Terrible New Attack on Abortion Clinic Landlord Delightfully Backfires

By Cassie Murdoch

While we're all well aware of the fact that there are anti-choice protesters harassing people and doing terrible things every single day in our fine country, it's useful to occasionally be reminded, in order to sense the urgency of the situation, of the awfulness of some of their tactics. And we also need to be reminded of the power of taking action against — or flat-out ignoring — these extremist assholes.
For a fresh view of the depths to which the most vile anti-choicers will sink, all we need to do is talk to Todd Stave, who you might remember as the Maryland man who suffered endless harassment for being the landlord of one of the few abortion clinics where late-term abortions are performed. In response, Stave started Voice of Choice, the awesome organization that gives anti-abortion protesters a taste of their own medicine by harassing them back in the politest possible way (a calm phone call along the lines of "I know where you live"). But Stave says that the people who've been going after him had sunk to a new low, recently distributing a very disturbing flyer around the neighborhood in Baltimore where Stave's in-laws live. His in-laws, mind you, have absolutely nothing to do with the abortion clinic — their biggest "crime" is having a daughter who happens to be married to Todd.

The truly heinous flyer features a picture of Todd and of his wife. It asks — in not one but three alarming fonts! — "Where is [redacted wife's name]? What happened to your neighbor after she met and married… Todd Michael Stave?" And the flier helpfully provides the answer: "She profits from the killing of innocent pre-born babies." The flier includes, of course, the obligatory disturbing images of aborted fetuses, which the protesters are so fond of putting on every sign and poster they make. For good measure, they've added the inflammatory phrases, "Stave Family Abortion Cartel" and "What Will You Do to End THIS Holocaust?"
But the real kicker is that the flyer lists the names and contact info of Todd's in-laws and urges people to call or visit them and ask to speak to their daughter. This is obviously as scary as it is batshit insane. What are you going to do, call them and inform them of what they already know? Did you know your son-in-law is a landlord?!

You can see the flyer by clicking here, if only to understand the magnitude of what these assholes are doing, but be warned, it contains very graphic images.
I spoke with Todd about this latest incident, and he was remarkably calm, which seems to be his gift. He reported that when his mother-in-law discovered the flyer she was horrified, as one would expect, but felt better once a reporter showed up and she realized that, in fact, nearly everyone was sympathetic to their family. One person called her to see what was going on and make sure she was okay, but nobody has yet called or shown up to harass them.

Todd is confident he knows exactly who's behind these flyers. It's a man named William Simpson. He's affiliated with a group called Defend Life, which also organized the protests outside of the school where Stave's daughter goes. But Simpson seems to be acting largely on his own in launching the flyer offensive. This isn't the first time he's done something like this; he was previously in the news in 1997, when he lived in Texas, for filming license plates of cars parked outside strip clubs and mailing the evidence to those people's homes (which he located using DMV records). In other words, he is a quite the class act.
While Simpson is still bringing the fight literally to Stave's front yard, the other group who was first harassing him, the Maryland Coalition for Life, has been thoroughly thwarted by Stave's ingenious payback solution. Stave says they can no longer find people willing to call him at home because they know they'll be flooded with a deluge of calls from Voice of Choice. Sweet, sweet justice. But, of course, Stave is still in the thick of it thanks to Simpson's crazy flyers and continued harassment from Defend Life. In one of the most nonsensical anti-abortion protests imaginable the organization went so far as to have someone camp outside the dental office run by Stave's brother-in-law.

The good news: As awful as these flyers are, they're backfiring in a spectacularly big way. First off, they're not exactly convincing anyone to hate or harass Stave and his family—because how often have you picked up the printed work of a madman and thought, "Huh, this guy really has a point. I will definitely call this stranger and yell at them." But more importantly, these flyers and the protests organized by Defend Life have brought a ton of attention to Stave and Voice of Choice and their attempts to stop all of this madness.
So while you or I might see red were pictures of dead fetuses littered across our mother-in-law's lawn, Stave takes the long view. He's not angry or sad; he's hopeful that the more these people make themselves look nuts (which they're doing a bang up job of, so far), the more people will start to fight back against this fringe anti-abortion element. As he told me, "It brings people back into the center and starts a reasonable dialogue about what to do about it."

The momentum is definitely building behind Stave. He says that after his neighborhood was canvassed with flyers of him in a Nazi uniform (and don't forget the requisite bloody fetus photos!) so much attention was generated — including our coverage — that Voice of Choice has nearly doubled in size. He got a lot of donations and support that he otherwise would have never gotten. He says he even heard from people who are anti-choice but oppose the extreme tactics being used by this scary band of protesters. How's that for a reasonable dialogue?

So, big shout out to the William Simpson, the biggest creep in the land, for finding the line and repeatedly crossing it enough to turn people away. And a bigger shout-out to Stave for continuing to make delicious lemonade out of the heinous, incredibly bitter lemons being hurled at him. Blog Source Article:
Published: 05/08/2012 08:45 PM

1848- The first women’s rights convention is held in Seneca Falls, NY

1893- Colorado becomes the first state to grant women the vote

1916- Margaret Sanger opens the first US birth-control clinic in Brooklyn, NY

1919- Congress passes the federal women’s suffrage amendment

1936- Birth control information is no longer classified as obscene

1960- The F.D.A. approves the first birth control pill

1963- Congress passes the Equal Pay Act

1965- The Supreme Court strikes down the last law preventing married couples from using contraception

1969- California becomes the first state to adopt a "no fault" divorce law

1972- Congress passes the Equal Rights Amendment (it died in 1982 when the required 38 states failed to ratify)

1973- Roe v. Wade establishes a woman’s right to a safe and legal abortion

1992- In Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the Supreme Court reaffirms a woman’s right to abortion

1994- Congress passes the Violence Against Women Act

2009- President Obama signs the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act

Anyone looking at the above timeline should come away with a sense of just how long women have been struggling for equality. “Gender equity” and “women’s rights” are, historically speaking, not concepts with a long and universally accepted track record among men. It’s been a long and difficult struggle for women to get to where they are today. There are still inequities for women vis a vis men, but women today find themselves on a much more equal footing than their mothers enjoyed.

