MADISON, Wis. ( Associated Press) — Arson investigators were examining the remains of a fire Sunday inside the headquarters of the anti-abortion group Wisconsin Family Action, where someone spray-painted a threat on an outside wall of the building.
Madison police spokeswoman Stephanie Fryer told the Wisconsin State Journal that the fire reported shortly after 6 a.m. Sunday in Madison was suspicious in nature. No one was injured, and officials are still working to determine the extent of the damage it caused.
It was unclear who had vandalized the building, but outside was this threat: “If abortions aren’t safe, then neither are you.”
The lobbying group’s chairwoman, Julaine Appling, said she sees the fire as a “direct threat to us” given that it occurred just days after a draft US Supreme Court opinion was leaked suggesting that the highest court could soon overturn the ruling in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion across the country. She noted that people could have been injured if they had been working in the office at the time.
“This is the local manifestation of the anger and lack of tolerance of pro-choice people toward those of us who are pro-life,” Appling said.
Wisconsin politicians, including Democratic Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, were quick to criticize the vandalism on Sunday.
“This attack is abhorrent and should be condemned by all,” said Republican Senator Ron Johnson.
Tom Nelson, Democratic candidate for the federal Senate, also denounced what happened.
“I’m committed to protecting women’s rights, but we have to do it the right way,” Nelson said. “Violence and destruction are not the answer. I’m glad no one was hurt.”
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