Thursday, September 4, 2008
Signs posted around Strong Hall lawn on Wednesday morning warned oncoming students and faculty members that graphic images were ahead. From at least 12 feet away the images could be viewed from any area around Strong Hall. Students stopped and stared.
The display, stretching about two stories high, displayed dozens of images of aborted fetuses. Graphic, educational and, as some students said, “unnecessary,” the display was scheduled to be on the lawn until 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today.
Video
Maureen Ball, a volunteer with the organization Justice For All, listens to the arguments of Tyler Danaver, Wichita sophomre, and Stephanie Ball, Overland Park junior, Wednesday afternoon. The group, based in Wichita, erected signs depicting fetuses in various stages of development, as well as aborted fetuses, in front of Strong Hall. Representatives said they would stay on campus until 3:30 p.m. today.
Justice For All, based out of Wichita, organized the display. Tammy Cook, director of field operations for the organization, said the purpose of the display was to educate college students.
“Our goal is to help people fully understand what the word ‘abortion’ really means,” Cook said. “The word has lost its meaning in this country, and we want to put a face with a choice.”
The display, Cook said, took about two hours to set up. She said Students For Life, a group of anti-abortion college students, invited Justice For All to the University. The organization has been traveling to various college campuses across the United States for 10 years.
“We regret to use such graphic photos,” Cook said. “But injustice is very rarely visually appealing.”
Cook said that if any student had a suggestion for a way to attract students’ attention differently, Justice For All would be open to hear it.
Amy Green, Eudora sophomore, sat watching the display from across the street from Strong Hall under the roof because of the rain and cold.
Green, who identifies as anti-abortion, said that she didn’t think the images were necessary and that people who wanted to learn about abortion could look it up on their own.
“I think the written word is a very powerful tool to be utilized,” Green said.
She added that she was glad the group presented both sides of the abortion issue and that it wasn’t taking a religious standpoint.
“The quickest way to shut someone out is to proclaim their religion,” Green said.
Kelly Gaynor, Chicago junior, said she thought the display was excessive.
“I think it’s one thing to protest in a circle, but to put graphics up for everyone to see is definitely offensive,” Gaynor said.
Gaynor, who supports abortion rights, also said the information provided by the group was interesting but that it was nothing she didn’t learn in biology class.
Mike Botvinik, Chicago junior, spent part of his afternoon at Wescoe Beach expressing his disgust.
“I think that people shouldn’t shove their beliefs in other people’s faces,” Botvinik said.
Botvinik supports abortion rights.
Cook said the group didn’t come to campus for political reasons, but for educational reasons only.
“We think education is a necessary component to eventually change the public policy,” Cook said.
Justice For All has sued three universities in the past — the University of Houston, University of Texas and the University of Colorado-Boulder — for content discrimination. These universities, Cook said, did not allow Justice For All to set up its display in noticeable places or include their Web site’s address on posters and brochures. Justice For All won all of the cases.
— — Edited by Becka Cremer
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Comments
Defining 'abortion'
Perhaps this group should also show pictures of women who have been raped and beaten, because this group (and McCain/Palin) would force that women who was brutalized to carry the fetus to term.
Perhaps this group should show pictures of women who have undergone excruciating pregnancies and have died or become horribly disfigured as a result.
Perhaps this group should show pictures of the grossly disfigured children that are born and suffer inhumane pain for a few short hours on this earth, when they have no choice but to go through a horrible, painful death.
These people need to show the whole picture. Even though they aren't touting this as a religious charade, don't kid yourself. That's all it is. Either that, or this group is horribly ignorant of the big picture.
Defining 'abortion'
I agree we need to educate about what abortion really is. We will not reject abortion until we see abortion. I have read and heard testimony in court of men who perform abortion. It makes it so real that you can not deny it is the murder of a human being. Please check out www.priestforlife.org Abortion is not a "proceedure". Abortion tears off the arms and legs of a human being in the womb.
Defining 'abortion'
why doesn't someone put up a billboard thing like what truebluehawk is saying like the "justice for all" did? two sides of the story right? by the way, "justice for all"? yea right...if you stand for THEIR justice...
Defining 'abortion'
I found it interesting that one person said was quoted in the article, "She didn’t think the images were necessary and that people who wanted to learn about abortion could look it up on their own." Well, considering that a great majority of people on campus probably don't want to take the time to look it up, is due to the fact that they already were decided on where they stood in this battle that may never win.
I'm glad people can voice their opinions around here. It's not always easy to listen, because you may be against the opposing voice. KU has it's occasional preachers (both the serious and crazy ones), has Gay Pride Week, and now a visual display on educating a sexually active campus.
As a strong conservative, I don't always agree with the things that happen on campus, but I also know that these people have the right to speak their minds. Now it's up to us, as a campus, to choose how to react.
Words have only led to debates on campus, while these visuals have led to debates, education, and possibly life changing decisions.
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