A group of anti-abortion protesters demonstrated at Durham College (DC) on Thursday, March 13, holding large graphic signs that prompted strong reactions from students.
Members of the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform’s (CCBR) from Toronto stood near a busy walkway on campus, displaying what they call “abortion victim photography.” According to their website, endthekilling.ca, the organization believes “abortion, in surgical, chemical, or any other form, directly and intentionally kills a pre-born human being and is therefore wrong.”
CCBR operates nationwide, using what it calls “abortion victim photography and human rights apologetics” to advance its mission. These images, once seen by students supporting abortion rights, prompted vocal responses urging the group to “leave” and dispose of their signage.
Brooke Wheeler, a student who engaged in conversation with one of the protesters, said she was frustrated by the exchange.
“I spent a long time talking to one of them and … every time I proposed an argument that had a dilemma that would go against this—like a very real reason—she would redirect to a different case and not answer my question,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler also questioned the accuracy of the images.
“I need to know why their signs had anatomically strange, often incorrect images,” she said. “This isn’t real. This isn’t what these look like.”
The accuracy of the images could not be independently verified.
Sarah Milton, another student, expressed concern over the supports being offered. “I was a little appalled at the lack of resources and the fact that they couldn’t name them. They said that they connect women to pregnancy resources but could not name me a single one in the Durham Region, yet they are from Toronto. It was very disheartening,” Milton said.
Wheeler also questioned whether the organization’s efforts and funding could be put to better use. “There are alive babies that need them, alive teens who are currently struggling with that decision, and the decision might be because they don’t have resources for this that they could provide,” she said.
Durham College’s Policy, Upholding Free Speech, states that the institution is “a place that allows for open discussion and free inquiry where diverse voices can be heard and ideas and viewpoints can be… debated openly without fear of reprisal.”
Security officers followed behind the group as they approached their vehicle to leave campus. When asked for comment, they were instructed to decline. According to Tom Lynch, director of the Office of Campus Safety, DC security officers are contracted as a third-party vendor through Paragon and instructed “to observe and ensure there are no safety issues.”
CCBR did not respond to requests for comment sent via email, Instagram and Facebook, but later posted about having a “great day” while on Durham College property in their Instagram Story, @endthekilling.
The demonstration sparked ongoing conversations about free speech and reproductive rights on campus.