Barnett Slepian

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Barnett Slepian (April 23, 1946 – October 23, 1998) was an American physician and abortion provider who was murdered in Amherst, New York by anti-abortion extremist James Kopp. Slepian's death marked a significant moment in the history of abortion in the United States, highlighting the extreme tensions and violence that can surround the issue of reproductive rights.

Early Life and Education

Barnett Slepian was born on April 23, 1946. He pursued a career in medicine, a field that would eventually lead him to become involved in providing abortion services, a highly contentious area of medical practice due to the polarizing nature of abortion rights in the United States.

Career

As a physician, Slepian worked in the Buffalo area of New York State, where he provided a range of obstetric and gynecological services, including abortions. His work in this field made him a target for anti-abortion activists, who often protested outside clinics where he worked and sometimes targeted him personally.

Murder

On October 23, 1998, Barnett Slepian was at his home in Amherst, New York, when he was fatally shot by a sniper through a window. The murderer, James Kopp, was an anti-abortion extremist who had targeted Slepian for his role in providing abortion services. Kopp was later captured, tried, and convicted for the murder of Barnett Slepian. The assassination of Slepian was part of a series of violent attacks on abortion providers in the United States and Canada, which included shootings, bombings, and arsons, carried out by individuals opposed to abortion.

Legacy

The murder of Barnett Slepian served as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by abortion providers and the extreme measures some individuals will take in their opposition to abortion. It led to increased security measures at clinics that provide abortions and sparked further debate on the issue of reproductive rights in the United States. Slepian's death is commemorated by colleagues, family, and supporters of reproductive rights as a tragic loss in the fight for women's healthcare and autonomy.

See Also

• Abortion in the United States
• Violence against abortion providers
• Reproductive rights