ABORTION FREE NEW MEXICO - News

BREAKING: AFNM SIDEWALK TEAM VIOLENTLY ASSAULTED OUTSIDE SOUTHWESTERN WOMEN’S OPTIONS

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 03:02:54 GMT

“I’VE DECIDED I’M OKAY WITH GOING TO PRISON TODAY”: WOMAN’S REMARKS CAPTURED ON VIDEO BEFORE TWO AFNM TEAM MEMBERS WERE VIOLENTLY ATTACKED

By Bud Shaver,

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- A confrontation outside Southwestern Women’s Options escalated Wednesday when disturbing remarks captured on video lead to threats and physical violence. Two members of Abortion Free New Mexico's (AFNM) sidewalk outreach team were assaulted.

Video footage captures the woman approaching the AFNM team and declaring:

“I’ve decided I’m okay with going to prison today.”

She continued:

“From now on, every chance I get to be here, I’m gonna.”

During the confrontation, she also told the team:

“You guys make me sick. You guys make me sick to my f-ing stomach. You make me so sick.”

And:

“All you guys are doing are wasting your time.”

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WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE

According to AFNM team members, the encounter then escalated beyond angry words.

THREAT FOLLOWED BY PHYSICAL ATTACK

An AFNM volunteer says the woman directly threatened her stating that:

“If you speak to another woman, I will hurt you.”

The sidewalk volunteer continued peacefully conducting outreach offering hope and help to pregnant women.

When another mother arrived at Southwestern Women’s Options, the team member spoke to her as she entered the abortion facility. AFNM witnesses say the woman then carried out her threat, physically attacking the counselor and striking her multiple times.

The initial physical blows were not captured on video, however, four witnesses gave statements to the police after the altercation.

Following that confrontation, the woman left the area.

She later returned.

SHE LEFT — CHANGED CLOTHES — AND RETURNED

According to AFNM, the same woman later returned wearing different clothing and again confronted members of the sidewalk team.

During this second encounter, portions of which were captured on video, AFNM says the woman threw three sodas directly at team members.

The final object thrown was a full can of soda, which AFNM says violently struck another member of the sidewalk team as the woman left the scene in her truck.

By the end of the two encounters, AFNM reports that two separate sidewalk team members had been physically assaulted.

APD CALLED — SUMMONS ISSUED

AFNM’s team immediately contacted the Albuquerque Police Department.

According to information provided to AFNM following the police response, APD issued a summons in connection with the incident involving two alleged counts of assault and battery.

AFNM is preserving available video footage and other evidence related to the incident and intends to cooperate fully with law enforcement.

“Our team was on the sidewalk ministering to women in crisis, offering compassion, help and hope, and trying to save babies from the violence of abortion—and were violently attacked for doing so.”

Tara Shaver of Abortion Free New Mexico continued:

“This woman threatened one of our team members with physical violence if she spoke to a woman seeking to end the life of her baby. Our volunteer continued peacefully offering help, and she was attacked. Then this woman left, changed clothes, came back, and another member of our team was struck. You do not get to use violence to silence people because you disagree with their message. We will not be intimidated, and we will not abandon women walking into these abortion centers.”

BUD SHAVER: “WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED INTO SILENCE”

AFNM Executive Director Bud Shaver said:

“Our team was attacked for being Christians peacefully exercising our free speech and ministering to women in crisis. The sidewalk will not be surrendered to threats, intimidation or violence. We have every right to peacefully stand on a public sidewalk, proclaim the Gospel, speak the truth about abortion and offer women real alternatives. We will not be intimidated into silence. We will continue showing up, we will continue speaking, and we will continue fighting to save lives.”

WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED

AFNM maintains a regular sidewalk presence outside Albuquerque abortion facilities, where trained volunteers offer women information, pregnancy resources, practical assistance, prayer and alternatives to abortion.

This attack will not stop that work.

