Every Thursday, University students in the Pro-Life LSU club take to Free Speech Plaza to express their beliefs through meaningful discussion about the costs and benefits of abortion.
Founded in 2005, the club traditionally meets several times each week. