Abortion foe punched

The Gazette ^ | Wednesday, November 27, 2002 | Erin Jordan

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Abortion foe punched

By Erin Jordan
The Gazette
Wednesday, November 27, 2002, 8:59:24 AM
IOWA CITY -- Donna Holman said her husband, Dan, has been beaten up four times in the last year by people who don't like his anti-abortion preaching outside clinics that offer abortions.

Dan Holman, 55, ended up in the hospital Tuesday after he was assaulted outside the Emma Goldman Clinic for Women by a man who objected to him videotaping people entering the clinic, police said.

The Holmans are from Keokuk. "He preaches repentance and says you will burn in hell if you don't repent. They don't like that here at Emma Goldman," Donna Holman, 67, said.

Bradley Glenn Ewoldt, 20, of Davenport, was charged with assault causing injury after police accused him of punching Holman in the nose just after 9 a.m. Tuesday outside the clinic at 227 N. Dubuque St.

The Holmans, members of a group called the Missionaries for the Unborn, have been in Iowa City for several weeks protesting at both the Emma Goldman Clinic and Planned Parenthood, at 850 Orchard St.

While they stood in front of Emma Goldman on Tuesday with large pictures of aborted fetuses, Dan Holman videotaped four people entering the clinic. He later used the camera to tape Ewoldt when Ewoldt came out of the building to smoke a cigarette, Iowa City police reported.

Ewoldt told Holman twice to stop videotaping, but Holman continued, police said. Ewoldt punched Holman in the face and broke Holman's video camera, police said. Holman said Ewoldt also kicked him. Holman was transported to Mercy Iowa City, where he was treated and released.

Donna Holman said she and her husband usually use the camera to videotape their interaction with police to make sure their right to free speech is not violated. Lt. Sid Jackson said the Holmans have videotaped police officers' actions in the last two weeks.

Emma Goldman Executive Director Karen Kubby said she is concerned because the tactics of anti-abortion protesters, such as the Holmans, are escalating from verbal interaction to videotaping.

"Although the courts have said it (videotaping) is legal, I think it is an invasion in many people's minds," Kubby said. "It does make it very difficult for clients and supporters when they are yelled and screamed at."

Kubby said she has heard of anti-abortion protesters putting videos of people using clinics that offer abortions on the Internet or public-access television. This has not been done at the Emma Goldman Clinic, she said.

All local content copyright © 2002 by The Gazette Company, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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www.prochoiceviolence.com

[matthew_the_brain]

I am so sick of these Proabortion bullies picking on the most frail of society....wow, big people, killing unborn children and punching senior citizens.

I am 6'4'', 220 lbs.....i would love to have one of these hags come at me.

[SuziQ]

"He preaches repentance and says you will burn in hell if you don't repent. They don't like that here at Emma Goldman," Donna Holman, 67, said.

Sounds like someone can't handle the TRUTH!

[SuziQ]

wow, big people, killing unborn children and punching senior citizens.

My sister took part in an Operation Rescue once and she said she had NEVER heard such vile language and ugliness (from the pro-aborts) in her LIFE!

[Desdemona]

I am 6'4'', 220 lbs.....i would love to have one of these hags come at me.

People who punch out others simply because they can are pathetic. You, OTOH, would only do so in self-defense, right?

[Buffalo Bob]

A few items:

Rather than gory pictures of aborted infants, try displaying this photo.

Also, videotaping folks against their wishes is rude and will get you a punch in the nose. Just a fact is all.

I understand the desire to stem the tide of abortions. Anyone who knows me on FR knows me to be a steadfast pro-lifer. There are a variety of ways to change hearts and minds. The tactics used by these folks, however, help fuel sympathy for the pro-death crowd.

[2banana]

Ewoldt told Holman twice to stop videotaping, but Holman continued, police said. Ewoldt punched Holman in the face and broke Holman's video camera, police said. Holman said Ewoldt also kicked him. Holman was transported to Mercy Iowa City, where he was treated and released.

