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November 5, 2009

Anti-abortion exhibit on display at UCO

Mark Schlachtenhaufen

EDMOND — A Kansas-based anti-abortion group set up its graphic exhibit on the University of Central Oklahoma campus, drawing curious glances from students.

UCO’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry, a registered student organization, presented the exhibit from Justice For All. It was displayed Wednesday and Thursday.

Near the exhibit, a flier explaining it was posted on a “Free Speech Board.” The campus ministry stated that nearly one in four children conceived in a America is being violently killed in the womb.

Comments on the board included: “What would Jesus do?” “Stop torturing the souls of our women” and “Mind your own business.”

The exhibit contained large images of aborted fetuses beneath the questions: Why? What are the health risks? What are the current options for an unplanned pregnancy? It also offered information about what individuals can do.

Adrienne Nobles, UCO spokeswoman, viewed the exhibit before issuing a statement on behalf of the university.

“At Central, we believe a university should be a place that fosters the free exchange of ideas and views for everybody. As part of this exchange, we also support the First Amendment right of each individual to peacefully express themselves.”

Charles Lillard, director of UCO’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry, said UCO administration was very cooperative in allowing the exhibit. Lillard said his ministry invited the Kansas group, which also was here two years ago.

Lillard said while the campus ministry’s main focus is sharing God’s love and telling others about Jesus, he believes defining what constitutes life is the social issue of the current generation of students.

“They need to take a stand,” Lillard said.

Lillard said unborn babies are being killed at an alarming rate in the United States. The situation should serve as a wake-up call, he said.

Justice For All spokeswoman Tammy Cook said among women the 18-24 age group has the highest number of abortions. Cook said many begin college life as pro-life, but end up in the pro-choice camp.

The mission of Justice For All is to create debate, change hearts and save lives, Cook said. This is accomplished through the exhibit placed on college and university campuses, she said. The group also visits churches.

Justice For All contends that opposition to abortion is not tolerated in academics, and valuable information and dialogue about abortion are absent from the typical college student’s experience.

Keri Parks, director of external affairs for Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma, said as a health care provider, Planned Parenthood knows firsthand the power of education to help young adults make responsible decisions about their health with honest and medically accurate information.

Women deserve access to all reproductive health care options, and harassing and intimidating does nothing to prevent unintended pregnancies, Parks said.

“If these individuals were truly worried about women and families they would work with Planned Parenthood to increase access to affordable birth control and comprehensive sex education,” Parks said.

Wendy Gibson, a UCO sophomore, said when she viewed the exhibit Wednesday she wondered what all went into the design process. Gibson said she wondered if it was intended to be purely attention-getting or if it is intended to be art.

Gibson said she thinks many students don’t really consider the issue. She said she appreciated the fact that members of the visiting group were not being aggressive, and that they were engaging in discussions with students.

Wes Bross, a UCO junior, was responding to a survey asking viewers if they thought the exhibit should return next year or not. Bross said he did not think it should return. He said he believes in the need for debate, especially on a college campus, but the exhibit was the wrong approach.



marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108

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