WE WILL SHOW UP. 
WE WILL PRAY. 
WE WILL SPEAK. 
WE WILL OFFER HELP. 
WE WILL STAND FOR WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN.

“No threat, no intimidation and no act of violence will change why we’re there,” Tara Shaver said. “Women deserve to know that abortion is not their only option and that there are people willing to walk alongside them when they choose life.”

AFNM encourages anyone confronted with threats or violence during peaceful outreach to contact law enforcement rather than to physically retaliate.

ABOUT ABORTION FREE NEW MEXICO

Abortion Free New Mexico works to expose the abortion industry, advocate for accountability, and provide practical assistance and alternatives to women considering abortion. AFNM’s sidewalk teams maintain a regular presence outside abortion facilities in Albuquerque.

BREAKING: AFNM CONFIRMS NEW PLANNED PARENTHOOD ABORTION CENTER ALONGSIDE TEEN’MPOWER YOUTH PROGRAM

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Planned Parenthood’s TEEN’MPower youth program is operating in Suite E at 136 Washington St SE; now a new abortion center is being prepared in Suite A, where AFNM was told medication abortions will be provided

By Bud Shaver,

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Abortion Free New Mexico (AFNM) has confirmed that Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (PPRM) is preparing to open a new abortion center at 136 Washington St SE, Suite A, in Albuquerque, at the same property where Planned Parenthood’s TEEN’MPower youth program is currently operating.

Planned Parenthood signage is installed at the Washington St. location and a federal provider registration classifies the location as an Ambulatory Family Planning Facility. A TEEN’MPower representative also told AFNM’s Tara Shaver on a phone call that the new facility would provide at least medication abortions—the abortion pill.

Yet despite Planned Parenthood recruitment materials describing the new Albuquerque facility as a “brand-new health center opening soon,” the doors remain closed.

AFNM obtained photographic documentation of the Planned Parenthood signage below.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD HAS OPERATED TEEN’MPOWER THERE FOR YEARS

Before this new abortion center appeared, Planned Parenthood was already established at Washington Street through its TEEN’MPOWER youth program, currently operating in Suite E.

TEEN’MPOWER’s Facebook page describes the program as providing “non-traditional HIV prevention and education” for LGBTQIA youth ages 13–18. Its social media promotes programming including “Vocal Transition Services” and “Queer Camps,” while a Planned Parenthood “Back to School” checklist encourages young people to locate their nearest Planned Parenthood health center, keep condoms in their bags, “practice enthusiastic consent,” locate mental-health resources on campus, join a local Planned Parenthood Generation Action chapter and download Planned Parenthood Direct for telehealth access.

(Screenshot from the TEEN’MPower Albuquerque Facebook page showing a Planned Parenthood “Back to School” post shared by the youth program on August 19, 2026.)

The program appears designed to lure young people into greater participation through free food, games, activities and incentives. Planned Parenthood’s website describes TEEN’MPOWER as a program for “LGBTQ+ youth and allies,” with discussions about being LGBTQ+ in school, allies, “challenging gender roles and expectations,” safer sex, HIV prevention and healthy relationships. AFNM was told directly that participating youth would receive $20 gift cards, including Roblox gift cards.

Tara Shaver of Abortion Free New Mexico contacted TEEN’MPOWER directly:

“I called TEEN’MPOWER directly. Their representative told me youth would receive $20 gift cards, including Roblox gift cards, for participating—and that the new Planned Parenthood location would provide medication abortions. The fact that Planned Parenthood is targeting young people with this perverse agenda is deeply disturbing,” stated Tara Shaver.

SAME ADDRESS. NOW A NEW ABORTION CENTER.

While TEEN’MPower operates in Suite E targeting teenagers, Planned Parenthood is preparing to provide abortion services in Suite A at the same property.

