Neal Horsley, an anti-abortion activist notorious for creating the Nuremberg Files, left a controversial legacy that echoes today. The conversation dives into his journey from a hedonistic lifestyle to fervent activism, exploring how he reshaped online discourse around contentious issues. Interviewee Jennifer Boulanger shares her harrowing experience of being targeted by Horsley’s website, shedding light on the chilling realities of online harassment and the ongoing fear faced by abortion providers in the digital age.
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Quick takeaways
The podcast highlights the human stories behind Craigslist ads, showcasing both desperate pleas for legal assistance and creative exchanges like trading a prosthetic leg for a tablet.
It addresses the dark side of online platforms, illustrating how Neil Horsley’s anti-abortion website perpetuated harassment and threats against vulnerable abortion providers like Jennifer Boulanger.
Deep dives
The Struggle for Legal Representation
A man posted an ad seeking legal help after a violent incident in his home left him facing serious charges. He described his distress over being arrested for defending his wife from an attacker who had assaulted her, leading to his own felony charge for choking the assailant. Living on social security as a disabled man, he highlighted the difficulty of affording a lawyer, especially when court-appointed attorneys seemed unreliable. His desperation drove him to Craigslist, where he hoped to find any assistance he could to navigate the legal complexities of his situation.
Unusual Transactions on Craigslist
The podcast shared unique Craigslist experiences, such as an individual who successfully traded a used prosthetic leg for an Android tablet. The trade was facilitated by members of an online community who found the ad intriguing and engaged in the swap, demonstrating how creative solutions can arise from the platform. Another story featured a person who obtained a piano for free through a Craigslist ad, showcasing the wide variety of transactions and unexpected connections facilitated by the site. These examples illustrate how individuals leverage Craigslist for both practical needs and creative exchanges.
The Evolution of Online Threats
The podcast delved into the legacy of anti-abortion activist Neil Horsley and how he used online platforms to target abortion providers with threats. Jennifer Boulanger, an abortion provider, recounted the fear she experienced when her name appeared on Horsley's website, accompanied by graphic imagery and encouragement of violence. This digital harassment created an environment where threats escalated due to increased visibility, with individuals easily able to find personal information about providers. The episode discussed how the internet has amplified such targeting, reflecting a troubling trend in online behavior and the potential consequences faced by those in vulnerable positions.
Craigslist is the internet’s classifieds section, but it’s also one of its more shadowy corners, where the ads are anonymous and ephemeral. So we found ourselves wondering - what would we find if we replied to a couple? This week, we track down the people behind two intriguing ads.
And in the second half of the show - Neal Horsley was an anti-abortion activist who created a website called "The Nuremberg Files," a website that listed the names and addresses of abortion providers around the country. He died last month, but the legacy of his website lives on. We talked to Jennifer Boulanger, a woman who works at a number of abortion clinics, and whose name ended up on Horsley's website in the 90's.
Reporter Bianca Giaever is a filmmaker and radio producer in New York.
http://www.biancagiaever.com/
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