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Reaction Outside of Tiller's Clinic

by Kim Hynes (WICHITA, Kan.)

People on both sides of the abortion issue went to Dr. George Tiller's clinic Sunday afternoon. They were all there for the same reason, to pray for Tiller and his family.

"I just think this is a very sad thing that has happened today. Someone has lost their husband and their father. And he's helped so many people," said Rose Ransom.

Ransom knew Tiller and says he was a nice man. When she heard he was shot while attending church, she went to his clinic to leave flowers. "If you didn't agree with what he did, then that was your own opinion. But I don't believe he should have been killed for doing what he thought was right," she said.

Teresa White feels the same way. She didn't agree with Tiller but says murder isn't the answer. "It's upsetting. You can't take another life. I've been out here praying before for the unborn children. I'm out here today to pray for Dr. George Tiller," she said.

A Wichita pastor, Leigh Carlson-Cox also went to the clinic to pray. "I want the whole community to know that this is not an act perpetrated by all Christians. This is just an act of one simple crazy person, who went too far in their belief system, in their vigilantism," she said.

Carlson-Cox says Tiller had every right to perform abortions. She says she always admired that he stood his ground, while being constantly targeted. "He felt what he was doing was right. He had the courage and conviction to keep doing it," she said. She says it's sad that it ultimately cost him his life.