Serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis. © James Conner.
Was a 4 March 2014 break-in at All Families Healthcare, a Kalispell clinic that performs abortions, an act of terrorism — or a just an incident of vandalism and perhaps attempted burglary? A 24-year-old Columbia Falls man, arrested Tuesday evening when caught red-handed robbing a store on Main Street in Kalispell, is, reports the Flathead Beacon, also the prime suspect in the break-in at the clinic — but before that was known, many had concluded that the break-in was a political act, an act of terrorism committed by an opponent of abortion.
Twenty years ago, in a different location, the clinic was shut for five months after being fire-bombed by an anti-abortion arsonist who later served time in prison. So it’s understandable that the initial conclusion of some was that Tuesday’s incident was another act of political violence. And, especially understandable given the annual 40 Days for Life picketing of the clinic was scheduled to begin today.
But I don’t think the vandalism was terrorism, or intended to be a political statement against abortion. I think it’s far more likely that the intruder was looking for narcotics and things he could fence, failed to crack open the medicine safe, and trashed the premises out of frustration. It’s also possible, but highly improbable, that the vandalism was a red herring, that the motive for the break-in was not stealing drugs and such, but obtaining the names of patients, staff, and vendors. My opinion at this point? It’s most likely an unremarkable attempted drug heist.
The 40 days for Life picketing will begin next week. It’s been peaceful in the past, and I expect it will be peaceful this year. As is often the case, I’ll be there to photograph it. In the meantime, here are a few images from years past.
