Jeff Fortenberry, who has spoken out against ‘the abortion industry’, condemned the ‘tactics’ that resulted in a glitter-filled envelope causing a mess in his office

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Someone opposed to restrictions on abortion sent a Nebraska congressman an envelope full of glitter, and it went everywhere.

A hot pink envelope containing glitter with a fake return address was sent to Congressman Jeff Fortenberry’s Lincoln office this week. The messy prank is known as “glitter-bombing” – although there’s no threat of an explosion or physical danger as with a real bomb.

“Congrats!” read a note on “Glitter Bombs for Choice” letterhead included with the glitter. “You’ve earned this for trying to deny women their right to choice. Mind your own uterus. Love, GBFC.”

Revenge is a dish best served glittery: company offering to glitter bomb your enemies sells out Read more

Fortenberry released a statement condemning the “tactics”.

“Anyone is free to disagree with me, but to resort to these tactics in a heightened threat environment is reckless and a waste of precious law enforcement resources,” the statement said.

A Fortenberry spokeswoman, Jennifer Allen, told the Guardian the glitter-bombing was a first.

“We believe that this is the first one in the state of Nebraska, and the first time one has been sent to a member of Congress,” Allen said.

Fortenberry’s office said the Capitol police, the Lincoln, Nebraska, police department, the US postal inspector, and the FBI had been notified of the incident, which was first reported by local outlets including WOWT news.

A Republican, Fortenberry has been a congressman for 10 years. He has spoken out against “the abortion industry” and voted, as did 250 other members of the House of Representatives, to ban subsidies for health insurance that could be used to cover abortion in case of a threat to the mother’s health.

Asked why Fortenberry had been singled out, Allen said, “We have no idea.”

The envelope containing the glitter bore a fake name and the return address of offices for the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln. It was postmarked in Omaha, Lincoln’s neighbor to the east. Lincoln is the state capital.

Glitter-bombing is the subject of an online business of unknown dimensions. Web sites such as shipyourenemiesglitter.com charge $9.99 per envelope.

“Glitter as a Service: want to piss off someone you dislike for only $9.99?” the site advertises. “Let us send them some stupid fucking glitter that is guaranteed to go everywhere.”