SUITE A NEW PLANNED PARENTHOOD ABORTION CENTER

Federal classification: Ambulatory Family Planning Facility
Not yet open

SUITE E PLANNED PARENTHOOD TEEN’MPOWER

Youth programming
Currently operating

WHO OWNS 136 WASHINGTON STREET?

Public property records identify Washington Square, L.L.C. as the owner of the property at 136 Washington St SE.

New Mexico Secretary of State corporate records reviewed by AFNM show that longtime Albuquerque real-estate attorney Gordon L. Skarsgard organized Washington Square, L.L.C. in 2010 and currently serves as its registered agent.

Skarsgard has practiced law in New Mexico for more than five decades, with a practice focused on real estate, leasing and landlord-tenant matters. Other public records identify him in managing roles involving New Mexico real-estate development entities.

WHY IS THE NEW ABORTION CENTER STILL CLOSED?

Despite Planned Parenthood advertising a “brand-new health center opening soon,” Washington Street remains closed.

Yet Planned Parenthood has also been recruiting staff for the Washington Street operation, including a Health Center Manager and an Advanced Practice Nurse (NP/CNM). The NP/CNM position offers a $6,000 sign-on bonus, and the recruitment posting states that the clinician would initially work at another Albuquerque Planned Parenthood location before transitioning to the new site “when it opens.”

The posting also identifies medication abortion among the services provided.

That makes staffing one possible factor in the delay, although AFNM has not established the cause. Financial pressures, continued consolidation, licensing or other operational preparations could also be factors.

The timing comes amid significant changes in Albuquerque. AFNM previously documented Planned Parenthood’s Northeast Heights facility reopening, resuming abortion services and then permanently closing only months later, with services transferred to Eubank. AFNM also documented Alamo Women’s Clinic closing its Montgomery location and consolidating with Southwestern Women’s Options.

AFNM will continue monitoring 136 Washington St SE, the status of the new Planned Parenthood abortion center and the abortion industry’s changing footprint throughout Albuquerque and New Mexico.

“Follow the address. Follow the records. Follow the truth. In one suite, Planned Parenthood is preparing a new abortion center. In another, it is incentivizing youth participation through TEEN’MPower. The last thing we need in New Mexico is another abortion center.

— Bud Shaver, Executive Director, Abortion Free New Mexico

About Abortion Free New Mexico

Abortion Free New Mexico works to expose the abortion industry, provide practical support to women and families, and build a culture that protects human life throughout New Mexico.

AFTER ETHICS COMPLAINT, SOS CANDIDATE ASKIN’S CAMPAIGN AMENDS REPORT TO DISCLOSE $2,291.44

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:42:44 GMT

Planned Parenthood connections run through the campaign and New Mexico’s accountability system

By Bud Shaver,

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Seven days after an Abortion Free New Mexico complaint was referred to the New Mexico Secretary of State, Amanda López Askin’s campaign amended its Third Primary campaign-finance report to disclose $2,291.44 in total in-kind contributions.

AFNM filed its complaint with the New Mexico State Ethics Commission, documenting campaign-finance disclosure failures involving Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico.

On July 15, the Ethics Commission referred the Campaign Reporting Act claims to the Secretary of State for voluntary-compliance review.

Seven days later, on July 22, López Askin’s campaign submitted an amended Third Primary Report reporting $2,291.44 in total in-kind contributions.

On September 3, the Secretary of State’s Office contacted López Askin’s campaign requesting a response to AFNM’s complaint. According to the SOS letter, the campaign responded that it had already voluntarily complied through its July 22 amended filing.

On September 4, SOS reviewed the amended report and certified voluntary compliance.

DOCUMENT: New Mexico Secretary of State — Certification of Voluntary Compliance, SEC Case No. 2026-036 (Sept. 4, 2026)

FOLLOW THE TIMELINE

July 15: Ethics Commission refers Abortion Free New Mexico (AFNM) complaint to SOS.
July 22: López Askin campaign files amended report reporting $2,291.44 in total in-kind contributions.
September 3: SOS contacts campaign requesting a response to AFNM’s complaint.
September 4: SOS certifies voluntary compliance.

