Last year, the so-called Center for Medical Progress released secret video footage that claimed to expose Planned Parenthood’s illegal handling of fetal tissue donation. The man behind that smear campaign, David Daleiden, has now shifted his focus to Washington State doctors and researchers involved in important, life-saving research.
Daleiden has requested public records from the University of Washington Birth Defects Research Lab in hopes of finding what we’re positive he will not: wrongdoing on the part of Washington State abortion providers.
Though these providers have nothing to hide, his request is cause for concern. Anti-abortion extremists like Daleiden have used records requests to gather and publicize the personal information of individuals, putting them at risk of harm or harassment. And Daleiden’s request is so broad that releasing the records would disclose personal information identifying more than 150 people.
That’s why Legal Voice is representing a group of people seeking to protect their identities and personal information from being disclosed in these records. One of our clients said, “I fear that having my identity and personal information released to the public would lead to harassment, threats, or violence directed against me or my family.”
Her fear is completely valid. Over the past year, we have seen an increase in threats, harassment, and even physical violence toward abortion care providers.
We are pleased that the court granted an order temporarily protecting personal information of our clients from disclosure. But the fight isn’t over yet. We are soon heading back to court to continue advocating for our clients’ safety and privacy.
Daleiden and the Center for Medical Progress have intimidated doctors who perform abortion and other scientists connected with fetal tissue research for long enough. It is past time to stop the attacks on health care professionals and the necessary care they provide. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.
Thank you for standing with us.
