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Abortion rights activist Julie Burkhart tells Alan why she is fighting to reopen a Wichita abortion clinic
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Hello and welcome -- for -- founder and executive director of trust women thank you worked with the George Tiller.
The sadly late abortion doctor for what many years.
Yes we work together.
For approximately eight years.
And you.
Are deciding to keep his name going bye -- you've taken over or taking over his clinic.
We did his work in and getting doctors -- -- to continue the work he did as a current.
That's correct we're changing the model a little -- we're gonna be a full spectrum of BG -- facility but abortion care is.
One of our services that will be offered.
Tell me what your thought is behind this and why you're taking the step in what is still a very heated atmosphere -- and even the subject.
Or should I say victim or the focus of protests you've been threatened even people protesting -- long.
Why do in this.
Well I just feel that deep in my heart dead here in the middle of the country just because we live in the middle of the country where it tends to be.
More traditional and conventional and you know some folks -- definite anti choice -- It still doesn't mean that women.
There shouldn't be able to go to their physician and access.
Abortion care if that's what they want to do.
And so it's each woman's decision.
In consultation with her handling issue where she and her position.
To do that and we no matter where we live in the United States we have a right.
Two that surfaced.
As I understand the nearest clinic is about two -- two miles away right.
Yes so women from this part -- state which isn't south central Kansas and also we will be servicing women from western Canada.
They have to draft either Kansas City which is in the northeast corner of the states -- down to Oklahoma such as Oklahoma City or tall.
What -- -- you had attracting doctors.
To come and do abortions.
Well I I don't want to say it's been easy if it happened and we've put a lot of time into recruiting.
Doctors to come and work with us.
We do have three positions at this point who are.
Contractors to work with.
On.
You know various days each month and we are continuing.
To recruit physicians.
So.
And I even after flying in right from other cities are not living there.
They're not going the nother full time right.
Correct some well that we will we will have.
At least one physician who is here.
What you're up against is interesting in that not just in your state and Alabama -- doing this but certainly in Kansas.
With governor Sam Brownback who is a vehement anti abortion person the fact that they are some legally doing legislation that they.
Really hope will put an end to abortions like mandating.
That the size of surgical equipment room to be a certain -- doctors have to get admitting privileges.
How how much you've got to fight those kinds of pieces of legislation right to do what you wanted to.
Well that's correct so as we you know put the pieces of this.
You know clinic together this medical facility together we.
We have we have really kept in mind you try to keep in mind you know that you know definitely the laws that are on the books that we need to follow.
And then looking at what might be coming our way.
Still we are trying to remain ahead of the curve.
-- that we don't.
Big headaches since six months or twelve months and just just to try to anticipate what we might be up -- -- Violated a few moments ago two years your -- yourself being the subject her victim of significant -- Edwards -- -- can see yourself victim but certainly the focus of protests.
-- tell me specifically what's happened to you get nasty phone calls people around your house what are you had to endure.
Well I have had my home ticketed now on.
Two occasions.
Just the last.
Time this last Freddy actually Friday morning.
And that you know what is disturbing is that -- and it's.
It has been led by a a former pastor of spirit one -- -- -- -- -- -- yes symbolic and and so it's been spearheaded by his group and what -- it disturbing that they have distributed these wanted style posters.
And the language you know it's of course not explicit that you read between the lines and I believe it to be -- call.
For violent.
Also they had a sign.
And the occasions that they were here.
That said where's your church.
And as we all know doctor George Tiller was murdered in gesture.
That.
Has given us a lot of concern.
There's a guy anymore keeps in who was chairman of Kansas coalition for life and he says whose group -- protesters.
There sidewalk counselors.
That's -- there framing.
Well ha I -- definitely dispute that.
You know they're not giving giving.
They're not giving women factual information.
They're trying to.
To determine what a woman does.
Themselves instead of asking the woman what is in her heart.
And I would I would call them protester has just.
-- we deliver -- founder and executive director of trust women -- You have said I'm not going to be intimidated.
By protests and threats how do you -- do you bring yourself to the point where you're not you're not I wish you concerned about your welfare and well being.
But to stand up to these forces.
How do you bring yourself to do that and he prepare yourself -- Well I think you know I've I think during the current number of years now and -- the death.
Doctor tiller -- you know it -- really you know a lot of it's not just myself but you know we're.
Really had a lot of soul searching.
And you know just just when it comes down to is that.
You know I believe in freedom and their -- for people to make you know decisions about their own lives no matter you know what what that is.
And so.
You know I feel that in order to have freedom in this country you know women must be able to have reproductive health care.
And you know this is spend my life for many years and then I feel like it's my home and it's my place and it's my it's my duty.
-- do to help do my small part.
-- well made a statement to mother Jones -- mother Jones reported that Hewitt said this may Santana went to a counter intuitive the people who call themselves pro life but you.
Say abortion is about motherhood.
Because by and large women coming to have abortions are concerned about the kind of life and the future for their children.
That's exactly right.
I believe that women making decisions about abortion and adoption to continue a pregnancy.
You know what a pregnant woman is making.
That decision on behalf of her children -- future children.
And so it is about mother -- and I it's very it's a responsible.
Thing to you know women and women are you know whether it's.
Abortion adoption first birthing.
Women are making very responsible decisions about.
You know their lives and their families.
When is the clinic and open.
Whale all I -- to give you definitely tip I would have look I'm gonna say spring that's definitely in the spring.
And hitter in the spring rather than later -- -- and.
And they won't be late term abortions will there -- No we're just going to be offering procedures through fourteen weeks.
So what -- -- what they've worked at doctor -- it was often for women who could not.
Find anywhere else to go to get late term abortions is is there a place for women in.
Your neck of the woods to go should they need that procedure usually it's not as the other side would claim.
Cavalier decision after months of being pregnant doing the pregnancy normally it's a medical reason.
Where where you go to do that.
Right right women and women who need procedures for our maternal health indication or fetal.
Indication -- -- something wrong with pregnancy -- -- -- Their two colleagues -- doctor tiller is here and out and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Where women can -- And there is another colleges is in Boulder, Colorado.
And then a fourth -- in Maryland.
In in Germantown Maryland.
Of course this discriminates against those who may not have the means to take off work travel.
And -- go to expenses of those and other parts of the country might not have to do.
Well -- that's that's correct and it and it is a very specialized area.
I do appreciate your talking to us we -- the best of luck doing this and appreciate your music sharing what you're doing when they're -- is -- thank you for your time.
Well thank you for having me on your show -- Thanks very much -- -- -- found executive director of trust women packed.