That’s why what’s happening in state legislatures nationwide these days is so disturbing. The severely Conservative legislatures installed by voters in many states in 2008 and 2010 have worked diligently to undermine a woman’s right to control her own body.

The anti-choice movement long ago recognized that a woman’s right to abortion couldn’t be defeated via a frontal assault. With Roe v. Wade the law of the land, those committed to destroying abortion rights have committed to waging a patient and incremental battle. While desiring above all else to see Roe v. Wade overturned, anti-choice zealots know that won’t happen. They understand a woman’s right to choose won’t be defeated by sledgehammer blows, so they’ve chosen to fight with rubber mallets. Patiently chipping away at abortion rights around the margins, the anti-choice zealots have adapted a long-term approach. They recognize that they may not be able to overturn Roe v. Wade, but they can work to eliminate the ancillary components that make abortion available and accessible. That’s exactly what they’re doing…and their efforts are bearing fruit.

TRAP laws, waiting periods, changing the legal definition of conception, and other dishonest but effective methods are showing results. Slowly but surely, access to abortion is being diminished, even as the right to abortion remains intact. Legislatures nationwide have not outlawed abortion directly, but they’ve kicked the supports out from under it. Anti-choice zealots may not be able to outlaw abortion, but by nibbling around the edges, they’re making it nearly impossible for a woman to obtain an abortion.

It used to be that the biggest threat to a woman’s right to choose came from protesters who camped out in front of clinics and screamed at women as they approached the entrance. That tactic is still alive and well, but it’s become secondary in importance and effectiveness to attempts to indirectly legislate abortion out of existence. There’s also the time-honored tradition of harassing providers, their families, their landlords, their vendors, and anyone else who can be targeted. Actual and implied threats are merely tools to be employed in the service of the larger goal of denying women the right to a safe and legal abortion.

The Far Right’s war on women has begun to expand beyond their desire to destroy abortion rights. It’s also spreading to the right to equal pay for equal work, and there are those in Congress opposed to renewing the Violence Against Women Act. An observer of current trends would have to ask if we’re not about to see a gradual rolling back of the rights women have worked so hard to achieve.  It would defy credibility to argue that women’s rights aren’t increasingly coming under attack.

The question is what women, and the men who care about them, will do?

Blog Source Article: Where is Front Line of the War on Women?
Published: 04/15/2012 04:34 PM

I want to welcome our new members and volunteers. Voice of Choice has grown nearly 100% in the past two weeks due to some very favorable exposure. The Washington Post published an article about Voice of Choice that had over 1 million hits.

The reporter, Petula Dvorak, called me on for a follow up interview on April 2. The feedback to the Post focused on two aspects how Voice of Choice approaches the problems of bullying and harassment. First we craft calm and measured responses. We want to send a message so that the people responsible for the anti-social behavior understand that they will be held accountable for their actions and at the same time lower the propensity for violence and hate.

Second, we respect everyone's first amendment rights and we respect everyone's opinions and beliefs. We do not agree with everyone's opinions and beliefs, but in America we respect everyone's rights to freedoms granted by our Constitution, but limited by laws and community standards. 

The exposure that Voice of Choice and our mission has received in the media and in the blogosphere has already had an impact.  Just shining a light on the threatening and offensive behavior or radical activists has diminished the activity.  Most people who know that their behavior is wrong do not want to be exposed or be held accountable, and the credible threat of unleashing an army of people bent on justice is enough to stop about 90% of people from bullying other people. That is consistent with classic bully behavior and it means that our mere existence is effective.

But we cannot break everyone’s resolve, and there is still much work for us to do.  We continue to receive requests from people for help with their harassment issues.  Now, with many more volunteers, we can more effectively come to their aid, and I am in the process of organizing our next campaigns.  Stay tuned!

The growth of Voice of Choice has been amazing, but we are now too big and have too many volunteers for me to work alone. I need at least a part time staff.  I am asking each of you for a donation of $36 for the year ($3 per month) so that we can hire someone. If you cannot afford it, please donate what you can.  And for those of you that can afford it, please help make up for those who cannot.

I believe in our mission,  and I know you do too.  I believe that our mere existence will give pause to people who might otherwise engage in anti-social behavior. Most important, I believe Voice of Choice is becoming a true force in preserving woman’s rights.   And I am grateful that you have chosen to join our effort. 

Todd Stave, Director

202-241-6277

Todd@vochoice.org

www.vochoice.org

______________________________

Blog Source Article: Recent Exposure and Continued Growth of Voice of Choice
Published: 04/13/2012 12:29 PM Voice of Choice founder Todd Stave was once again the target of anti-choice harassment:  a vile anti-Semitic flyer was left on his neighbors' doorsteps the night Todd was out of town.  Not so coincidentally, it was the night Todd was being honored with an award from NARAL for founding Voice of Choice.

Full story can be found in this Washington Jewish Week article.

To see the flyer, click here.  (WARNING:  GRAPHIC CONTENT)

___

Blog Source Article: Anti-abortion flier is 'over the top'
Published: 03/30/2012 07:36 PM Congratulations to Voice of Choice Director, Todd Stave, for being honored as the recipient of the Jan Yanehiro Speak Out for Choice Award at the 17th annual NARAL Pro-Choice America Power of Choice Awards.

