(RNS) News reports of the possible demise of Operation Rescue are premature, the leader of the anti-abortion organization said Wednesday (Sept. 16).
Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue, said responses to a fundraising appeal he sent to supporters two weeks ago has led to a sharp turnaround in the group’s finances.
“Things have improved dramatically since we sent that letter,” he said. “We appreciate the people that have made it happen.”
The Wichita, Kan.-based organization, with an annual budget of $600,000, had seen a drop in donations this year of 30 to 40 percent. In his letter, Newman said the May 31 murder of Dr. George Tiller, a Wichita abortion provider, had a detrimental effect on anti-abortion groups like his.
“You see, this summer has been brutal for Operation Rescue. Not only did George Tiller’s death throw everybody in the pro-life movement for a loop (and especially us), but the economic crisis our nation is suffering from has brought our financial support to nearly a halt,” he wrote. “We’re now so broke (as the saying goes), we can’t even pay attention.”
Newman noted that lots of nonprofits have been in similar situations because of the economic downturn.
“Like every other nonprofit, everybody’s a month away from closing,”
he said in an interview. “We’re confident that our work is going to move forward.”
Other anti-abortion groups also have had financial difficulties. On Monday, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins told supporters that the Washington-based organization needs $2.5 million to meet its budget before its fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.
Focus on the Family announced layoffs in early September, cutting its staff by 8 percent to 860 people. The Colorado-based ministry laid off 200 employees in November 2008.
– Adelle M. Banks
Copyright 2009 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
Beliefnet
Advertisement
posted September 16, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Too bad. Their demise would have been great!
posted September 16, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Funny how their e-mail went out and next day they report they don’t have any problems. The group never had $600k before they lost their tax exempt status but the year after they lost their status they sent out an e-mail saying they are broke. Another lie by Operation Rescue?
posted September 16, 2009 at 11:01 pm
I’m guessing the last thing they want is for abortion to be made illegal because then people would stop sending them free money. Of course I also wonder similar things about some other groups of various stripes.
It seems to me I read that leaders of anti-abortion groups have been visiting Dr. Tiller’s murderer in prison. Perhaps they aren’t so thrown for a loop.
posted September 20, 2009 at 7:26 pm
So, pagans and company want to make abortion safe, legal and rare. Yes, even BHO made that tidy little declaration, so erudite, that one.
Now, rooting for the demise of anti-abortion groups you hack off a full third of your slogan – to make abortion “rare”. Making abortion rare is what these groups call success!
By careful examination of your own words, I see what you really want, now as always, is abortion, safe and legal.
Another empty promise bites the dust.