Pro-life group ignites debate on campus with graphic images

Justice for All league brings traveling exhibit to Hellems Lawn this week

It is not surprising to see large groups of CU students gathering in Norlin quad. However, it is not every day that disturbing photographic images of aborted fetuses are on campus.

From April 16 until Saturday, members of the Justice For All organization are on campus to a poignant stance on anti-abortion issues, which has caused a lot of reaction from CU students.

From the “free speech board” to stands encouraging students to give their opinion on whether they think graphic images in public should be allowed, the JFA is here to answer questions and spark debate.

“I support free speech, but I think it’s rude to have such graphic pictures on campus,” said Shannon Cleary, a New Vista High School senior currently in CU’s concurrent enrollment program. “However, to be pro-choice means that women should be able to choose for themselves, and that means that there should be respect on both sides of the argument, so that women can choose the best choice for themselves.”

The JFA is a non-religious group promoting abstinence rather than safe sex as an alternative to abortion. Tammy Cook is the JFA director of field operations.

“We struggled with the concept of promoting safe sex. However, the only form of birth control that we support that does not endanger innocent babies are condoms,” Cook said. “Condoms are not foolproof to prevent pregnancy or disease, and it would be difficult to promote something that could potentially kill someone if they ended up with a deadly STD if the condom failed.”

According to the JFA Web site, its mission is to “create debate, change hearts and save lives,” as well as “end the ignorance and call our society to higher ideals.”

Cook said the pictures used in the demonstration are real and can be verified through any development book on embryology.

“We use such graphic images because injustice must be seen before it is understood,” Cook said. “We are a visual society, and therefore we learn visually. A picture is worth more than words to show the extent of the injustices going on.”

Others seem to completely disagree with the visuals.

“This is a terrible way to get the point (of anti-abortion) across,” said Gregory Hansen, a junior economics major. “I don’t think that these graphic images are swaying people one way or the other. If it is, they haven’t heard both sides of the argument. What about instances of rape? I simply don’t understand why they have to get their point across in this manner.”

Whether students agree or disagree with this presentation, it is undeniable that this event has provoked a lot of debate.

“CU is similar to the responses we get at some campuses,” Cook said. “CU students kept their responses very respectful, and there was a lot of intellectual honesty involved, which was very encouraging.”

Contact Campus Press staff writer Alexandria Bath at alexandria.bath@thecampuspress.com.