An anti-abortion group caused a commotion in Kogan Plaza Monday afternoon, handing out fliers and calling attention to their cause by playing bagpipes. Michelle Rattinger/Assistant Photo Editor
Updated 11:07 p.m.
This post was written by Hatchet Reporter Erica Obersi
A group of nearly 15 male members of an anti-abortion group caused a commotion in Kogan Plaza Monday afternoon, playing bagpipes and handing out fliers to passers-by opposing abortion.
The protest – organized by TFP Student Action, a “network of thousands of students and concerned parents across America, defending traditional moral values on college campuses,” according to the group’s official Web site – drew counter protests from students who opposed the groups anti-abortion message.
Students formed counter protests to the anti-abortion activists. Michelle Rattinger/Assistant Photo Editor
“Abortion is a key issue for our country that destroys the integrity of not just women, but the whole family and the stability of society,” said John Ritchie, a spokesperson for TFP Student Action. The group of protesters were not GW students.
While some students accepted the group’s fliers and walked by without so much as a glance, others like freshman Sara Ketabi said she was appalled by the bagpipes outside her residence hall, and called the group of men, “the real problem in this country.”
Ketabi and a friend confronted the group, questioning the logic of their arguments.
“They said they’re for the death penalty but against the murder [of unborn children],” Ketabi said.
Some students rushed to make signs to counter the protest.
Michelle Rattinger/Assistant Photo Editor
Sophomore Anna Frechette was among the growing number of counter protesters at the event.
“It is ultimately a woman’s decision to do what she wants with her body. This group of men has no say in the matter,” said Frechette, who felt it was disrespectful that this event was taking place on International Women’s Day – a day during women’s history month where women around the world celebrate the achievements made for equal rights over the years.
Anissa Najm, a freshman, said that men had no place in protesting a woman’s option.
“I think it’s ridiculous that a bunch of men are standing around, acting as if they have the right to tell women what to do with their bodies when they will never have a uterus, never get pregnant, or ever have to deal with a baby resulting from a rape,” Najm said.
Although Richie agreed that rape and incest are unfortunate crimes that in certain cases lead to pregnancy, he said that abortion was not the solution to the problem.
“There are people who were born as a result of an unfortunate situation who have resulted into very successful people,” Ritchie said. “Abortion should never be the option.”
He added that he felt the day’s protest was a success.
“Student response has been excellent so far,” Ritchie said. “There were people who disagreed with our stance, but we’re not afraid to discuss the issue.”
- Michelle Rattinger contributed to this report
An earlier version of this story disclosed information that was not for publication. The information has been removed, and comment divulging the information has been deleted.
I can’t understand the point that Miss Katabi was trying to make about people who support the execution of murderers, but condemn the execution of unborn children. I happen to think that both those positions can be held by the same person. In fact these two policies have coexisted in societies for millennia.
Considering that roughly half the victims of abortion are men, why would Anissa deny men an opinion on the issue?
As for the rape argument, abortion simply gives the death penalty to the wrong guy.
It really takes a lot of courage to go on campus against abortion. These people are to be admired! Bravo!
Come back to campus more often!
Well, we can all certainly tell which side of the debate the author of this article was on!
This should be called, “Peaceful Prolife witnessing with a flare (bagpipes) until pro abortion (er… choice?) counter-protest started, causing commotion.”
Want facts on men vs. women re abortion?
“As mothers women are frequently pressured by men to abort and the babies are invariably aborted by men (there are very, very few female abortionists). Information about post-abortion trauma and links to cancer is generally disguised or hidden by an overwhelmingly male pharmaceutical and medical establishment. Preborn women are aborted disproportionately to males in developing countries…” etc. etc. read up on the facts before you attack this examplary men who are standing up for women – both born and unborn!
Coincidentally, none of these red cape wearing fascists will ever need to consider an abortion as the chances of them being chosen to be reproduced with are slim to none.
M Drake, men can certainly hold an opinion on the issue, but to not have a single female member present speaks volumes.
As a female, I take issue with a group of men trying to decide what I should or shouldn’t do with my body and my reproductive system.
As a guy who is pro-life (across the board, not just anti-abortion), even I was frustrated by the demonstration. These people are hurting the pro-life movement by knowingly pissing off everyone who disagrees with them. There are less offensive and obnoxious ways of protesting abortion laws. For starters, they should nix the religious element. right there, you turn off 90% of GW’s campus. There are plenty of effective pro-life arguments from a biological and ethical standpoint — not just a religious one.
