planned_parenthoodPlanned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (PPMNS) has been offered the protection of the U.S. Marshals Service in the wake of the murder of Dr. George Tiller. Tiller, a Kansas physician whose clinic performed later term abortions was gunned down in his church.

PPMNS has accepted the help of the U.S. Marshals. The group provides reproductive health services in Minnesota and the Dakotas. It is the only provider of abortion services in South Dakota.

“In the wake of the tragic murder of Dr. George Tiller, PPMNS has accepted an offer to supplement our present security with support from the U.S. Marshals Service,” Sarah Stoesz, president of PPMNS told the Washington Post. “It is critically important that we ensure the safety of our doctors, staff and patients.”