UPDATE: Univ students harassed by anti abortion freaks yesterday on the way to class...

I did OP about this earlier today. Please see that post...I contacted the editor and....

THE EDITOR OF OUR LOCAL PAPER JUST POSTED THIS...

UWSP students stand ground against harassing protests
September 19, 2018


UWSP students hold signs to counter the controversial pro-life demonstration. (Photo: Mariah Bethel)

By Joe Bachman
Editor

STEVENS POINT — UWSP students stood in solidarity from Tuesday morning’s harassment from an extremist pro-life group that invaded the campus.

Missionaries to the Pre-Born is a group that has been sending protesters to various campuses across the UW-System. With blatantly graphic signage, and aggressive tactics, including the harassment of other students, this group likened abortion to slavery and the holocaust.

However, UW-Students fought back.

“Whether you’re pro-life or pro-choice, at least we can all agree this protest was harassment,” stated UW-Student Mariah Bethel, who walked past the protests with fellow students. “…I was walking in a group that had mixed opinions about abortion, but all of us agreed that the protest was out of line and harassment.”

Students took to the fifteen protesters and held up signs of their own. Many advocated for free-choice, but most simply agreed that this kind of protest and harassment has no place in an institution of civility. Many of those who consider themselves pro-life also detested the protest, questioning how such tactics further a civil conversation.

“I’m pro-life but I would never yell, curse or tell people they are damned in a protest,” said UWSP alumna Carrie Dreger. “How is that supposed to help share your views or encourage dialogue?”

A UWSP student who stood in front of graphic images held by demonstrators.

“They compared abortion to the slave trade and the Holocaust,” said UWSP Senior Anthony Kołodziej “They told members of the gay community they had no place on this earth. Their hate speech was met with the power of the student body.”

Protest organizer, and Pastor at the Mercy Seat Church in Milwaukee, Matt Trewhella, could not be reached for comment.

“This is not God’s work,” stated UWSP student Meghan Gobler. “This is a small group of very hateful people that is touring UW campuses that need to be put to a stop. For anyone across Wisconsin, if you see this group contact your Dean and campus police.”

After some time, this is exactly what happened, as the Dean of Students took action, and along with campus police, instructed the protesters to leave, as they were causing a disruption to classes.

“UWSP stood together as a student body by fighting back and pushing them off our campus,” said Bethel. “Yes, people have the right to freedom of speech; but that doesn’t mean freedom to assault and harass.”

The extremist group has their sights on UW-Milwaukee on Thursday for their next demonstration. For those who would like to file a complaint to put in the UW-System, please visit out https://www.uwsp.edu/dos/Pages/complaints.aspx
TagsabortionprotestUWSP