Todd accepted this award in San Francisco on Wednesday, March 21 in San Francisco, CA.

A video of Todd's award and acceptance speech can be seen here: http://youtu.be/dsvPGplBRkc

Blog Source Article: Todd Stave Honored with Award by NARAL Pro-Choice America
Published: 03/30/2012 05:27 PM

My husband and I took my teenaged daughter for an abortion at a Houston clinic. We drove past protestors who had a giant, almost billboard-sized sign showing what must have been a late-term abortion or some such horror. There were a handful of screaming protestors, ironically mostly males. They were not on the clinic's property but across the street, but were still in view of the clinic door and entire parking lot. My husband pulled as close to the door as he possibly could and I walked my daughter in with a jacket pulled over her head. He parked the car and had to walk across the lot to their
screaming at him.

This clinic did a pregnancy test and then an ultrasound and we were told that the fetus wasn't where it was supposed to be, that it appeared to be tubal and that they weren't equipped to handle that. They advised us to go to the Family Planning clinic.

I scheduled an appointment with Family Planning. My daughter and I walked from the parking lot with an attendant who helped keep the one protestor who was there that day away from us. Later on I came downstairs and sat outside (I used to smoke) and that protestor walked over to the fence and started calling to me. I tried to ignore her but she kept saying "I know you can hear me" and "You and your daughter have a choice" and "Don't kill this poor child" and that sort of thing. A Family Planning staffer came over  and asked if I needed  assistance, at which point I got up and just went back inside. I have to say that Family Planning really did a good job of looking out for its patients and their families.

Family Planning (at least in Houston) isn't equipped to deal with a tubal pregnancy either so we wound up at my OB/GYN's office. Chemotherapy drugs were administered to terminate the pregnancy.

The sad thing about the Family Planning experience in particular (even though she didn't have the gory billboard or anything) was that there WAS no choice at that point. We knew it wasn't a viable pregnancy and here was a rank stranger insisting that I listen to her and that there were alternatives. Why should I have to explain anything about my daughter's situation to a stranger?

Blog Source Article: Why should I have to explain
Published: 03/25/2012 09:55 AM  

STATES ATTEMPT TO 
NEUTRALIZE ROE

By Sofia Logos

In the 2010 midterm elections, 89 freshmen Tea party Republicans were elected to the House of Representatives, giving the Republicans a majority caucus of 242. They were elected on promises of cutting budgets, reducing expenses, and creating jobs for a public desperately needing work.

State by state, Tea Party Governors and legislators were elected on the same promises.

Budget promises were soon forgotten as a record number of bills attacking Roe were introduced in State Legislatures. In 2011, of the eleven hundred bills introduced, 135 passed, each finding a way into a woman's bedroom, and between a woman and her doctor^[1].

The following chart represents the state laws intended to take away your rights to choice. It is not comprehensive; new laws are being passed and challenged every day.

As you read this, it is important to remember that although these states have put obstacles in the way, ABORTION IS LEGAL in all 50 States.

1/1/2012	Abortion Counseling and Waiting Periods			Parental Involvement in Minors' Abortions			Public Funding of Abortion for Poor Women		Refusal Clauses for Abortion Services
State	Mandated counseling includes information designed to discourage abortion	State imposes waiting period between counseling and abortion	Woman must make two trips: one for abortion counseling and another for the procedure	Parent must be notified before an abortion	Parent must consent to an abortion	Parent must consent and be notified before an abortion	Public funding is available in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest	State pays for all or most medically necessary abortions	Medical professionals may refuse	Medical institutions may refuse
Alabama	Yes	24 hours			One		Only life, rape or incest.
Alaska	Yes			Yes				Yes	Yes	Private institutions
Arizona		24 hours	Yes		One			Yes	Yes	All institutions
Arkansas	Yes	Prior day			One		Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
California								Yes	Yes	Religious institutions
Colorado				One			Only life, rape or incest		Yes	All institutions
Connecticut								Yes	Yes	All institutions
Delaware				One			Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
District of Columbia									Yes	All institutions
Florida				One			Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
Georgia	Yes	24 hours		One			Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
Hawaii								Yes	Yes	All institutions
Idaho	Yes	24 hours			One		Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
Illinois								Yes	Yes	Private institutions
Indiana	Yes	18 hours	Yes		One		Also for physical health threat.		Yes	Private institutions
Iowa				One			Also fetal abnormality.		Yes	Private institutions
Kansas	Yes	24 hours			Both		Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
Kentucky	Yes	24 hours			One		Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
Louisiana	Yes	24 hours	Yes		One		Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
Maine							Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
Maryland				One				Yes	Yes	All institutions
Massachusetts					One			Yes	Yes	All institutions
Michigan	Yes	24 hours			One		Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
Minnesota	Yes	24 hours		Both				Yes	Yes	Private institutions
Mississippi	Yes	24 hours	Yes		Both		Also fetal abnormality.		Yes	All institutions
Missouri	Yes	24 hours	Yes		One		Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
Montana								Yes	Yes	Private institutions
Nebraska	Yes	24 hours			One		Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
Nevada							Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	Private institutions
New Hampshire				One			Only life, rape or incest.
New Jersey								Yes	Yes	Private institutions
New Mexico								Yes	Yes	All institutions
New York								Yes	Yes	All institutions
North Carolina	Yes	24 hours			One		Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
North Dakota	Yes	24 hours			Both		Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
Ohio	Yes	24 hours	Yes		One		Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
Oklahoma	Yes	24 hours				Yes	Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
Oregon								Yes	Yes	Private institutions
Pennsylvania	Yes	24 hours			One		Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	Private institutions
Rhode Island					One		Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
South Carolina	Yes	24 hours			One		Yes		Yes	Private institutions
South Dakota	Yes	24 hours		One			Only life endangerment, in violation of federal standard.		Yes	All institutions
Tennessee					One		Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	All institutions
Texas	Yes	24 hours	Yes			Yes	Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	Private institutions
Utah	Yes	24 hours	Yes			Yes	Also for physical health threat.		Yes	Private institutions
Vermont								Yes
Virginia	Yes	24 hours			One		Yes		Yes	All institutions
Washington								Yes	Yes	All institutions
West Virginia	Yes	24 hours		One				Yes
Wisconsin	Yes	24 hours	Yes		One		Also for physical health threat.		Yes	All institutions
Wyoming						Yes	Only life, rape or incest.		Yes	Private institutions
Sources: <i>State Policies in Brief:</i> Parental Involvement in Minors' Abortions, <i>State Policies in Brief:</i> State Funding of Abortion Under Medicaid , <i>State Policies in Brief:</i> Refusing to Provide Health Services , <i>State Policies in Brief:</i>Mandatory Counseling and Waiting Periods for Abortion

