Vigil For George Tiller (In The Name Of God)

By Thomas Good

A protester at the Union Square vigil expresses her view of Dr. Tiller
(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

NEW YORK — On Monday, June 1, activists from an array of human rights organizations came together in Union Square to celebrate the life of Dr. George Tiller and to mourn his murder — Tiller was shot dead in his local church on Sunday, May 31, allegedly by a man professing "pro-life" beliefs.

George Richard Tiller, MD (August 8, 1941 - May 31, 2009) was a physician from Wichita, Kansas. He was the director of a clinic in Wichita, "Women's Health Care Services" — one of only three clinics nationwide that provided abortions after the 21st week of pregnancy.

(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

Abortion opponents kept a daily vigil outside Tiller's clinic for many years, and he was targeted by violent extremists. On August 19, 1993, he was shot in both arms outside of the Wichita clinic by Shelley Shannon, who received an 11-year prison sentence for the crime. On May 31, 2009, Tiller was shot and killed as he served as an usher during the Sunday morning service at his church in Wichita.

City Council speaker Christine Quinn
(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

The murder of Tiller sparked outrage and shock in New York's pro-choice community and on Monday 1,000 mourners filled Union Square — in a vigil called on very short notice. The vigil was an opportunity to express grief, anger — and gratitude. Many attending the vigil inscribed their thoughts and feelings on a banner.

Some of the groups and individuals participating in the memorial included: Planned Parenthood, The American Civil Liberties Union, NARAL, the World Can't Wait, Christine Quinn and other members of the New York City Council, Liz Holtzman, Donna Lieberman, and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.

Liz Holtzman
(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

NLN's Bud Korotzer photographed the vigil and singer/activist David Rovics contributed a new song about the murder, "In The Name Of God", to be used as the backing score of a slideshow of Korotzer's images.

View The Slideshow (NLN on YouTube)

We here at Next Left Notes offer George Tiller's family our condolences, our respect, and our solidarity. Presente.

View Photos/Videos From The Event…

Thomas Good, Editor
Next Left Notes (NLN)
National Writers Union - UAW Local 1981
International Federation of Journalists

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