By Jackson Bassford

News Editor

On November 27, a mass shooting took place in Colorado Springs, Colorado at a local Planned Parenthood clinic. The suspect, Robert Lewis Dear Jr., was arrested on the scene after killing a police officer, two civilians, and also injuring five more police officers and four more civilians in the process.

Dear is a strong anti-abortion advocate and even testified in court as guilty and “a warrior for the babies.” He was identified by his ex-wife as a Christian and a very strong evangelist. After the attacks ,Twitter erupted with extreme criticism of the anti-abortion movement, generalizing most of its supporters as just as crazy and violent as Dear.

Twitter users slammed the anti-abortion movement and what they stand for.

Tweets such as:

“Oops I forgot to tweet earlier about how shocked I am that the Planned Parenthood shooter was avidly #prolife & “a warrior for the babies.””
“”Pro-life” against abortion because it’s killing humans.
*shoots up a planned parenthood building killing 3 people*
Makes sense.”

Although many people ignored the fact that many prominent anti-abortion groups were quick condemn the terror attacks, including the National Right to Life, the Family Research Council, and Concerned Women for America.

“The National Right to Life, which represents 50 state affiliates and more than 3,000 local chapters, unequivocally condemns unlawful activities and acts of violence regardless of motivation.  The anti-abortion movement works to protect the right to life and increase respect for human life.  The unlawful use of violence is directly contrary to that goal,” Carol Tobias ,the president of the NRTL, said.

What this man did was terrible and inhumane, no one is denying that. And yes, it is ironic that he protested what he believes is killing children by killing three  people, but people shouldn’t be saying that he is what represents the pro-life movement as a whole. He is a sick, delusional human being, and most people involved in the anti-abortion movement would agree with that.
We are told after an Islamic extremist attacks or destroys a place or group of people to not generalize all Muslims for the actions of a few, and rightfully so. Most Muslims do not condone terrorism and actively speak out against groups like ISIS and Al Queda. Islam is a very peaceful and religion. But, so are many anti-abortion advocates. Why is their movement not getting the same outcry of support? Terrorism is awful, no matter if it’s coming from Muslims or Christians. Both Islam and Christianity do not condone attacking people who hold different beliefs other than their own and anyone who terrorizes others is not an accurate representation of what those religions and movements stand for.