Firebombed Pregnancy Center Executive Forgives Arsonists—Federal Legislation Unveiled

CompassCare became the first firebombed pro-life medical office to rebuild and reopen—just 52 days after the arson attack. At a press conference on August 1^st, the organization celebrated a grand reopening with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a ground breaking ceremony. The press conference included statements from Rev. Jim Harden forgiving Jane’s Revenge as well as the first official statement from any law enforcement agency since the attacks began in May. The press conference was attended by church leaders as well as local, state, and federal elected representatives.

The official public statement from the Amherst Police Department—just three sentences—fell flat, essentially stating that there have been no arrests and requesting help from the public.

In Rev. Harden’s message to Jane’s Revenge, he said, “Law enforcement may be asking, ‘Where are you?’ because they do not know. But God, who made the eye, sees you. And He calls to you as He called to Adam and Eve after they sinned, doing grave damage to humanity, saying, ‘Where are you?’ As Christians, we do not take revenge.” Rev. Harden went on to say, “Either let Jesus pay for your sin by joining us in submission at the foot of the cross or pay for your sins yourself forever. I implore you, come out of the darkness and confess before it is too late.”

After Rev. Harden’s statement, some strongly-worded remarks were made by elected representatives. NY Senator Borrello, referring to Governor Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and others not present rebuking, “If you cannot be here to stand…to say that violence is wrong, you have given up your right to represent the people of New York State.”

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) unveiled federal legislation—the Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act—increasing penalties for violence perpetrated against pro-life organizations and churches.

Finally, the ground breaking ceremony began the process of increasing the square footage of CompassCare’s pro-life medical office by 30%, enabling more women considering abortion to be served in person and online through telehealth. At the press conference, Rev. Harden said, “What this ground breaking ceremony symbolizes is that with our global telehealth partner, Let’s Talk Interactive, CompassCare is positioned to give 650 pregnancy centers nationwide the 21^st century telehealth tools to compete head-on with the billion-dollar abortion empire by reaching and serving every woman in America before she travels and before the lethal chemical abortion drugs are sent to her in the mail.”