AG Orders US Protection for 'Appropriate' Facilities After Abortion Doc Killed
U.S. Marshals rarely offer protection for private individuals outside the court system, but the government is making an exception to the general rule after the slaying of abortion provider George Tiller at his Wichita, Kan., church yesterday.
Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement yesterday: “I have directed the United States Marshals Service to offer protection to other appropriate people and facilities around the nation. The Department of Justice will work to bring the perpetrator of this crime to justice. As a precautionary measure, we will also take appropriate steps to help prevent any related acts of violence from occurring.”
The U.S. Marshals Service is authorized to act because of the order by the attorney general, the Associated Press reports. The Marshals Service confirmed to AP that it will “increase security for a number of individuals and facilities.” Spokesman Jeff Carter told the AP that the Judicial Security Division “is establishing protection details at this time.”
Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood officials in Overland Park, Kan., said they would open the abortion clinic but they were taking extra precautions for employees and patients, reports Fox4KC.com.
