THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 2, 1995 TAG: 9501020063
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Long : 127 lines
Just when it seemed a ``prayer vigil'' in support of John C. Salvi III - the suspected killer of two abortion clinic workers - was about to break up without incident Sunday, activist Donald Spitz aimed a bullhorn at the expanse of the City Jail.
``John Salvi,'' Spitz shouted to no window in particular, ``We love you. .
Spitz, director of Chesapeake-based Pro-Life Virginia, was one of eight anti-abortion activists who went to the jail Sunday. And the most vocal.
``Thank you for what you did,'' Spitz shouted. ``We want to help you any way we can.''
Somewhere inside, Salvi, 22, was being held without bond. He is accused of firing at least 23 rounds from a semiautomatic rifle on Saturday at the building that houses the Hillcrest Clinic abortion facility, on East Little Creek Road in Norfolk.
Three hours later at the clinic, about three dozen people - many of them members of the National Organization for Women - gathered for a vigil of their own. Unlike the event at the jail, this one was quiet and reflective.
``We wanted to have a little memorial for the two women who died'' in Massachusetts, said Robbin Love, 27, a participant in the candlelight vigil. ``To honor them and their bravery in light of the potential for violence in their jobs.''
Love said she also wanted ``to send a message to the women of Tidewater that we will not be intimidated by the terrorist acts of the so-called pro-life movement.''
Salvi was arrested about noon Saturday, just three blocks away from the clinic. He is to answer charges on Tuesday before General District Judge Reid M. Spencer.
Salvi also faces federal and state charges stemming from two assaults on abortion clinics Friday in Brookline, Mass. Two women died; five more people were hurt.
Massachusetts police and a state prosecutor are in Norfolk, said Norfolk police spokesman Larry Hill. Most authorities suspect Salvi will quickly be extradited there.
On Sunday, at the Norfolk City Hall Plaza, journalists from across the country wrestled for position as they squeezed around Spitz. There were about a dozen television crews, as many still photographers and even more reporters.
Spitz said he felt no compassion for the two women who died at a gunman's hands in Massachusetts. Nor did he care that their families are suffering.
``Their daughters were advocates and accessories to murders,'' Spitz said. ``Why is the life of a receptionist worth more than the lives of 50 innocent human babies?''
Spitz stopped short of actually calling for more killing, but he left no doubt he supports those who kill abortion doctors and those who work with them.
``The message is to save babies,'' Spitz said. ``I will encourage people to do whatever is necessary'' to stop abortions, he said.
And while Spitz said ``deeds done in the defense of human lives are justified,'' that does not apply to saving the lives of clinic workers confronted by anti-abortion gunmen.
If someone were to kill such a gunman, ``not only would his blood be on (their) hands,'' Spitz said, ``but the blood of all those innocent babies would be on (their) hands.''
No one was injured in Saturday's attack on the building that houses Hillcrest. After seeing the shooting, Norfolk arson investigator Ken Harlan spotted a truck being driven from the scene by Salvi.
Harlan, who has declined requests to be interviewed, carries a 9 mm handgun, but decided not to risk a shootout. Instead, he followed the suspect and radioed for help. Moments later, police cars surrounded the pickup and arrested Salvi, ending a nationwide manhunt.
Outside the jail Sunday, Ed Hyatt, 54, a nuclear engineer from Virginia Beach, carried a sign calling Salvi a ``prisoner of war.''
Rae Powell, 38, of Virginia Beach came to the vigil with her daughter and husband. ``I think he's right,'' she said of Salvi. Could she take up arms against someone?
``Thankfully, the Lord hasn't directed me on that path and I haven't had to make that decision,'' Powell said. ``But I hope I would be obedient.''
Spitz, who is often among those protesting every Saturday at Hillcrest, is one of two local activists who signed a 1993 petition supporting the use of force - even murder - to halt abortion.
The other local signer was David Crane, who is now director of Citizens for Justice. But Crane distanced himself somewhat from Spitz's fire and fury Sunday, saying at one point that Spitz ``makes me look mainstream.''
Crane said he ``understands what motivates people'' to violence on this issue, but that he believes there are nonviolent ways to fight abortion.
``This is another wake-up call for people to get active through peaceful means,'' he said. ``Twenty-two years of diplomatic methods have produced 30 million aborted babies.''
Still, killing is not the answer, he said. ``All life is precious,'' he said. Even an abortionist's? ``Yes.''
Still unanswered Sunday: Why Norfolk?
Both Spitz and Crane said they did not know of Salvi until they heard his name in news reports about the shootings in Massachusetts. But Crane said he suspects Salvi might have learned of Hillcrest from ``The Life Advocate,'' an anti-abortion magazine. The magazine featured a story on the clinic in its November issue.
Connie Hannah, vice president of the NOW chapter, suspects that media attention given anti-abortions - particularly in Hampton Roads - drew the gunman here.
``I believe that murderer showed up in Norfolk because of that,'' she said.
Hannah said there is a real concern that more violence may follow the incidents in Brookline and Norfolk. But she pledged that women will not give up the right of choice.
``NOW is going to continue to support reproductive freedom,'' Hannah said. ``The days of the anti-abortionists are over, and it doesn't matter how much money they are getting our how much press they're getting. We will not give up that right.'' ILLUSTRATION: TAMARA VONINSKI
Staff
[Color Photos]
Anti-abortion advocates Rae Powell, left, her husband, Bill, and
their daughter, Melissa, attend a vigil outside Norfolk City Jail.
John C. Salvi III
TAMARA VONINSKI
Staff
- Donald Spitz, anti-abortion activist
KEYWORDS: SHOOTING ANTI-ABORTION ARREST ABORTION CLINIC by CNB