(News) Bombing of Toronto abortion clinic raises stakes in bitter debate

Gordon Bagley

Canadian Medical Association Journal, CMAJ
Canadian Medical Association Journal

Extract
The abortion clinic that Dr. Henry Morgentaler operated on Harbord Street in Toronto was an electronic fortress bristling with hidden cameras, burglary shock sensors and motion detectors, but the security measures were of little use last May 18. At about 3:23 on that Monday morning, a security camera filmed two shadowy characters approaching the clinic’s back door. The visitors, heavily disguised, used a drill to bore through the door lock. They poured gasoline into the clinic, let it aerosolize, and then used a Roman candle to ignite the fumes. In the resulting explosion the entire front wall of the two-storey structure shuddered, buckling building supports and flinging glass, bricks and other debris into the street. Fortunately, no one was injured – the street was deserted. Six months later, Toronto police seem no closer to finding the terrorists. . . . [lengthy article].


Bagley G. Bombing of Toronto abortion clinic raises stakes in bitter debate. Can Med Assoc J. 1992;147(10):1528-1533.