CALGARY, Alberta, November 19, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The U of C is again attempting to censor student members of the campus pro-life club by threatening them with arrest and sanctions for non-academic misconduct (including the possibility of suspension and expulsion) if they do not comply with an order to turn Genocide Awareness Project (GAP) displays inward. GAP is a graphic exhibit which includes photographs of unborn babies who have been aborted.
U of C lawyer Paul Beke addressed a letter to pro-life club members which said, "The university has the right to control what people do on its private property," and stated that the university wants the display set up so "passersby could avoid the displays if they were to wish."
.... Stephanie Gray of the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform, commenting on the university's attempt to censor the pro-life club said, "There is an important principle of free expression on campus at stake here. Universities should not be allowed to censor controversial, unpopular or minority viewpoints. If the University of Calgary can censor GAP (on the basis of anonymous complaints from people claiming to be offended), this will have direct implications and consequences for all persons on university campuses throughout Canada (not to mention the state of free expression off-campus)."
"Can you imagine them making this demand (turning the displays inwards) of animal rights activists or those who protest the genocide in Darfur?" Gray asked.
Read entire...
Related:
Calgary Herald - "No good reason to squelch this debate"
World Net Daily "College threatens pro-life students with arrest"
Calgary Campus Pro-Life Club from where you can download pdfs of the threatening letter sent to the club and the club's response.
Center for Bio-Ethical Reform which sponsors the GAP Project.
View the 24 signs which make up a GAP display.
Quotes from people who have viewed the display.
Is there anything the layperson can do about this? Since education is a provincial responsibility, you might want to contact your MLA (if you live in Alberta):
- Search for your Alberta MLA by postal code
- Write the appropriate government minister
If you'd like to write your member of parliament (federal) find out who your MP is and the contact information here.
1 comments:
Hi Violet - your interview is up on my blog today. :) Thanks again for doing it!
Now I've got to go read all the links in this article. I've already sent some letters expressing my disappointment at the U of C.
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