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“A nation that believes the contrived freedom to have an abortion is among its most sacred is one in desperate need of revival. The only way our nation will have that revival is through the power of God — the same power found in the ability to love our enemies and to answer hate with forgiveness.”
A pro-abortion domestic terrorist group that calls itself Jane’s Revenge is threatening all pro-life organizations with unfettered violence after it took credit for firebombing yet another pregnancy resource center last weekend, this time in Gresham, Oregon.
The attack is the fourth such firebombing on a pregnancy resource center since a draft decision in the Dobbs case that would overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked on May 2, even as dozens of other pro-life centers and churches have been vandalized.
Jane’s Revenge, which describes itself as “not one group but many,” took credit for the attack and then on June 14 put out a communiqué warning that “anti-choice” groups must shut down or its members will take “increasingly drastic measures” against them. The chilling post read:
“We have demonstrated in the past month how easy and fun it is to attack. We are versatile, we are mercurial, and we answer to no one but ourselves. We promised to take increasingly drastic measures against oppressive infrastructures. Rest assured that we will, and those measures may not come in the form of something so easily cleaned up as fire and graffiti.”
The group went on to say that anyone who believes in the right to abortion is already part of their cause and encouraged them all to unilaterally attack as they see fit.
“Everyone with the urge to paint, to burn, to cut, to jam: now is the time. Go forth and manifest the things you wish to see. Stay safe, and practice your cursive.”
After Attorney General Merrick Garland appeared to ignore the situation for more than a month amid increasing criticism and calls for his resignation, the FBI announced in a statement on Friday morning that it is getting involved:
“The FBI is investigating a series of attacks and threats targeting pregnancy resource centers and faith-based organizations across the country. The FBI takes all threats seriously and we continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners and will remain vigilant to protect our communities.”
Authorities responded to the attack in Oregon last Saturday morning and determined that an incendiary device had been used. Jane’s Revenge later took credit for the fire. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) Portland Field Office is investigating. First Image, a Christian organization which runs the Gresham Pregnancy Resource Center, has already experienced vandalism at its Southeast Portland Pregnancy Resource Center.
The organization said that the fire mostly damaged one room but there is extensive water and smoke damage in other parts of the building.
Luke Cirillo, CEO of First Image, said,
“When our SE Portland Pregnancy Resource Center was vandalized a few weeks back, I said at the time that we had an incredibly resilient team. It remains true. I am deeply encouraged by the way our staff grieves honestly and prays genuinely for the hearts of the people perpetrating these crimes. At the same time, this hurts. Arson is particularly violent and destructive, and it compromises a sense of safety for our team and for the people we serve. On top of that, this will require temporary closure of our center until we can make repairs.”
He added, “The kind of outrage that’s being directed at us is based on a complete misunderstanding and misrepresentation of who we are and how we have served the hundreds of thousands of people that have come to us over the decades. This moment in our culture is volatile, and the spillover into violence is deeply destructive to the fabric of our communities.”
First Image, however, will not respond with anger, Cirillo stated. “We reject and refuse to have any part in the culture of hate. Jesus has modeled a different way. It’s the way of love. That narrow way includes, as a challenge to us all, the love of those who hate us.”
More than 20 pregnancy centers and dozens of churches have been vandalized since the Dobbs opinion was first leaked. Jane’s Revenge, a pro-abortion group, has taken credit for some of the attacks and issued threats such as “If abortions aren’t safe, you aren’t either.” Another group called “Ruth Sent Us” has sent protesters to protest at the homes of conservative Supreme Court justices and inside of churches during worship services with the intent to intimidate church goers.
Nearly a week ago, a 26-year-old man armed with a 9mm handgun and a knife who was upset about the Dobbs leak went to Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home with the intent to kill the justice so he couldn’t rule on the case. His plan fell through when U.S. Marshalls approached him. Nicholas John Roske was soon arrested and has since been indicted by a federal grand jury for attempted assassination of a justice of the United States.
It is time for a strong condemnation of this violent hatred from our leaders. Terrorism such as this is aimed at co-opting the way our country operates. We are not governed by violent activists who attack those doing good when they don’t get their way. Our laws are not dictated to us by groups so dedicated to their desire to be permitted to murder children that they will accept no restrictions.
Yet a nation that believes the contrived freedom to have an abortion is among its most sacred is one in desperate need of revival. The only way our nation will have that revival is through the power of God — the same power found in the ability to love our enemies and to answer hate with forgiveness.
Romans 12:17-21 is clear on how Christ followers are to treat those who intentionally harm them:
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This persecuted pro-life organization in Oregon is a picture of Christ’s power and teachings. Those who work there are available to help pregnant mothers and families with newborns at their time of genuine need, yet the world sees them as a threat. Their attacks are a response to the hate that the world holds towards Christ and truth. By responding with love and living out the gospel, believers can be a powerful example to those who hate us — and hopefully help these lost souls finally recognize their desperate need for Christ and His saving grace.