http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/spib_OAL.pdf

http://www.abort73.com/abortion_facts/us_abortion_law/

http://search.yahoo.com/tablet/s?ei=UTF-8&p=1100+abortion+probisions&fr=ipad

http://www.guttmacher.org/media/inthenews/2012/01/05/endofyear.html

---

^[1] http://www.guttmacher.org/media/inthenews/2012/01/05/endofyear.html

Blog Source Article: Abortion Laws at Risk, State by State Chart
Published: 03/14/2012 10:35 PM

For hundreds of years women have been midwives. For hundreds of years women have been persecuted and punished because they were midwives. In Europe, they were burned, butchered and beheaded. That tradition continued in the United States and is still with us today in the war on women’s rights in the areas women’s health care, including reproductive issues of  abortion rights and birth control. This, of course, is of great concern to pro choice supporters, who support women’s rights to safe, legal abortion and  birth control.

According to a very informative article titled “Midwives and Witches-what is the historical connection?” by Cathy Hartt RN CNM, MS, (located at http://www.pearllakedhist.com/witchmidwife.html on 3-12-2012) there has always been a connection between midwives and witchcraft. Women who were midwives have basically been accused of witchcraft because when they delivered babies, since they carried on the generations and continuation of the human race, which male dominated society and the church resented and sought to control through accusations of witchcraft.

In 1692 a number of women were  hanged at Salem, Massachusetts, for witchcraft, but they were not the first witchcraft hangings. In 1648, Margaret Jones, a midwife and healer, was hanged at Charleston, Ma. The populace there believed she was evil and caused “deafness and nausea”, according to the article quoted above. Jones was dragged out and hanged.

Midwives not only delivered children. They also knew the secrets of herbs and teas for birth control and abortion, knowledge that could put women in control of their lives.

WHAT SIMILARITIES DO WE SEE BETWEEN THIS ACTION OVER 320 YEARS AGO AND THE ACTIONS OF RIGHT TO LIFERS AND CONSERATIVE POLITIIANS TODAY? Their deeply rooted fear of women controlling their own lives in the areas of women’s abortion rights and women’s health care and birth control drives them to the present day war on women’s rights, including anti woman speech and violent actions at women’s clinics.

Rick Perry, former presidential candidate, had an ad in Iowa before the caucuses, where he basically said, “I am a Christian and proud of it…..blah, blah, blah”. Last year he and the Texas legislature voted to cut funding for Planned Parenthood because their clinics do abortions. This move could cut free exams and birth control for women who aren’t eligible for Medicaid’s program for the poor. (from U.S. News-Feds stop funding Texas women’s health program over abortion, http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/10/10630430-feds-stop-...) Surely, it is appropriate  to question Perry’s christian beliefs in cutting benefits that help the poor.

On a lighter note, a most tongue in cheek article says Arkansas has enacted a law that requires women considering an abortion to name the baby and paint the nursery before their abortion. This apparently would make them reconsider having an abortion, although it did not address the issue of how paint fumes  or reaching to paint a ceiling or wall could affect the comfort of the woman or the fetus. (from New law requires women to name baby, paint nursery before getting an…http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2010/01/18/new-law-requires…)

Blog Source Article: War on Women in the US continues after 320 years
Published: 03/12/2012 01:58 PM

Dear Volunteers and Supporters,

We are currently fighting a war on women's rights. It is hard for me to believe that in 2012 issues of birth control and abortion are still being debated. If we are to simply maintain the rights that currently exist we will need to fight for them.  

A few months ago a website was launched called abortionwiki.org. The sole purpose of the site is to catalog personal information about clinic workers and doctors so that anti-choice zealots know who to harass and where to find them.

Voice of Choice is responding.

Our friends have purchased abortionwiki.com and a few other close domains. We are now in the process of setting up web pages that will have names, phone numbers, photos, and personal bios of the people who are responsible for abortiondocs.org, abortionwiki.org and other aggressive protesters. We will also profile legislators at all levels that are waging war on women's rights. Our new domain will be pointed to our new Voice of Choice pages.

The initial information will be complied by people building the site. The most exciting feature will be a place for you and the rest of the pro-choice community to upload information, videos, and photos of members of the bullying anti-choice ranks. 

Our new database will be available to Voice of Choice volunteers, media, and law enforcement. We are hoping to be a repository of video and eyewitness evidence that can be used to prosecute anyone violating the FACE Act or any local law designed to prevent harassment and intimidation.

