The Common Ground Network for Life and Choice Manual

In the immediate aftermath of the murder, Buffalo television sought out BCCG leaders on
both sides of the debate. Their broadcast interviews made a strong appeal for dialogue and a
shared rejection of violence against providers. BCCG then co-sponsored a 24 hour vigil in
which both pro-life and pro-choice community members participated.
A longer term strategy. At this point, the challenge was to develop an effective longerterm
response to address the tension and concern prompted by the announced Operation Rescue
campaign. Working together, BCCG and the Network:
• Sought the views of a range of community leaders and common ground activists to
• identify potential actions that would make a difference;
• Held two community dialogues and a separate dialogue for movement activists;
• Convened a meeting between Jewish community leaders and pro-life Christian leaders to
discuss concerns about anti-Semitism raised by the targeting of Dr. Slepian;
• Convened a meeting to move forward common ground efforts on teen pregnancy prevention;
• Trained more local facilitators in the common ground dialogue process;
• Sponsored two public forums covered by local media;
• Made appearances on local media.
A "New Way." At the conclusion of a dialogue workshop in January, 1999, participants
of both pro-choice and pro-life perspectives formed an ad hoc committee to address the
upcoming spring Operation Rescue event. The fruit of their efforts was a public call for a "New
Way" which received intense local media coverage. After being announced at a press
conference in late March, the effort was covered all day on local television, as well as in the
press. It was reported this way in the Buffalo News:
In an effort to "replace the climate of violence and disrespect with mutual understanding
and respect for the dignity and sincerity of those with whom they disagree," the Buffalo
Coalition for Common Ground, The Network of Religious Communities and several
religious leaders banded together -- along with a "key recruit", abortion opponent Rev.
Paul Schenck, one of the organizers for 1992's "Spring of Life" antiabortion protest -- to
sign a "Statement on a New Way" to express their commitment to finding common
ground in the divisive abortion debate.
The New Way puts forward seven common concerns with an invitation to Buffalo citizens to
join the effort. They are:
• Promoting both male and female sexual responsibility
• Fostering respect and equality for women
• Strengthening parent-child communication
• Reducing the number of teen pregnancies
• Improving prenatal and maternal care
• Supporting and funding the choice of adoption