during the months of the court fight, believing this would give them a better chance at a favorable court ruling. The actual effect, however, was to disorient pro-choice supporters.

In January, for example, a spirited rally was held here in response to the dual clinic firebombing the previous month. But the March For Women's Lives scheduled for March 9, which ended up drawing over 90,000 people in Washington, D.C., was not even announced.

Planned Parenthood agreed to participate in the Aug. 3 Smeal rally since it had been successful in gaining the court injunction. This was a welcome departure from its previous strategy.

The rally, in turn, provided a boost to Planned Parenthood. A novel fund-raising project to rebuild the fire-bombed clinic was launched on Aug. 3. The "Pledge-a Picket" plan works like this: For each picket at Cincinnati's clinics, hospitals, or doctor's homes, donors pledge money to Planned Parenthood. It is hoped that the pickets will be depressed to learn that their presence insures a hefty donation to the abortion clinic.

Commission of Ohio, Fankhauser had