It will provide a place for us to share information about the activities of the people that are most likely to become violent.  Its mere existence will make anyone protesting more personally accountable for his/her actions and less able to hide in a group. 

It stands to reason that this content will be highly scrutinized by people who find the existence of Voice of Choice annoying. They will take the first opportunity to sue for libel. So if we are to start and maintain a public database of those having aggressively tried to limit women’s rights, we will need at least a part time staff member to vet and filter new information before it is posted. 

For the very first time I am asking for your additional financial support. We need about $50,000 to build the site and hire a part timer to research information received from the public.

Our work to date has been nearly 100% accomplished by volunteers and we will continue to do everything we can with our limited resources.  However, this new project will require cash.

Please donate whatever you can to help build and launch our database.

Thanks again for your support.

Direct financial assistance can be given here:  http://vochoice.org/?Donate

_______________________________________________

Blog Source Article: Our New Database !
Published: 03/09/2012 11:20 AM

Dear Volunteers Supporters,

We are about to embark on an exciting and ambiguous project. I will provide the details the next few days.

For this project I am looking for volunteers that are willing to help Voice of Choice in the fields of:

Search engine optimization (SEO)

Videography 

Video production and editing

Copy Writing

Non-profit Marketing

If you or someone you know has experience in these fields and is willing to donate some time and expertise over the next few weeks please email me at members@vochoice.org.

Thank you for your support

Todd Stave, Director 

______________________________________________

Blog Source Article: Call for Volunteers
Published: 03/09/2012 11:11 AM We have received feedback that the email addresses you have for Troy Newman are not working. You can add newman.troy@gmail.com to the list of his emails.

Also, we need help doing research. If you can dedicate 2 to 5 hours over the next week to help collect some names and phone numbers please email members@vochoice.org  and let us know. We need 4 to 7 people willing to spend some time on their computers and phones.

Thank you

________________________________________________________

Blog Source Article: Updated Email for Troy Newman and New Call for Volunteers
Published: 01/11/2012 09:48 AM

Voice of Choice provides a calm measured response to anti-abortion bulling and harassment. Its actions have made the lives of people who bully and harass pro-choicers far more difficult, and for that reason they are training their forces on me and hoping to discredit me and Voice of Choice.

I was recently made aware of a website that is dedicated to me. It is full of defamatory and inaccurate information.

The person responsible for the website went to great lengths to hide his identity. It was registered anonymously using a paid service designed to shield people like this. With some legal arm-twisting I was able to find out that Troy Newman, the director of Operation Rescue is responsible for the site.

Troy Newman has a long history of inappropriate protesting. He has been arrested for protesting outside of a Catholic church in DC while Supreme Court Justices were attending mass and for littering outside an abortion clinic in Wichita.  Operation Rescue organizes protests at places like Notre Dame and other Catholic based institutions because they show signs of tolerance and compassion.  It is very active in organizing protests designed purely to intimate and harass people in indirect support roles of the abortion industry such as vendors and landlords.

Mr. Newman and his supporters are very good at promoting pro-choicers as aggressive and violent.  He and his supporters harass pro-choicers and then film the frustrated reactions.  They then edit the audio and video and anonymously post them on YouTube and blogs in order to garner support by making pro-choicers seem like aggressors.

We need to let Mr. Newman know we are here in numbers and ready to stand up to Operation Rescue.

Please call and email Mr. Newman – his contact information is below.

Please let him know that you think he is a coward and bully. Let him know that he will be held accountable for his (and Operation Rescue’s) actions, YouTube posts, blog posts, and defamatory websites.

When you call him, please be CALM and DO NOT ARGUE with him. Feel free to send just one email each and leave just one message, but if you do not speak with him directly please keep trying.

SO that we all get a chance to participate I am asking those of you with last names starting with A-H start today. IF your last name starts with I-R please make your calls starting on January 16 and the rest of you please start your calling on January 23.

I will send reminder emails on the 16^rd and 23^th.

Here is Troy Newman’s contact information:

Cell                                             316-841-1700

Central Women’s Center   316-668-0107

Operation Rescue               316-683-6790

Email     Troy@operationrescue.org

pixiedust@aol.com

___________________________________________________________________

Blog Source Article: Let's Stand Up to Operation Rescue
Published: 01/09/2012 10:15 PM

Dear supporters and volunteers,

John Dunkle might be one person whose habits we cannot change. He seems to relish the attention Voice of Choice is lavishing upon him.

I have been told, however, that his wife Margaret would like him to find a new pastime.  I think we should all give her our sympathy and ask if we can help her to encourage John to find more productive ways to spend his time.

Please call Margaret at home at 610-796-0627.

Sympathize with her in that it must be difficult to be so close to someone involved in such a violent movement.

Encourage her and wish her the best of luck in convincing him to stop harassing women and clinic workers.

And...

Tell her she will be in your thoughts/prayers and that you hope she has the support system needed to cope with his activities.

Please note that if anyone wanted to visit or write the Dunkles, they live at 214 Meadow Glen Lane Reading, PA 19607 (Note the corrected address).

Also, we could use more volunteers to help us in Germantown, MD on Monday from 8:00AM to 10:00AM. Please respond to this email if you think you will be able to make it. 

__________________________________________________________

Blog Source Article: Contacting John Dunkle and his wife, Margaret
Published: 12/04/2011 09:29 PM

Dear supporters and volunteers,

Our friends in Maryland need some support. On Monday, Jack Ames and his group Defend Life are planning a protest in Germantown.

Jack Ames has a history with Voice of Choice. In fact, we can credit him for rallying the outrage of our community when he staged an anti-abortion protest in front of a middle school. He has not stopped the inappropriate protests. He was also the organizer of the protest at the race for the cure in Baltimore.

