Two pro-life activists were allegedly assaulted outside a Planned Parenthood facility in Washington D.C. while offering support to women considering abortion. Terrace Bukovinac and Michael Gribbin, who frequently act as sidewalk counselors, were approached by a woman who threw coffee at Bukovinac and a male companion who assaulted Gribbin when he tried to intervene.
A video of the incident captured the male assailant throwing Gribbin to the ground and repeatedly punching him, while the female assailant slapped Bukovinac. Despite video evidence, the police reportedly refused to press charges against either assailant, according to the Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising (PAAU), which issued a press release on the incident.
Bukovinac, a progressive anti-abortion advocate, emphasized the importance of non-violence in challenging the abortion industry and expressed her commitment to dismantling the “mass genocide” of abortion. PAAU also highlighted that the police have previously refrained from pressing charges against individuals who assaulted peaceful pro-life activists, recalling an incident in August 2019.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of pro-life activists who exercise their First Amendment rights in advocating for their beliefs. Dr. Michael New, a professor at Catholic University of America, underscored the importance of ensuring the safety of volunteers engaged in sidewalk counseling efforts and expressed support for Bukovinac and Gribbin if they decide to file civil charges.