More on the Vigils, Dr. Tiller's Funeral, an OpEd from a Medical Student, and Scott Roeder Speaks

On Saturday, The Wichita Eagle reported on the many, many vigils that have occurred to honor Dr. George Tiller. While they reported 45 vigils in 24 states on Saturday, today we're up to 50 vigils. Incredible. What's more, they reported:

[NARAL Pro-Choice America] said that more than 12,500 people had put their names on an Internet memorial wall for Tiller. The wall is located at www.remembertiller.com.

As of today, we're seeing more than 17,000 signatures and counting. Add yours today.

The New York Times covered Saturday's memorial service for Dr. Tiller:

Dr. Tiller's oldest daughter, Jennifer, told of how she and her family and her parents had spent the week before the shooting at Disney World. She described her father, in sandals and white ankle socks, wearing far too much sunblock, spending the final days of his life at play. "He was just a normal guy," she said.

...Hundreds of mourners streamed into the church, quickly filling the main sanctuary, which seats about 800. Hundreds more, including women who had once been Dr. Tiller's patients, packed an overflow room, with dozens more crowded in the church hallways.

Most carried white carnations and wore a button that read, "Attitude is everything." The button held special significance. Dr. Tiller, a lover of axioms, had worn a similar button for more than 25 years.

At the front of the sanctuary, beside a framed photograph of Dr. Tiller, was a large wreath that framed a simple sign, "Trust Women." The family also announced the establishment of the George R. Tiller Memorial Fund for the Advancement of Women's Health.

Read the entire article to get the full story.

In Sunday's Washington Post, medical student Rozalyn Farmer Love writes, "I grew up believing that abortions are wrong. Now, I expect to perform them someday":

I'm a third-year medical student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I plan to become an obstetrician-gynecologist. I dream of delivering healthy babies, working with families and supporting midwifery. But as part of my practice, I also envision providing abortions to women who need them.

The road I took to get here isn't your stereotypical one. My parents are conservative Christians who believe that abortion is wrong. Growing up, I naturally shared their view. But I've also wanted to be a doctor since I was 4 years old, and in high school, I began to feel drawn to issues of women's health. In college, I designed my own major to broaden my understanding of women's health by including psychology, sociology and women's studies courses.

I also served as a counselor for a volunteer organization that helps victims of rape. I sat in hospital rooms with young women who would look at me and say, "I can't be pregnant. I just couldn't carry his baby." I could feel their desperation.

This incredibly profound op-ed is definitely a must read. This third-year medical student has a powerful perspective and her story must be shared.

Scott Roeder, the man charged with murdering Dr. Tiller, called the Associated Press from prison yesterday and said:

"I know there are many other similar events planned around the country as long as abortion remains legal," Roeder said. When asked by the AP what he meant and if he was referring to another shooting, he refused to elaborate further.

It wasn't clear whether Roeder knew of any impending violence or whether he was simply seeking publicity for his cause. Law enforcement authorities including the Justice Department said they didn't know whether the threat was credible.

...Nancy Keenan president of NARAL-Pro-Choice America, said Roeder's comments "continue to escalate that kind of activity, that kind of violence. Quite honestly, I think it's imperative for anti-choice groups to tone down that rhetoric and keep the more extreme elements in their movement form copying Scott Roeder."