We need volunteers for a Jack Ames and Defend Life protest on Monday from 8:00 to 10:00am in Germantown, MD.   

If you are able and willing to help in Germantown on Monday morning please email members@vochoice.org.  I will fill you in on the details. We will provide all of the need material for the protest. 

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Blog Source Article: Call for Volunteers in Germantown, MD
Published: 12/01/2011 09:24 AM

Dear supporters and volunteers,

I am writing with unfortunate news. Our respectful requests to John Dunkle to stop his aggressive behavior have not achieved our goal. He continues to protest in front of the homes of the Allentown Women's Center executive director and doctor. He has not gotten the message that his behavior is not acceptable.

So, as promised we must start Phase II of the Allentown Project.

It will take a few weeks to organize phase II and the delay is compounded by the fact we are asking for people's time during the holiday season.

So, until we are ready to begin phase II I am asking that each of continue to call and email Mr. Dunkle.

I am asking that each of you email and call to John. Please do not leave any voice messages and when you do speak with them be polite and kind in your message. Do not argue and respect his opinions.

Let him know:

1)     Protesting in front of people's home is not acceptable

2)     We respect your opinions, but condemn your behavior

3)     If you choose to continue the home and personal protests you can expect protests in front of your home.

4)     We will continue to call to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy MLK day, Happy Valentine's Day, Happy Ground Hog's day ... etc.

John Dunkle's phone number is 484-706-4375. His email is johndunk@ptd.net and his home address is 204 S 4th Street, Reading, PA  19602.

He has told callers in the past that he is calling the police and scoffed at our ability and determination. Be assured that what we are doing is not illegal and that his petulant behavior is evidence that he is getting the message.

Also, please email Members@vochoice.org if you are in the Allentown, PA or Philadelphia, PA areas and are willing to help in Phase II in Allentown. Let me know how much time you can commit and what your schedule allows.

If you are not in central PA and are still willing to help, I will need to find a few people to vet volunteers and coordinate schedules. Please let me if you are willing to help in the administration aspects of Phase II. 

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Blog Source Article: Allentown Still Needs Help - Intro to Phase II
Published: 11/29/2011 05:40 PM

Dear supporters and volunteers,

It is my pleasure to report that the Allentown project is going very well. I am getting emails from volunteers who believe John and Joyce are getting the message. Please be assured that if we cannot convince them that what they are doing is not acceptable we have Phase II planned.

Here are a few things that I am hearing:

• John's and Joyce's voicemail mailboxes are full. Again, please do not leave messages. If they do not answer, try again at another time. A sustained approach over time is an advantage to us.
• John and Joyce are telling some callers that they are calling the police. Calling people to talk with them - in a non-threatening manner -- about things they are doing is not a crime, even if it is not invited.
• They are scoffing at the idea that we will follow thru on plans to counter protest. So far, you have shown a huge willingness to help victims in need. I have no doubt that if we need to proceed to Phase II we will get all the support needed to deliver our message.

For those of you who want to be sure you are working with someone in need of our help, the following links have been provided by Jen Boulanger.

Dunkle protesting outside the clinic:

http://www.youtube.com/user/BullyWatch009#p/u/3/cwJgO6UGuB4

John Dunkle outside the doctor's house:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIizCkJ-We4

Joyce Mazalewski can be seen starting at about 1:03 on this video (the baby road kill comments):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91RRAQtc16g

Please remember to stay on message. Do not argue with them. Do not debate the issue of abortion with them. Be kind and polite in your tone, regardless of how agitated they may seem. Do not use foul language. Do not be threatening in any way, even if they attempt to bait you.

You have not all had a turn to speak with them, so please keep trying until you get through.

Thank you all again. Please keep spreading the word. 

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Blog Source Article: Follow up to Allentown Women's Center Project
Published: 11/20/2011 03:19 PM

Hello again volunteers and supporters,

Voice of Choice has been asked to help a doctor and clinic worker in central PA. 

Jen Boulanger runs the Allentown Women's Center in Allentown, PA. She and the Center's doctor are the targets of ongoing, terrifying harassment by self-proclaimed members of the "Army of God."

John Dunkle openly advocates violence towards abortion doctors. He admits he is too cowardly to commit violence himself, but tries to recruit people who are willing to be violent.  At least once a month he protests in front of Jen Boulanger's house, as well as the house of the Center's doctor.

Joyce Mazalewski has followed patients to their jobs, harassed them at work, and "outed" patients she recognizes from her neighborhood.  She humiliates them and shames them publicly.

Watch this 2009 story, which includes an interview with Jen, from The Rachel Maddow Show - Rachel describes the harassment as "bone chilling," which indeed it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsVKjFztQGo

Just like with our previous peaceful campaigns, I am asking each of you send one email and make one phone call each to John and Joyce. Please do not leave any voice messages, and when you do speak with them, be polite and calm. Do not engage in arguments.  Our goal is to diffuse aggressive behavior, not enflame it.  

Let them know:

1)    Protesting in front of people's homes is not acceptable

2)    Harassing people at their places of work is not acceptable

3)    We respect your opinions, but condemn your behavior

4)    If you choose to continue to protest people at their homes and workplaces, you can expect protests at your homes and workplaces.

John Dunkle's phone number is 484-706-4375. His email is johndunk@ptd.net and his home address is 204 S 4th Street, Reading, PA  19602.

Joyce Mazalewski's phone number is 610-366-1392. Her email is miraclemom1956@aol.com, and she lives at 3830 McIntosh Drive in Orefield, PA 18069.

And please keep in mind that many of these people record our phone calls without our knowledge and consent. Depending on which state they are in, it is not illegal.