I am a woman, therefore according your statement it is a woman who ultimately has a say about abortion. Thus, I as woman and mother say that killing abortion is disgraceful and monstrous. where is woman’s decision not to have sex? Consequences I say. We must take responsability for our decision and live our consequences whichever there is. Rape, Incest, I say Jesus suffered far more pain and injustice and he still died for us. For the ones who do not believe in Jesus, then look for answers in your beliefs, I am sure if has God it will be there.
JB has it right… regardless of your take on the issue (I am pro-choice across the board), remove religion from the debate and then you can have an EDUCATED argument.
Fatima, your invocation of Jesus and your lack of regard for the seriousness of rape are disturbing. There are, as suggested plenty of intelligent arguments against abortion (practical, economical, moral) but your unintelligent brain-fart is exactly the kind of comments leftist abortion-loving liberals like myself feed off of and use to belittle those who are pro-life/anti-abortion. Thank you for your material.
The abortion debate aside, it’s ridiculous that they were allowed to play bagpipes in Kogan Plaza, next to the library and some residence halls, during midterms. I think it’s fair to expect that all students have the right to quiet study spaces in which to pursue their educations.
“P” complains about the bagpipe music. But I don’t hear him complain or even mention the loud rap music that often can be heard disrupting the solitude on campus.
To “S” — Why do you discriminate against religion? You cannot discuss morals (abortion) without religion. Declaring that religion is off-limits smacks of bigotry.
to Christine: It would be irrelevant for me to comment about disruptive rap music on this article. You are missing my point.
The university forbids student groups from holding events with amplified sound in University Yard during law school finals because the law library and classrooms are nearby. By the same logic, political and ideological demonstrations from outside groups should be held to the same standard of respect for the primary mission of the university–education.
The bagpipes were not using amplified sound.
The contradictions of the ideals of pro-choice and pro-abortion sympathizers are apalling. They say they believe in true freedom, liberty, equality for all. Yet when faced with the reality that they have denied, or tried to hide, their mask of calmness comes off and they start throwing things, ripping up fliers, insulting and cursing. The consciences of those who have had abortions or even are in favor of it are plagued with guilt and the only way for them it seems, to try to get rid of it, is to scream and insult. So much for the tolerance they preach. BRAVO to the men that stand up for the innocent lives of the unborn!
To P: U say that the students are forbidden to blare loud music during exams and finals. What I find funny is that people complained about bagpipe music, yet in the background from a nearby snack shop/tent, blaring rock/pop music was being blasted from an ipod speaker system. Hmmm..it went on for the duration of the anti-abortion campaign (2 hours) must be the college administration just didnt hear it or forgot their hearing aids or something idk….
Ketabi concludes there is a moral equivalence between an innocent baby in the womb and a convicted murderer tried by a jury of his/her peers and whose case has been reviewed before sentencing. Would that the unborn baby had such justice!
Frechette thinks the fetus is part of the woman’s body; it is not. The fetus has it’s own unique DNA separate and distinct from the mother. Look in any anatomy book, and you will not find a fetus as part of the woman’s body.
Najm’s comment makes about as much sense as saying men have no place in finding a cure for breast cancer, because they have no breasts.
Many say the fetus is not a person because it can’t think and have a conversation with you; it is not a rational being. Neither is a sleeping adult. But if you wait long enough, usually 8 hours, the sleeping adult will awake and you have your rational being back. Same with the fetus, if you wait long enough, you’ll have your rational being. the only difference is the time needed. Personhood is a continuum that begins at conception.
I liked very much the video on their website. TFP Student Action ORG.
Cheers!
http://www.tfpstudentaction.org
To Anissa Najm: It isn’t the men who are telling women what they can or cannot do with their body. They are merely educating students what GOD wants them to do with their body!
To “S”: Are you aware of what our country is founded on? To remove God from a “life” issue would be to remove one of the founding principles of this country. We might as well re-write the whole declaration of independence then: http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/
Here are some points to consider in the Bible:
- Did not John the Baptist leap in his mother’s womb when the Virgin Mary (when she was pregnant with Jesus Christ) visited Elizabeth?
- “Before I formed you in the womb, I (God) knew you.”
Knowing these points, who are we to take the life on an unborn individual who has a soul given by God?