A pregnancy resource center in northern Virginia appeared to be the target of abortion rights supporters, with the facility being vandalized over the weekend.
First Care Women’s Health in Manassas was defaced with spray paint, with messages reading "Abortion is a right," "fake clinic," and "liars."
"Unfortunately, a [Pregnancy] Resource Center in Northern Virginia was vandalized last night," the Rev. Dean Nelson tweeted. "This charity lovingly provides support & practical supplies to women no matter what they decide. And yet, they’re targeted with hate, intimidation and destruction. Sad!"
Unfortunately, a Pregnacy Resource Center in Northern Virginia was vandalized last night.
— Rev. Dean Nelson (@RevDeanNelson) May 9, 2022
This charity lovingly provides support & practical supplies to women no matter what they decide. And yet, they’re targeted with hate, intimidation and destruction. Sad! pic.twitter.com/E1U2Jro1YC
The CEO of First Care Women’s Health, Becky Sheetz, told the Washington Examiner, “We’re not really surprised because you see what’s happening nationwide. And then we knew when this leak got out that things were going to become chaotic.”
GOV. GRETCHEN WHITMER: 'AMERICANS WILL SUFFER AND MAY DIE' WITHOUT ABORTION
According to her, the vandalism was discovered Monday morning just after a meeting in which they discussed having "heightened awareness" in the wake of the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion indicating a reversal of Roe v. Wade.
She said they expected some fallout after the leak, "but, you know, we're in Manassas, Virginia, and it's like, why Manassas?" Sheetz said she was aware of recent vandalism of anti-abortion facilities elsewhere but wasn't necessarily expecting it to occur so close to home.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki initially defended protesters traveling to the homes of Supreme Court justices, saying, "The president’s view is that there’s a lot of passion, a lot of fear, a lot of sadness from many, many people across this country about what they saw in that leaked document.”
On Monday, she released a more strongly worded condemnation of violence, tweeting, "[President Joe Biden] strongly believes in the Constitutional right to protest. But that should never include violence, threats, or vandalism. Judges perform an incredibly important function in our society, and they must be able to do their jobs without concern for their personal safety."
.@POTUS strongly believes in the Constitutional right to protest. But that should never include violence, threats, or vandalism. Judges perform an incredibly important function in our society, and they must be able to do their jobs without concern for their personal safety.
— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) May 9, 2022
Asked about the White House's initial response to pro-abortion rights campaigns against justices, churches, and anti-abortion organizations, Sheetz said it was unfortunately predictable but that her organization doesn't seek comfort from the federal government. Instead, it has sought comfort from its community, which has been incredibly helpful. Police, she said, were quick to respond and have been on top of the case.
Neighbors have even offered to power-wash the graffiti-clad windows.
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, said, “It is never acceptable to resort to intimidation, vandalism, or destruction in our political discourse. This is what makes America so unique — we should embrace diversity of opinion and civil dialogue and debate," in a statement after learning of the incident.
Sheetz expressed gratitude for Miyares's words and attention to the situation.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
On Sunday, the anti-abortion organization Wisconsin Family Action was the target of arson. According to police, investigators found remnants of one Molotov cocktail that did not ignite. The words "If abortions aren't safe then you aren't either" were spray-painted on the building, and one window had been broken.