The Clarion Online - February 21, 2007

Graphic displays cause campus stir
by Brian Filkins

A pro-life activism organization visited campus Feb. 12, displaying larger-than-life graphic photos of aborted fetuses. The displays garnered a variety of responses among the student body.

"The point of the signs is to evoke a reaction," said Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust group member Joey Cox.

The displays consisted of photographs of aborted fetuses, detailed information on various types of abortion procedures and explanations of federal laws governing abortion in the United States.

One of the displays, the centerpiece of which was a photograph of a dismembered human fetus, was placed directly in front of the Learning Resource Center.

The second display, which was set up adjacent to the Campus Center, depicted the bloody remains of an aborted fetus' head, which was held up in the frame by a pair of forceps.

"We want to show [students] what the true nature of abortion is, uncensored," said the group's leader, Kortney Blythe.

"It's overwhelming," said sophomore Jason Quenun, referring to the graphic depictions. Freshman Eddie Ramirez called the pictures "pretty gross." He and freshman, Carolina Jaramillo, agreed that the graphic images were "nasty."

The group erected the anti-abortion displays at two high-traffic locations on campus and passed out anti-abortion literature to passing students and faculty.

While student reaction to the content of the photographs was unanimously negative, opinions were mixed when it came to evaluating the ability of the display in conveying the group's mission.

"I don't think this is an effective way to get their message across," said Eryn O'Neal, 20, a communications major.

One student who identified himself only as "highly educated" debated for nearly five minutes with Blythe and her colleague, Amanda Lord, as to the group's right to display disturbing photographs to an audience that he said may not be prepared or willing to view them. He questioned the group's right to force their opinion on other people.

"Sometimes there are counter protesters," said Blythe after the student had walked away. "In a way, our campaign is not only for the eradication of abortion but also to exercise the First Amendment."

Ramirez and Jarmillo said that they thought the displays were effective. "Pictures like this will stop abortion," Ramirez said. "Stuff like that makes people think twice," Jaramillo added.

Some students were ambivalent toward the displays. They expressed concern for the aborted babies but also suspicion of the motives and tactics used by the Survivors.

"I would never imagine doing that to my own baby," freshman Destiny Rivera said. "But you have to question if these pictures are real, [if they] are they [digitally enhanced]."

Rivera summed up the feelings of several passer-bys.

"It's really hard because most people are not for it or against it," she said. "The reality is that we do have to educate everyone as much as possible so that everyone can have the facts and make informed decisions."