Biden 'strongly condemns' those who set fire to Wisconsin anti-abortion center

President Joe Biden “strongly condemns” the arson attack against a Wisconsin anti-abortion group which included graffiti that read “If abortions aren’t safe then you aren’t either.”

A fire broke out at the headquarters of Wisconsin Family Action in Madison, WI, early Sunday morning. The Madison Police Department said they were investigating the incident as arson.

The saboteurs set a fire outside after a Molotov cocktail thrown through a window but failed to ignite, according to police. They did not say if anyone had been arrested.

The suspected arson comes after the leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion last week that signals Roe v. Wade, a landmark case that helped legalize abortion across the U.S., may be overturned.

"The Madison Police Department understands members of our community are feeling deep emotions due to the recent news involving the United States Supreme Court," Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said in a statement.

Police said there were also reports of vandalism. The exterior of the office was tagged with the phrase “If abortions aren’t safe then you aren’t either,” as well as an anarchy-style letter “A” with the numbers “1312,” which is slang for “All Cops Are Bastards.”

The graffiti message suggests a far-left terrorism motive, particularly by antifa. They’ve already declared pro-life groups & activists to be targets of violence, with some releasing addresses on Twitter that have already been acted upon. pic.twitter.com/Uc2TZk9iU1

— Andy Ngô 🏳️‍🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) May 8, 2022

According to their website, Wisconsin Family Action's mission is "To advance Judeo-Christian principles and values in Wisconsin by strengthening, preserving, and promoting marriage, family, life and liberty."

Biden denounced the attack as an attack on free speech.

"President Biden strongly condemns this attack and political violence of any stripe. The President has made clear throughout his time in public life that Americans have the fundamental right to express themselves under the Constitution, whatever their point of view. But that expression must be peaceful and free of violence, vandalism, or attempts to intimidate," the White House said in a statement that was later tweeted by Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

Wisconsin’s Republican Senator Ron Johnson tweeted that “This attack is abhorrent and should be condemned by all.”

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin’s Democratic Senator, also condemned the attack, saying she supported “a full investigation by law enforcement to hold those responsible for these crimes accountable.”