'If abortions aren't safe, neither are you': Chilling warning scrawled on vandalized pregnancy center
A Christian crisis pregnancy center in Longmont was vandalized early morning, June 25, following the controversial Supreme Court decision to reverse Roe v Wade. Life Choices, located at 20 Mountain View Avenue, was set on fire and painted with messages like, “if abortions aren’t safe neither are you.”
The incident, which occurred between 2.45 am and 3.30 am, comes after the US Supreme Court reversed federal protection of abortions on June 24. “Bans off our bodies,” read one of the messages painted onto the entrance walkway of the building along with an anarchy symbol, according to pictures released by police. The center was severely damaged by fire and smoke but no injuries were reported at the scene. Becky Young, a former patient and employee of Life Choices, told KDVR, “They provide clinical help like ultrasounds, pregnancy tests and all that too. If the woman decides to parent, they give her clothing and support.”
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The officials said that the police found the building ablaze and covered with graffiti messages referencing the controversial overturning of Roe v Wade. “At the arrival of police and fire staff, the front of the property had been vandalized with black paint. This fire is being investigated as arson,” they said. Requesting the public for information, they said, “Investigators request that those living between Collyer and Lashley (West and East) and 15th Avenue and 11th Avenue (North and South) check their surveillance video for any activity in the area between 2.45 am and 3.30 am. Area residents and businesses can upload a video to Longmont Police Services at https://LongmontPD.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/225219.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Longmont police at 303-774-3700.
As reported by KDVR, Kathy Roberts, the executive director of Life choices, released a statement post the incident which read, “Life Choices Pregnancy Center was set on fire around 3 a.m. this morning. Due to the ongoing investigation, we are not able to access our building or assess the full extent of the damage. We are devastated and stunned by this frightening act of vandalism. Life Choices has served Longmont and the surrounding communities for over 37 years providing hope, help and support for women and men who walk through our door.”
The statement added, “What we hope the perpetrators of this act understand is that an attack on Life Choices is ultimately not an attack on a political party or act of; it is an attack on those who walk through our doors every day in need of diapers, pregnancy tests, limited ultrasounds, clothing, financial and parenting classes, support, and so much more. It is an attack on a place that is supposed to be safe for women, men, and their families."