"Today, we opened our doors in Colorado Springs. We didn't back
down. We didn't disappear. We returned, stronger and with more
conviction than ever," the clinic said in a statement.
The clinic was closed on Nov. 27 following a bloody five-hour siege
that police said began when a gunman opened fire with a rifle
outside the building and then stormed inside. He was taken into
custody by law enforcement at the scene.
Portions of the building damaged during the standoff will remain
closed as repairs continue, said Vicki Cowart, president of Planned
Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
The facility was resuming its work providing a range of healthcare
services, including abortion, to the community of Colorado Springs,
Cowart said.
Several abortion opponents gathered near the building on Monday as
it resumed operations, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported.
The gunman accused of carrying out the attack, Robert Lewis Dear,
57, faces 179 felony counts, including charges of first-degree
murder, attempted murder and assault.
In a court appearance in December, he declared himself guilty and a
"warrior for the babies." He has also told a judge he distrusts his
lawyers and wants to represent himself.
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The November rampage was the first deadly attack on a U.S. abortion
provider since 2009, when physician George Tiller was gunned down at
the Kansas church he attended.
(Reporting by Victoria Cavaliere in Los Angeles; Editing by Dan
Grebler)
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