PROTEST WATCH : Clinic Defense

This time, fortunately, it was an easy call. A jury in Pensacola, Fla., deliberated less than three hours Saturday before convicting Michael F. Griffin, 32, of first-degree murder for the slaying of Dr. David Gunn.

Gunn was shot three times in the back last year when he arrived for work at a clinic to perform abortions. Police officers testified that Griffin, an anti-abortion activist, confessed to the crime immediately after the shooting. Right after the verdict, a Florida circuit judge sentenced Griffin, a former chemical worker, to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.

Griffin’s act was unconscionable. Yet the intimidation of patients and incidents of violence against clinic physicians and nurses continue; many of these acts stop just short of murder. Indeed, following Griffin’s conviction, the leader of Defensive Action, an anti-abortion group that does advocate violence against doctors who perform the procedure, said that the verdict did not change his position that killing those physicians is acceptable. Strong condemnations from President Clinton and Atty. Gen. Janet Reno, among others, have apparently not persuaded extremists that such violence is in no way protected by the First Amendment’s guarantees of freedom of speech and expression.

The Supreme Court recently upheld use of federal anti-racketeering laws against individuals who conspire to incite violence at abortion clinics. But Congress needs to go further and complete work on a bill giving broad federal protection, ensuring freedom of access to clinic entrances.