Reproductive Freedom Advocates Gather in Grief and Resolve Following Political Assassination in Minnesota
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2025
CONTACT
Noah Parrish, 651-432-0171
noah.parrish@genderjustice.us
St. Paul, MN—On Wednesday evening, members of Minnesota’s reproductive freedom movement gathered at a private event to mourn the politically motivated assassination of Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the attempted murder of Senator John Hoffman, his wife, and daughter. The gathering brought together abortion providers, advocates, organizers, and elected officials to honor Rep. Hortman’s life and legacy, and to acknowledge the deadly consequences of anti-abortion extremism.
The event was organized by UnRestrict Minnesota–a multi-racial coalition of abortion providers, lawyers, clinicians, faith leaders, and grassroots advocates working to remove barriers, protect access to care, and expand reproductive freedom across the state.
Speakers reflected on Rep. Hortman’s leadership in securing some of the strongest reproductive freedom protections in the country, including her central role in repealing outdated abortion restrictions, passing the PRO Act, and expanding access to care.
“Melissa helped make Minnesota a national leader in reproductive freedom,” said Sen. Erin Maye Quade. “We don’t yet know all the shooter’s motivations, but we do know this: inflammatory anti-abortion rhetoric has long inspired extremists to commit violence. This was not random. It’s part of a broader pattern of using terror to silence people who fight for freedom. We grieve, but we will not be quiet. And we will not back down.”
“What happened to Melissa Hortman was an unspeakable tragedy, but it was also an act of political violence, driven by extremism,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. “This kind of violence emerges from years of dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric. It’s about dehumanizing people with an aim to demonize abortion rights, bodily autonomy, and equality. As Attorney General, I am fully committed to holding violent actors accountable and to stand with the communities targeted by hate.”
Speakers throughout the evening made clear: this was not just a personal tragedy, it was a political act meant to instill fear and halt progress.
“This wasn’t an isolated act–it targeted people and ideals at the heart of our fight for justice. It was an attack on all of us who dare to live authentically, who fight for a world where every person’s body and life are their own,” said Rep. Leigh Finke, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “The same hatred that fuels anti-abortion violence also fuels attacks on trans and nonbinary people, immigrants, democracy, and on anyone who doesn’t fit into a narrow, extremist worldview. We know how dangerous that hatred can be. But we also know the power of solidarity, and tonight, we stand together in our grief and our courage.”
This assassination is not an isolated act, it’s part of a decades-long pattern of violence by the anti-abortion movement. Since 1977, extremists have carried out 11 murders, 42 bombings, 200 arsons, and more than 500 assaults targeting those who provide or seek reproductive health care. Fear, intimidation, and violence have long been central tactics of this movement.
“I was at our clinic in Bloomington on Saturday when our CEO reached out to let me know that the assassin had abortion providers and clinics on his list. Of course, my heart just sank with this news, it was really scary,” said Rachel Ferkin, Clinic Manager, Whole Woman’s Health of Minnesota. “We decided as a team to provide care for the few remaining patients we had on site and then get ourselves home as quickly and safely as possible. I am proud to say we all came together and everyone got the care they needed, because all of us at Whole Woman’s Health are deeply committed to providing abortion care for all.”
“Despite our long history of being targeted, violence against us in the abortion movement never becomes normal or routine. What we do is not violent. We spend our days cultivating kindness and compassion, helping people of all walks of life, giving them space and comfort as they go through a process that may be difficult. Easing their pain and reducing their suffering is our greatest calling, and gives us great satisfaction and peace,” said Joe Nelson, MD, Whole Woman’s Health of Minnesota. “Even on days like Saturday, with the looming threat of violence hanging over us, we know what we are doing is right. Even on those days, it still feels worth it.”
Among the many disturbing details of the attack was the shooter’s impersonation of a police officer. For many, it raised urgent questions about how systems of authority, whether mimicked or real, can be weaponized. At a time when ICE raids are intensifying across the country, it served as a sobering reminder of how power, whether assumed or official, is too often used to surveil, detain, and intimidate.
“The man responsible for this violence posed as a law enforcement officer—a chilling reminder of how systems of authority can be manipulated to inflict harm,” said Rae Rowe, Co-Founder at the Paper Lantern Project. “This tragedy confirms a lack of trust in police who have wrongfully targeted Black, Brown, and Asian bodies. This moment calls us to remember this history and confront the fact that law enforcement powers are not only impersonated to harm others and evade accountability—these powers are also misused to surveil, detain, abduct, and punish people for who they are, for seeking care, refuge, or simply living authentically.”
A multi-faith contingent of faith leaders and clergy—including Asma Mohammed, Advocacy Director at Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment; Beth Gendler, Executive Director at Jewish Community Action; and Reverend Oby Ballinger, Founder of Prism Organizing Network—also spoke briefly to condemn the violence and call for a moral reckoning with the forces that enabled it.
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