Digital Media Center
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Gate 61
920 Paul Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0370
(800) 654-4262

© 2024 Alabama Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Fire At Washington State Planned Parenthood Clinic Deemed Arson

Investigators in Pullman, Washington, have determined that a fire at a Planned Parenthood clinic in the city was intentionally set.

The three-year-old clinic, the scene of a major anti-abortion demonstration last month, is considered structurally unsafe following the blaze that occurred around 3:30 a.m. Friday.

No one was hurt.

The Spokesman-Review reports:

"FBI Special Agent Frank Harrill said federal agencies were involved because of the history of domestic terrorists targeting providers offering abortion services.

"In 1996, a Planned Parenthood clinic in Spokane Valley was bombed. Four men were convicted in the blast."

The clinic's website says it provides abortion referrals, but not abortions.

The Pullman clinic was one of dozens targeted by anti-abortion protesters following the release by activists of a series of sting videos showing Planned Parenthood executives acknowledging that the organization receives money from the sale of fetal tissue.

"This is an appalling act of violence towards Planned Parenthood, but unfortunately a predictable ripple effect from the false and incendiary attacks that fuel violence from extremists," Karl Eastlund, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho, said in a statement.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Scott Neuman is a reporter and editor, working mainly on breaking news for NPR's digital and radio platforms.
News from Alabama Public Radio is a public service in association with the University of Alabama. We depend on your help to keep our programming on the air and online. Please consider supporting the news you rely on with a donation today. Every contribution, no matter the size, propels our vital coverage. Thank you.