This is assault. Have him arrested. Then sue him for civil rights violations.

[muir_redwoods]

If you're getting beaten up on a frequent basis I suggest some martial arts training. You don't need a black belt to learn enough to give the other guy a reason to reconsider his attack. Knowledge of some pressure points and some simple joint locks will work wonders on another guy's agression.

They don't usually leave marks either.

[Psalm 73]

Wonder how much the "clinic" was paying this thug to provide "protection", (read: "intimidation of peacefull pro-life warriors").
The baby-killers are feeling the pressure from pro-life Americans, and the recent pro-life victories in this past election are increasing their paranoia.
They will get much nastier, and Americans sitting on the fence will see their true colors, just like at the Wellstone memorial/rally.

[Zansman]

If the "puncher" only objected to the camera on principle and was not himself being filmed or had no wife/girlfriend being filmed, then I agree he should be charged with assault.

On the other hand, if the protester was filming the puncher and/or his wife/girlfriend then the protester pretty much got what he was asking for. While I may not agree with the path the couple is choosing, I realize it is an extremely emotional decision and if a protester wants to stick his face into that situation, he takes his chances.

I also don't agree with people who beat the crap out of flag burners, but I certainly would understand a Veteran letting his emotions get the better of him and taking a swing or two. Burning a flag is just as legal as getting an abortion, you tell me what the LEGAL difference is (the Courts hear LEGAL arguements, not moral or Biblical ones).

Videotaping people and getting in their face with Scripture may deter a few abortions, but in the long run, I believe it hurts the overall cause.

To use your Wellstone analogy in a different way, it "pumped up" the blindly partisan, but overall it turned off the hearts and minds of the rest so much they wouldn't remember anything else come Election Day.

Photos like the "baby in hand" along with educating people (in a non-confrontational way)work a lot better than shoving post abortion photos in peoples faces.

Like it or not, abortion on demand is currently the law of the land and the only way to change that is via the courts. The confrontational tactics of some, I believe hurt us on this front.

Flame Away!!!!!!!!

[Made In The USA]

If they could all just come to recognize that this debate is what is in that picture.... What kind of evil is it that doesn't put this whole debate in such perspective, I'll never know.

[Texas_Jarhead]

unbelievable - but what do you expect from advocates of death

[Malcolm]

Although I can't speak for others, as a Christian I don't know that demonstrating outside of these "clinics" is the best strategy to defeat abortion. Videotaping people going in and out of these places, esp considering the killings of some abortion doctors, probably does not make those filmed very comfy, either. I believe prayer and voting for the right candidates to overturn Row v. Wade is the best we can do. Abortion bothers me as much as anyone, but sometimes we Christians must be patient, even with an atrocity such as this.....

[colorado tanker]

I agree with you. We are slowly winning over public opinion. We need tactics that persuade, not alienate. And thanks for the beautiful pik.

[MHGinTN]

Amen, Bob. Count me as standing with you in reverence for that little one of God's creating.

[Psalm 73]

The article says the guy just came out to smoke a cigarette - didn't say what he was doing there, or if anyone else was even with him. That's what made me think he was a hired goon.
But even if he (or his girl) was being filmed, - if you took my picture as I was coming out of the grocery store, would I have a right to physically assault you?
Pro-lifers being assaulted and abused is not a rare thing - it's pretty common.
Ask anyone who spends time there. Garden hoses turned on them, verbal abuse, things thrown at them - it's all pretty common.
But like Ann Coulter says, this past election seemed like God was giving America one last chance - we can turn back toward him, or wind up like the ancient Hebrews...

[joesnuffy]

Those who hate God
Love death
Woe to those who call good evil
and evil good

[ampat]

Pro abortionists have nothing to fear but the truth.

[Psalm 73]

"Abortion bothers me as much as anyone, but sometimes we Christians must be patient, even with an atrocity such as this..."

Good think you weren't leading the British slave trade abolition movement in place of Witherspoon.
Remember, "Faith without works is dead"