MLK kin decries comparison to Tiller

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By Julia Duin

The Wichita, Kan., clinic of slain abortion provider Dr. George Tiller will be "permanently closed," his family said Tuesday, as the niece of Martin Luther King Jr. denounced a comparison of Dr. Tiller and King made by another provider of late-term abortions.

"Effective immediately, Women's Health Care Services Inc. will be permanently closed. Notice is being given today to all concerned that the Tiller family is ceasing operation of the clinic and any involvement by family members in any other similar clinic," the family said in a statement, adding that the clinic's medical records will remain secure.

"We are proud of the service and courage shown by our husband and father and know that women's health care needs have been met because of his dedication and service," the Tillers stated.

Dr. LeRoy Carhart of Omaha, Neb., one of several doctors who traveled to Wichita once every three weeks to help at Dr. Tiller's practice, said he would try to continue to provide late-term abortions, though Nebraska law forbids post-viability abortion.

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"I completely understand and sympathize with this decision" by the Tillers, he said. "I am currently exploring every option to be able to continue to make second- and early-third-trimester abortions available."

But Dr. Carhart's comments at a Monday news conference, calling the Tiller death "the equivalent of Martin Luther King being assassinated," and comparisons of pro-life displays to the Ku Klux Klan brought an outraged response from Alveda King, niece of the slain civil rights leader.

"For LeRoy Carhart to mention the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who worked through peaceful and nonviolent means, in the same breath with that of George Tiller, whose work ended peace and brought violence to babies in the womb, is offensive beyond belief," she told The Washington Times on Tuesday. "The analogy is just wrong."

Ms. King, a notable pro-life advocate, has called abortion a "racist, genocidal act." About 36 percent of the abortions in the United States are performed on blacks, who comprise just 17 percent of the live births.

"Dr. Carhart also speaks of hate crimes," Ms. King added, alluding to his denouncing pro-life protesters as hate criminals and comparing cross displays to the Ku Klux Klan. "I would simply ask him: Is it not hateful to regard an entire class of people as nonhuman because they're unwanted?"