Dr. George Tiller, a long-time abortion provider, has been murdered. He was shot to death in the lobby of his church in Wichita around 10AM this morning. Dr. Tiller was one of the few doctors left in the United States who was willing to perform late-term abortions. Despite being the target of severe anti-choice protesting, as well as an attempted murder in 1993, Dr. Tiller remained in Kansas to help the women who desperately needed him.

Unfortunately, an anti-choice terrorist has put an end to it. Police commenced a search to find the terrorist, who fled immediately after the shooting, and they have since taken a person into custody, though they will not reveal the identity.

Anti-choice murdering spiked in the 1990s, but the last successful murder of an abortion supporter was in 1998. Over 10 years passed since a doctor was killed... until the tragic death of Dr. George Tiller. All we can do is honor Dr. Tiller, and hope and pray that this death doesn't lead to another decade of anti-choice terrorism.

Ironic, isn't it? "Pro-life," and yet they possess such a bloody history. My heart goes out to Dr. Tiller's family and friends, and also to the women of Kansas, who are now deprived of an important resource. Attaining an abortion in Kansas was difficult enough, but now I doubt another abortion provider will feel comfortable going near Wichita for quite some time. Ann from Feministing suggested to honor Dr. Tiller by making a donation to Medical Students for Choice, which I think is a wonderful idea. You can even make a donation in memory of someone.

Dr. Tiller, at only 67 years-old, was taken too soon... but we will forever remember him as a martyr for reproductive rights.