TUCSON, Ariz. — A graphic anti-abortion display went up on the University of Arizona campus Wednesday morning, sparking controversy. It was taken down Thursday evening, as scheduled, by the group that set it up.
The display shows dead and bloody fetuses next to Nazi imagery and images of Rwandan genocide.
The display was organized by the group "Center for Bio-Ethical Reform" along with UArizona College Republicans United. They began planning the display in January.
“It is upsetting, because abortion is upsetting, because it’s the killing of innocent human beings," said Abra Singleton, the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform's Southwest Regional Director, who made the trip from Glendale. “Ultimately, we want to change society’s view on abortion and we want to make it unthinkable in our society. That’s our goal.”
"Some of our members supported this, some of our members are kinda 50-50," said UArizona sophomore and College Republicans United Director of Membership Richard Guthridge. "We kinda wanna have a free dialogue and discussion here. So we’re kinda for free speech on campus here.”
The anti-abortion group says counter-protesters threw eggs at them Wednesday.
About 200 more students showed up Thursday afternoon to protest against the display. They say it's hate speech and the University should have taken it down.
"There should be a line, and this is where the line is crossed," one student told KGUN.
“People are traumatized just by looking at this," said UArizona freshman Jalen Boyle. "Cause some people have abortions at our age. I’m 19. And some people have abortions younger than that.”
“No matter where you stand on [the issue of abortion]... I don’t think images like this should be shown at a school," said UArizona junior Enrique Brown.
HAPPENING NOW: Students are protesting at the University of Arizona after a graphic anti-abortion display went up in the middle of campus.
— Ryan Fish (@RyanFishTV) April 13, 2023
An outside organization worked with a student group and the administration to bring in the display.
More tonight on @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/R1WDsJHb8L
Students claim the anti-abortion advocates shouted slurs at them.
KGUN 9 asked University Officials to speak with us about how groups organize a protest or display like this on the mall. They declined an interview and forwarded us this link UArizona Mall Guidelinesthat gives the logistical requirements for holding an event on the mall, but does not address standards of behavior.
The University's Women and Gender Resource Center has opened up emergency counseling for students in response to the display.
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Ryan Fish is an anchor and reporter for KGUN 9 and comes to the Sonoran Desert from California’s Central Coast after working as a reporter, sports anchor and weather forecaster in Santa Barbara. Ryan grew up in the Chicago suburbs, frequently visiting family in Tucson. Share your story ideas and important issues with Ryan by emailing ryan.fish@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook and Twitter.
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Brooke Long is Senior Executive Producer at KGUN 9. Brooke graduated from Midwestern State University in 2014 where she studied journalism and television production. She came to Tucson by way of Wichita Falls, Texas where she worked at KFDX-TV. Share your story ideas and important issues with Brooke by emailing brooke.long@kgun9.com.
