Students received a shock yesterday as a moving truck bearing a giant photo of an aborted fetus made several circles in front of Free Speech Alley. Colin Sallinger, music education sophomore, organized the demonstration consisting of several Catholic students touting signs and chanting, “Abortion is murder,” and “Pray for Virginia Tech.” The driver of the truck, anti-abortion activist Rich Mahoney, said he was told about the demonstration by a representative from Students for Life, an anti-abortion student organization. Sallinger said he organized demonstrations to “bring the rosary to people” and to inspire more students to take action for their beliefs. He said that although students currently hold prayer meetings in the Quad at night and hand out pamphlets, “it’s much more intense when you’re out here in the daylight.” “Faith without works is dead,” he said. “Even if we don’t affect one person, we’re still out here for God.” Sallinger said the signs were intended to help onlookers make a connection between a modern tragedy and an ongoing struggle. The shootings at Va. Tech and abortion, Sallinger said, are related because “they are both murder.” Many students said they were appalled by the graphic image of the fetus. Joseph Bridge, international studies senior, said the image was “shocking and disturbing.” “For most people whose minds are already made up, it was just tasteless,” he said. Michael Strain, sociology sophomore, said he understands why people object to the demonstration. “It was crass and disgusting and turns people off instead of creating interest,” Strain said. “It enrages people, and they don’t think or debate clearly.” Though she felt the image on the truck was disgusting and ineffective, Kristin Craik, advertising junior, said she still respects the group’s right to demonstrate. “I like the idea of Free Speech Alley, and although it was disgusting, I wouldn’t want to censor anyone,” Craik said. Sallinger said he makes no apologies for the demonstration and said it is time Catholics to “take it to next level.” “What we’ve been doing isn’t working, and people need to see the cold, hard, graphic truth,” he said.
—–Contact Jimmy Garrett at [email protected]