10
Tuesday, August 27, 1991 / University Daily Kansan
Protests and arrests continue in the heat
The Associated Press
WICHTH — An abortion protester was arrested yesterday morning after confronting a pro-choice advocate who unfurled a banner in opposition to anti-abortionists who have been picketing more than 40 days.
Police Lt. M.J. Prince said the man was arrested for disobeying a police officer's order. The arrest came as about 100 people resumed demonstrations outside the Wichita Family Planning Inc. clinic yesterday. About a dozen pre-choice demonstrators were across the street.
Emergency Medical Services personnel treated 21 people for heat-related problems and another three for minor scrapes. The temperature was higher than 95 degrees, and concussions were long, sometimes numbering 70 people.
About 25,000 abortion protesters gathered Sunday in the Wichita State University football stadium to hear speeches by students to protest and become political.
The anti-abortionists carried cardboard tombstones with the names of women who had died after having abortions.
At a rally at a Wichita convention center, Operation Rescue leader Jeff White told protesters that no abortions would be permitted yesterday morning at Wichita clinics.
The three hours of songs and strong, sometimes angry, speeches came only hours after a group of protesters blockade the chita Family School, who close it in response to S. D. trict Judge Patrick F. Kelly's order prohibiting such actions. Police and
federal marshals arrested 61 protesters, two on assault charges.
So far, 2,661 arrests have been made since the national anti-abortion group, Operation Rescue, began demonstrations six weeks ago.
"If there is going to be killing of children, then there's always a chance for rescues," said Gary McCullough, an Operation Rescue representative.
McCullough said Operation Rescue would allow local leaders to take charge of the demonstrations. However, he said, group leaders will remain with the movement on day in support of three leaders jailed by Kelly for contempt of court.
Kelly was a target for speakers and protesters alike during the anti-abortion rally. Robertson said Kelly should be impeached for his judicial rulings.
“There’s a period of transition.” We’re not going to abandon our leaders.
One man wore a clown suit and carried a sign, "This clown for federal judge," in the parking lot of Wichita State University's Cessna Stadium.
"What we are trying to do is protect children from the cruel forces of money-grubbing viruses who mass-murder men of medicine," Robertson said.
Wichita State's assistant athletic director, Casey Scott, provided the crowd estimate. The coalition that sponsored the rally, billed as "Hope for the Heartland," had expected about 15,000 people to show up.
Before the rally Sunday, demonstrators confronted police after Wichita Family Planning Inc. unexpectedly opened.
Two police officers hurt eight shot at in Wichita
The Associated Press
WICHITA — Two Wichita police officers were wounded and six others were shot at in separate incidents during the weekend near northeast Wichita.
Police think two gunmen were involved in the ambush of two officers who were sitting in an unmarked car about 1:40 a.m. Sunday in an alley.
Both suffered leg injuries and were treated and later released from Wessex.
"Whoever was shooting at them, I am certain knew they were police officers," said Lt. Don Deckert, police representative.
Both officers were in uniform. One of the officers was grazed on his knee by shotgun pellets, Deckert said. The other was shot in the leg.
Deckert said the officers were parked in an alley keeping a watch on a notorious gathering place for
youths, many of whom belong to gangs.
The officers could not see their attackers and were not able to return fire. Deckert said. No arrests have been in connection with the shootings.
Ten minutes after the first shots were fired, six officers standing in a parking lot across the street from the scene of the ambush were forced to evacuate the area and least six shots at them from the window of a passing car. No one was hit.
Deckert said the officers were talking with their supervisor when gunfire was directed in the area of the officers from a red car driving north.
Deckert said officers in a police helicopter saw the car, and officers apprehended two men a short time later. The suspects were booked into the police station for questioning regarding the assault on a law enforcement officer and possession of marijuana.
Can you dig it?
Haines and Stowers Construction Co. employees R.E. Carmichael (bottom) and Mickey Evans expose a water main that leads to the KU campus. The old main, near the corner of Sunnyside Avenue and Sunflower Road, will be joined by a new pipe that will be able to carry more pounds of pressure.