FOLLOW THE CONNECTIONS

AFNM filed its complaint with the State Ethics Commission seeking independent accountability. Under New Mexico law, the Campaign Reporting Act claims were subsequently referred to the Secretary of State for voluntary-compliance review.

That process reveals a noteworthy chain of documented connections.

The Secretary of State’s Office is headed by Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who publicly endorsed López Askin to succeed her as Secretary of State—and Toulouse Oliver herself has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico.

The State Ethics Commission is led by Executive Director Jeremy Farris. Farris was married to Dr. Lisa Hofler, Chair of UNM’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and former medical director of the UNM Center for Reproductive Health. Hofler's divorce of Farris was finalized on July 6, 2026. UNM describes Hofler as

“a passionate advocate for reproductive rights”

Her professional record also includes a direct Planned Parenthood connection: UNM Regents materials list Hofler as a clinician for Planned Parenthood–Southeast, Inc. from 2014 to 2016. UNM today also states that it

“maintains clinical rotation partnerships with local Planned Parenthood health centers,”

while its Complex Family Planning Fellowship page states that

“Fellow training also occurs at the Albuquerque Planned Parenthood Health Center.”

Those documented relationships intersect with the subject of AFNM’s complaint: alleged campaign-finance disclosure failures involving Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico.

Abortion Free New Mexico, Executive Director, Bud Shaver said:

“We filed our complaint with the State Ethics Commission seeking independent accountability. Come to find out, the Commission is led by Jeremy Farris, whose ex-wife is a former Planned Parenthood clinician.

“The complaint was referred to the Secretary of State’s Office, headed by Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who endorsed López Askin to succeed her—and both were endorsed by Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico.

“Complaint filed. Report amended. Compliance certified. These documented connections show why New Mexicans deserve transparency and truly independent oversight.”

The complaint is documented. The referral is documented. The amended filing is documented. The Planned Parenthood endorsements are documented. The audit findings are documented. And the SOS certification of voluntary compliance is documented.

FOLLOW THE CONNECTIONS. FOLLOW THE RECORD. VERIFY THE FACTS.

THE ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTION

This latest development follows a recent Abortion Free New Mexico investigation into the 2026 State Auditor-commissioned special audit of Doña Ana County, where Amanda López Askin currently serves as County Clerk.

The audit produced 42 significant findings countywide and a stark warning of a

“sustained and widening breakdown in accountability, coordination, and organizational structure.”

Records maintained by the Clerk’s Office were among those examined, with auditors identifying missing referenced documents, incomplete supporting documentation, duplicate ordinances and materials that could not be located.

The audit warned that deficiencies could “reduce transparency and accessibility” of official legislative records.

Read AFNM’s investigation into the audit⁠

López Askin is now seeking to move from County Clerk to New Mexico Secretary of State—the office responsible for statewide election administration and campaign-finance reporting.

That record takes on additional significance because Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico endorsed López Askin and has also endorsed sitting Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who publicly endorsed López Askin to succeed her.

Planned Parenthood’s political involvement is part of a broader electoral strategy to support candidates aligned with its reproductive-rights agenda. For AFNM, that makes the campaign-finance paper trail particularly important.

AFNM’s complaint alleged that $2,291.44 in Planned Parenthood in-kind support reported by PPVNM had not been disclosed by López Askin’s campaign. Seven days after the complaint was referred to SOS, the campaign amended its report to disclose $2,291.44 in total in-kind contributions. SOS subsequently certified voluntary compliance.

Tara Shaver of Abortion Free New Mexico concluded:

“That’s New Mexico for you: accountability questions arise, records get amended, and the political machine keeps moving forward. Then people wonder why nothing changes. New Mexicans deserve accountability before someone gets promoted.”