Recent findings from the University of Chicago’s Project on Security and Threats reveal an alarming trend: more Americans now support using violence to reinstate federal abortion rights. In just six months, that number grew from 8% to 12%.
The increase is especially noticeable among Democrats. Back in January, only 8% of them agreed with using force to protect abortion rights. By June, that number had doubled to 16%. Independents saw a rise too, going from 11% to 14% over the same period. Meanwhile, the Republican stance remained consistent, with 6% in favor of such methods.
This surge in support for violent measures comes in the wake of increased pro-abortion attacks targeting places like Catholic churches and pregnancy resource centers. The most recent assault took place at a pregnancy center in Las Vegas on July 24. This unsettling pattern began last May, shortly after a draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court hinted at overturning Roe v. Wade – the landmark 1973 case that recognized abortion as a national right.
This report, dubbed “Dangers to Democracy,” examines American opinions on the use of violence for political causes. Conducted between June 22-26, the study boasts a 95% confidence level and a 2.3% margin of error for its findings on adults aged 18 and above.
To put it in perspective, as of late June 2023, an estimated 31 million U.S. adults advocate violence in the abortion rights debate. This surge, particularly pronounced among Democrats, seems to stem from dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court’s Republican majority.
“The rise we’ve seen over the past six months likely indicates growing frustration with the Supreme Court’s potential stance,” the report states.
