Abortions at One Pensacola Clinic Resume

Security escorts wore donated bulletproof vests. A dozen anti-abortion protesters kept a vigil. And an out-of-town doctor was whisked through the front door after a diversion was created out back.

Abortions resumed Friday at the Pensacola Women’s Medical Services clinic for the first time since an abortion doctor and his bodyguard were shot to death a week ago outside the city’s only other abortion clinic.

Clinic administrator Sandy Sheldon said 34 abortions were performed of the 53 scheduled--the normal no-show rate. The clinic normally performs abortions two to three days a week.

“Things were very upbeat inside. The thing that we’re laughing at the most are the protesters,” Sheldon said.

Dr. John B. Britton, 69, and 74-year-old James H. Barrett were killed July 29 at The Ladies Center. Barrett’s 68-year-old wife, June, who also helped escort abortion staff members and patients past demonstrators, was wounded.

Paul Hill, a former minister who advocates killing abortion providers, has been charged with murder and attempted murder.

It was the second slaying of an abortion doctor in Pensacola in 17 months: Dr. David Gunn was shot to death in 1993 outside the Pensacola Women’s Medical Services clinic.

The Ladies Center clinic has indefinitely suspended abortions but is offering counseling and other services. The center’s administrator, Linda Taggart, declined to comment Friday on when she expected abortions to resume there.

At the Pensacola Women’s Medical Services clinic, a police officer whisked Dr. Allen Kline of Philadelphia in the front door after several staffers stepped out a rear door in what Sheldon said was an effort to distract the news media.

“Understandably, any of the physicians, they don’t want to have any more of a high profile than absolutely necessary,” she said. “They’re risking their lives coming to the clinics.”

Eight escorts, some wearing bulletproof vests provided by an anonymous donor, shielded patients from the demonstrators and news cameras.

The anti-abortion protesters, wearing suits and dresses, prayed and read Bible passages.

“When the press is here they get all dressed up and they leave their nasty signs at home,” Sheldon said. “They are not shrieking at the patients. They are not yelling ugly things at us.”