The University of Chicago released its report last month after conducting a survey from June 22-26. Respondents were asked how much they agreed with a variety of statements. Many of these statements had to do with former president Donald Trump and faith in democracy. One, however, dealt with violent support of abortion rights.
12% of respondents agreed with the statement “The use of force is justified to restore the federal right to abortion.” Just six months earlier, only 8% agreed with the same statement.
Among Democrats specifically, support for violence to restore a right to abortion increased from 8% to 16% in the same time period. Support from independents rose from 11% to 14%. Republican support remained at 6% in both surveys.
Violent support of abortion has resulted in attacks against churches, pro-life sidewalk counselors, and pro-life pregnancy centers since the repeal of Roe v. Wade. Just last month, a pro-life sidewalk counselor was brutally beaten outside a Planned Parenthood facility in Washington DC. Several days later, a pro-life pregnancy center in Las Vegas, Nevada was vandalized by the organization known as "Jane's Revenge."
The report is titled “Dangers to Democracy: Tracking Deep Distrust of Democratic Institutions, Conspiracy Beliefs, and Support for Political Violence Among Americans.”
