NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE RESPONSE TO ROEDER VERDICT

WASHINGTON -- Today, a jury in Wichita, Kansas found Scott Roeder guilty of first-degree murder for shooting Dr. George Tiller on May 31, 2009.  The following statement from the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of 50 state right-to-life groups and more than 3,000 local chapters, may be attributed to NRLC Executive Director David N. O'Steen, Ph.D.

The actions last May of which Scott Roeder was just convicted are antithetical to the work of the pro-life movement to protect the lives of unborn children and their mothers.  NRLC strongly opposes any use of violence as a means of stopping the violence that has killed more than 52 million unborn children since 1973.

NRLC has always been involved in peaceful, legal activities to protect human lives threatened by abortion, infanticide and euthanasia.  We have always, and continue to, oppose any form of violence to fight the violence of abortion.  NRLC has had a policy of forbidding violence and illegal activity by its staff, directors, officers, affiliated state organizations and chapters.  NRLC=s sole purpose is to protect human life.

NRLC will continue to work in educational, legislative and political activities to ensure the right to life for unborn children, people with disabilities and older people.  NRLC will continue to work for peaceful solutions to social problems.  These solutions involve helping women and their children and do not involve violence against anyone. 

The National Right to Life Committee, the nation=s largest pro-life group, is a federation of affiliates in all 50 states and more than 3,000 local chapters nationwide.  National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect those threatened by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted suicide.