Students at Auburn University in Alabama held a counter-demonstration on Wednesday against a pro-life month display on the grounds that it was "misogynistic" ands "shame[d] women's reproductive choices]," Campus Reform reported.
The university's Students for Life (SFL) organization raised awareness about abortion by creating a "Cemetery of the Innocents" featuring 150 white crosses lining the school's Cater lawn in observance of October as Respect Life Month. Each cross represented 20 abortions. Students angered by the display banded together and organized a Lives Lost To Misogyny rally.
The 150 crosses -- not the pro-life argument -- had many students up in arms.
"I think these crosses are misogynistic because they're shaming women for having abortions," fourth-year student Imani Tucker, told The Auburn Plainsman. "We felt that since this happens every year, there's a lot of misinformation and shame associated with a display like this and we wanted to counter that."
October is not only Respect for Life Month, it is also Domestic Violence Awareness and LGBT Pride month as well. Tucker said the anti-misogyny rally was an attempt to bring awareness to the interconnectedness of the movements.
Fourth-year student Sarah Hirschfeldt, member of SFL, told The Auburn Plainsman she doesn't exactly agree with the views of the anti-misogyny protestors, but "hopes that the groups can come together in promoting awareness about the dignity of life."
"We're here representing the pre-born babies who were aborted, which are represented by the crosses," Hirschfeldt. "I think it's very easy for the world to see people who are pro-life as people who attack those who make the decision, and yes there are pro-life people who are like that, but that's not at all why we're here. I can only speak for myself but I want to fight for the dignity of all humans."
SFL President Wesley Nelson told Campus Reform that the organization has "not made any definitive plans" to change their pro-life display as a result of the counter-protest. But he's happy to have sparked a productive and open dialogue.
