The FBI and its evidence response team has joined Longmont Public Safety in the investigation into the arson of a long time ministry that provides free services related to pregnancy and sexual health. Employees at Life Choices, 20 Mountain View Ave., say an abortion rights group, Jane’s Revenge, were likely responsible for the fire.
Longmont Police responded to Life Choices about 3:17 a.m. Saturday to a reported fire. The building sustained fire and heavy smoke damage and police and fire officials found the front of the building had been vandalized with black paint, a Longmont Public Safety news release states.
The fire is being investigated as arson, the news release states.
Jane’s Revenge has been linked to a wave of attacks across the country on anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers, according to News Nation. Jane’s Revenge spray-painted messages on the facilities including: “If abortions aren’t safe, neither are you.” That same message was spray-painted in black on the front outside wall of Life Choices.
Another message spray-painted on the front entryway to the Life Choices appears to say: “BANS OFF OUR BODIES.”
“I thought we would avoid something like this in Longmont,” said one employee of Life Choices, who asked not to be identified. "But I guess you can’t get away from it.”
Investigators request that those living between Collyer Street and Lashley Street (west and east) and 15th Avenue and 11th Avenue (north and south) check their surveillance video for any activity in the area between 2:45 am and 3:30 am. Area residents and businesses can upload a video to Longmont Police Services at: https://LongmontPD.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/225219
Public Safety also requests that anyone who can assist in identifying the individual(s) responsible please call (303)774-3700 and reference Longmont Police Report #22-5219.
Life Choices has been in Longmont for 37 years and bills itself as a “Christ-center ministry providing education, support, healing and limited medical services for sexual life choices,” according to its website.
Its services include free pregnancy tests and ultrasound, post-abortion support and care, abortion pill information and reversal and information about sex, the website states.
“We provide help to young people, poor people, anybody who needs our help,” the employee said. “I don’t know why anyone would do this.”
Jane’s Revenge reportedly firebombed an anti-abortion pregnancy resource center in Buffalo and allegedly broke windows and doors at a pregnancy center in North Carolina.
The FBI is investigating the attacks mentioned in the News Nation story. At least one anti-abortion clinic officials told the news outlet that Jane’s Revenge may escalate their attacks since Friday’s decision to overturn the landmark federal law that allows abortions, Roe vs. Wade.