Also, if anyone has video of heated anti-choice protesters from anywhere in the nation, please email them to me or send me a link.  We need documentation of these types of outrageous behaviors to demonstrate what is actually occurring.

If anyone has photos of aggressive protesters, we are starting a photo gallery on the Voice of Choice Facebook page -- https://www.facebook.com/vochoice.  Please upload any photos and, if you can, include their names, dates, and locale information. The photo gallery will help law enforcement nationwide track people who do not understand where to draw the line.

If you wish to remain anonymous and would like a free virtual phone number, just reply to this email and ask me for more information.

And finally, if you or someone you know is a victim of anti-choice harassment or bullying please let us know at www.vochoice.org/victims. We want to help.

Thank you for your continued hard work.

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Blog Source Article: Call for Volunteers for Allentown Women's Center - Phone Calls and Emails
Published: 11/19/2011 01:30 PM Voice of Choice and those who oppose the radical anti-choice movement are happy to hear that "Shock Jock" Howard Stern is on our side.   He interviewed Todd Stave for his show on satellite radio, and it can be heard here:  http://www.vochoice.org/media.php 

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Blog Source Article: Howard Stern Interviews Todd Stave
Published: 11/19/2011 11:40 AM

To Our Supporters, Volunteers and Friends,

  

When we launched Voice of Choice, I certainly didn't expect to be lauded by anti-choice groups for our efforts to thwart their bullying tactics. I do find their spin interesting, however, and, the way I see it, it is good news that we are getting negative attention from the anti-choice groups. Every mention they make of our efforts, whether fact or fiction, helps focus a spotlight on their behavior.

  

Anti-choice bullies write in their newsletters that they are happy to receive calls from our volunteers objecting to their tactics, because we give them the opportunity to spread their opinions on abortion call by call. Let me be clear: we do not call to debate the issue of abortion. We call to tell them their behavior is disgraceful and to demonstrate the distressing effect of hundreds of incoming calls and emails on one individual.

  

I received criticism for using the term "Christian like" in our communications, for which I apologize. When I went to explain that the term was used to describe a polite demeanor, the religious zealots had a field day. Voice of Choice is not a religious group. But we will stand up for those who are being bullied in the name of religion.

Despite our targets' objections and red herrings, I am pleased to report that our efforts to curtail anti-choice harassment are succeeding.

• In October, we launched a counter-harassment campaign in Denver in support of a pro-choice provider who was the victim of relentless bullying. Today, as a result of thousands Voice of Choice volunteers, the active protesters in Denver number HALF their ranks; those that continue their misguided efforts are much tamer in their tactics. Our campaign is not over yet. 
• Also in October, Voice of Choice volunteers effectively averted what would have been a horribly distasteful and inappropriate protest planned by anti-choice bullies at a Baltimore fundraising event for breast cancer. More than 500 Voice of Choice volunteers called and emailed the organizer of the protest, and local Voice of Choice volunteers showed up at the appointed site to reproach any protesters who dared show up (thanks to our efforts, none did).

We are gearing up to do even more. Next on our agenda is to build a reference gallery of anti-choice protesters so they can no longer hide behind the veil of anonymity and group-think. Post photos of protesters and anti-choice bullies on our facebook page www.facebook.com/vochoice and tag them with any identifying facts such as name, date and location. It's time these people are held accountable for their misguided actions.

Please continue to spread news of our work via facebook and email. Invite your friends to join us www.vochoice.org/volunteer and support our efforts www.vochoice.org/donate so we can do more.

Sincerely,

Todd Stave, Director

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Blog Source Article: Our Efforts are Succeeding
Published: 11/01/2011 01:42 PM Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is in Baltimore this Sunday and Jack Ames is planning a protest with Defend Life.

Defend Life plans on demonstrating at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Baltimore on Sunday.

Anyone in the Baltimore area willing to let these people know how inappropriate this sort of protest is should show up to meet them.  

Everyone else should call Jack Ames to let him know that what he is organizing is inappropriate and misguided.

Here is a copy of their invitation they sent to members of Defend Life. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join me this Sunday, October 23 as we attempt to EXPOSE the Susan B. Komen RACE FOR THE CURE which annually gives MILLIONS of $$$ to PLANNED PARENTHOOD, the flagship of the ABORTION INDUSTRY!!!

We will hold signs similar to the one you see here along the HuntValley, Maryland race course.  Meet me at the LIGHT RAIL station on the North Side of Shawan Road in front of Hunt Valley Town Centre no later than 7:30 AM to get your sign and to find out the nearby location along the race route where we will want you to stand.  This entire event will last 2 hours at most so please DO NOT COME LATE!

This location is easily accessible from I-83 as well as by Light Rail.  There is plenty of FREE PARKING as well.

Long Live Christ Our King!

Jack Ames

          Director, DEFEND LIFE

                             410-337-3721 (H)

                                        410-961-2008 (C)

P.S. So we know exactly how many signs to make, please contact me no later than 3 PM on Saturday by email or better yet  by PHONE.

P.P.S.  Please wear your PRO-LIFE T-shirts! 

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Blog Source Article: Defend Life plans on demonstrating at Breast Cancer Walk
Published: 10/21/2011 10:56 PM

Feedback and Follow Up in Denver

Voice of Choice  getting a lot of attention in Denver. The Denver Project's goal is to let the anti-abortionists know that we are here to stand up to their abuse. We are doing a nice job of it.  People on the list seem more dedicated than most. We have a phase II planed for the Denver project if we need it. I have included some links about the people on the list for those of you who are interested to see what kind of people we are dealing with. I have chosen NOT to include recordings of the vial and threatening phone calls I have received. 

