MARTHA AVILA: Pro-Lifers Must Meet Hatred With Courage And Hope

Political violence should have no place in America. Yet over the past few weeks, the American public has seen countless acts of violence directed at the vulnerable – from the Annunciation school shooting to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and, more recently, to Virginia Attorney General candidate Jay Jones’ leaked texts calling for a political opponent to receive “two bullets to the head.”

Such disturbing vitriol is, unfortunately, unsurprising for those of us working to support the pro-life safety net. Our clinics had been attacked on different occasions. We experienced protests in front of our clinics, with the opposition throwing feces and eggs at our windows and doors and shouting obscenities.

When the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization was leaked in 2022, pro-abortion radicals declared a “summer of rage,” and proceeded to launch a wave of nearly 100 violent attacks on pro-life organizations nationwide.

These terrifying attacks involved fire bombings, windows smashed, threats spray painted on walls, and more. They cost pro-life pregnancy centers and maternity homes precious resources that could have gone to women and children in need.

At that time, the threatening phone calls began at our own clinics. We immediately contacted the police, who referred us to the FBI. We took the Active Shooter Training offered by the FBI, and we were advised to install security cameras at all of our clinics. They also recommended hiring security guards; however, we could not afford that level of protection.

That July 3, 2022, our Hialeah clinic was vandalized with threatening messages, spray-painted “If abortion is not safe neither are you.” “Janes Revenge”, “Our rage will not stop.” signed by “Antifa”. They broke the lights and spray-painted our security cameras. We spent over $2,000 in repairs, and thanks to volunteers, we were able to open the next day. After the vandalism at our Hialeah clinic, the local police department provided temporary security surveillance for a few days. Then, in September, our annual Gala was violently disrupted, causing terror among our guests. This time, the vandals were arrested.

Determined to prevent similar attacks on other pregnancy help clinics, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody indicted the vandals. We were also offered pro bono legal representation by First Liberty Institute, which filed a lawsuit in the State of Florida. Thankfully, the attack was all on video. Ultimately, three of the offenders pleaded guilty, and the fourth was found guilty by a jury and sentenced accordingly.

These attacks are clearly intended for a specific reason: to intimidate and silence those of us working to provide vulnerable women with real resources and support. And the attacks are not just physical. Nationwide, pro-abortion politicians have fought dishonestly to weaponize the law and shutter pro-life organizations for the singular reason that they do not provide abortions.

In a nation where over 60% of women who have had abortions say they would have preferred to parent if they had more resources or support, clinics like ours are essential for providing women with the very resources they need to avoid unwanted abortions, and for their children and families to thrive. This life-affirming work threatens the abortion industry, which thrives off the income generated by the false narrative that women need abortion to succeed, or that abortion is the only solution to women’s problems.

Indeed, since we opened our doors in 2007, Heartbeat of Miami Pregnancy Help Medical Clinics has helped save over 72,000 babies. That’s 72,000 lives that will go on to change the world, rather than lining the abortion industry’s pockets.

Today, we have five clinics serving South Florida, each of which offers free ultrasounds and access to around-the-clock, compassionate care. We also offer moms free materials like diapers, baby clothes, blankets, and more. Additionally, we are part of the abortion pill reversal network. We offer parenting classes, women’s wellness, and abortion recovery counseling. We also work with outside agencies to collaborate on adoption options or housing assistance for the moms in our care.

Sadly, the political violence and hatred seem to have reached a fever pitch. Many of the pro-life advocates working on the frontlines of the pro-life safety net may reasonably feel intimidated or discouraged by the ongoing events and the animosity directed at them.

It’s easy to give in to discouragement. However, our clinics’ origins are an ever-present reminder to me that we must meet fear and attack with courage and hope.

As bad actors turn to violence as a solution to problems or disagreements – whether targeted at political figures or the unborn – we must remember our founding principles and courageously continue our work. The hope generated by tens of thousands of lives saved will echo across generations far more powerfully than any assassin’s bullet, political vitriol, or pro-abortion attack.

Martha E. Avila serves as the President and Co-Founder of Heartbeat of Miami Pregnancy Help Medical Clinics. Since 2007, she has helped establish five fully equipped pregnancy help medical clinics throughout Miami-Dade, with plans to expand into the neediest neighborhoods in South Florida.