Abortion Clinics Warned by U.S. of Renewed Attacks

The federal government is warning abortion clinics nationwide to be alert for potential violence later this month tied to the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 abortion decision and possibly to President Reagan’s second inaugural.

The warning from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was delivered to the National Abortion Federation, which in turn distributed the letter to its members and other groups that support abortion rights.

Abortion groups are taking the warning seriously and the National Organization for Women is planning a vigil at about 20 abortion clinics across the country from Jan. 20 through Jan. 22 to discourage attacks.

“This is by far the most serious warning we have received,” said Barbara Radford, executive director of the abortion federation. “The message to me was that they were taking this very seriously.”

But ATF spokesman Tom Hill downplayed the importance of the warning, saying: “It was just the symbolism of the dates” that prompted the letter.

“Although we have absolutely no intelligence information concerning planned violent anti-abortion activities, we believe the symbolism of this date represents a potential for increased action directed toward abortion clinics and-or pro-choice offices,” the ATF warning said.

The ATF went on to suggest that security personnel for clinics be warned of the symbolic nature of the days and to take proper precautions.

The ATF letter noted three possible reasons for increased anti-abortion activities during that period:.

--Jan. 22 is the 12th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe vs. Wade, which struck down state laws restricting a woman’s right to an abortion in most cases in the first six months of pregnancy.

--That date also marks the death of “Christian martyr St. Anastasious.” Someone using the name “Anastasious II” threatened violence against a pro-choice advocate last year.

--And President Reagan will be inaugurated for a second term on Jan. 20, with public ceremonies on Jan. 21. ATF only mentioned the coincidence of the abortion-related dates and the inaugural, without further explanation.

Reagan is a strong opponent of abortion, but he has also condemned the abortion-clinic bombings as the work of anarchists.

Radford said another reason for concern is that Inauguration Day is a holiday in Washington--and a number of the bombings have occurred around holiday periods.

The ATF warning was delivered to the National Abortion Federation, a clearinghouse and lobbying organization, here on Dec. 28 and then distributed by the group, which claims just under 300 members among abortion clinics and other facilities around the nation.

Federal authorities say there have been 30 instances of bombing, firebombing and arson at abortion clinics since May, 1982, with a recent upsurge in such actions across the nation. So far, no one has been hurt.

NOW’s vigil in at least 11 states is designed to prevent attacks during that symbolic period.

“We believe this will deter violence,” said NOW president Judy Goldsmith in an interview. “Security is uppermost in our minds. We are doing it in cooperation with local law enforcement authorities.”

“We are not yielding to terrorists,” she added. “What we are protecting is not buildings. It is terrorism against women.”

But the abortion federation and some other abortion groups are unhappy with NOW’s plans.

“I cannot understand the thinking behind that kind of action,” said Radford, adding that her group believes “no abortion-related facility should have anyone staying overnight.”

Faye Wattleton, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, in a telephone interview from New York, also discouraged NOW’s actions.

“We believe any activity . . . which in any way heightens the tensions should be discouraged. . . . We would hope action could be taken to reduce the tension and the polarization,” Wattleton said.

But Goldsmith said NOW’s plans will not change.

“NOW is continuing with our plans for 20 clinics,” Goldsmith said. “I think perhaps our perspectives are different. . . . What is not acceptable is to sit back on our hands that weekend and give them (those who attack clinics) a free hand to blow them up.”