The feedback I am getting from those of you that have made calls is consistent. Regardless of how they choose to spin the Denver Project on their blogs and websites the independent feedback is that they are not happy about being called. 

Some of you have reported on the conversations. You will not change their minds on the topic of abortion, and you should not try. Respect their position, but condemn their behavior. 

Overall, the Denver Project is going well. I welcome information on other individuals or groups that are harassing and bullying. I am very happy to launch more projects.

 

Getting so much information about the people we have targeted in the Denver Project is not easy or free. In this case, the private investigative work was paid for by someone other than Voice of Choice. But, our abilities moving forward will be limited to our resources. Please continue to support Voice of Choice. We need your talents, willingness to work, and donations to keep it alive.

 

If anyone has media contacts that might be interested in our mission and work to date, please pass their contact information to me.

The Denver Project is not over. If you have not called everyone on the list, please keep trying.  It has come to our attention that these phone conversations might be recorded without our permission and played back on the radio.  Please keep this in mind when placing your calls.

Thank you all.

Links about people we are targeting

Ken Scott

• Convicted of being a deadbeat dad and served jail time.  Article here:  http://www.westword.com/1996-01-03/news/suffer-the-children/
• Convicted of harassing and stalking his second wife (and being $60,000 in arrears in child support).  Article here: http://www.westword.com/1997-04-03/news/slapp-shot/http://www.westword.com/1997-04-03/news/slapp-shot/

Jo Scott

• Been recently charged and convicted of a FACE violation in Denver:  http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2011/06/jo_scott_abortion_protester_federal_charges.php
• She was also convicted of conspiracy to bomb a clinic in California a while back.  Article here: http://articles.latimes.com/1988-12-20/local/me-438_1_abortion-clinic

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Blog Source Article: Update on The Denver Project
Published: 10/20/2011 06:53 PM

Victims in Denver Need Our Help

As you know, when my family and I became the target of a harassment campaign launched by anti-choice protesters, I decided to fight back. The peaceful counter-campaign that many of you helped with was a success by any measure, most dramatically by the fact that the harassment has completely stopped. In fact, the "Contact Todd Stave Campaign" (as they called it) has been suspended altogether.

                  

Now, it's time to help another victim of blatant anti-choice bullying. Please join Voice of Choice in launching a counter-campaign in support of The Denver Project.

It is time we give the harassers a better understanding of what being a victim feels like. Attached is a list of people we need to call. Their behavior toward the clinics, doctors, and patients is best described as threatening and bullying. Victim reports are available upon request.

It is time to fight back!

Please call each person on the list just once. When you call be polite and sincere in your tone and demeanor. DO NOT ARGUE WITH THEM.

  

Do not leave a voice message. If they do not answer call back at a later time.

In your own words let them know when you call that:

_____

1)  We know who they are and we know that they are bullies trying to intimidate abortion providers and patients.

2) We are ALL protected by the first amendment and that continued harassment will be met with a like response in the future. Our group is now 3000 strong and we know who they are and where they live.

3) If everyone acted like them when they had a strong opinion about something we would live in a very unpleasant society. It is not their beliefs we object to. Their behavior will not be tolerated.

____

  
If you would like a copy of the email with the names and phone numbers, please email todd@vochoice.org

If anyone needs information about how get a free virtual phone number that you can use to make these calls please let me know. The free virtual phone numbers also come with free long distance and free voice mail with voice mail messages that can be emailed. They are handy if you need to send voice mail messages to someone else.

Victims in Denver need our help. Lets put an end to the harassment and bullying and stand up for women's rights.

Thank you,

Todd Stave, Director

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Blog Source Article: The Denver Project
Published: 10/18/2011 06:28 PM

To Our Supporters, Volunteers and Friends,

I am at once humbled and motivated by the overwhelming response we have received to the creation of Voice of Choice. Politely retaliating against individuals who so boldly attacked my family, my community and me with nasty, misinformed harassment was one thing -- a very good thing, in fact. Discovering a new voice for pro-choice advocates has been something else altogether.

Thank you for your show of support.

Since the launch of www.vochoice.org just a few short weeks ago, we have attracted a veritable army of volunteers ready and willing to help in our newly proven strategy of person-to-person counter-campaigning against anti-choice bullying. I am grateful for the donations that have come in to Voice of Choice, as they will enable us to explore new counter-attack strategies, retain legal counsel and much more.

Many victims of misguided anti-choice harassment have also contacted us, and we will be rallying soon to launch specific counter-campaigns on their behalf. If you volunteered to help make phone calls or send emails, we will be in touch with instructions on how you can help us fight back against specific, insidious and all too often erroneous anti-choice persecution. 

We have had numerous offers of all kinds of professional assistance and have already organized a remarkable, core team of talented, proven professionals. However, we are in need of specific expertise in the areas of Public/Media Relations and Grant Writing. If you or someone you know would be interested in helping Voice of Choice with these communications efforts, please contact me at 202-241-6277 or email Todd@vochoice.org

We will be in touch with you soon. Meanwhile, please be sure to "like" Voice of Choice on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/vochoice and follow us on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/vochoice.

Sincerely,

Todd Stave, Director

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Blog Source Article: Thank you from the Director
Published: 10/05/2011 09:55 AM For anyone that wants the links to the media coverage in the past few weeks, here you are:

NPR September 15, 2011

http://wamu.org/audio-player?nid=19427

Washington Post September 13, 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/anti-abortion-protesters-target-clinics-landlord-outside-childs-md-school/2011/09/12/gIQAn8z2NK_story.html

Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC)  September 23, 2011

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#44648897

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#44648901

Blog Source Article: Media Links
Published: 09/27/2011 11:54 AM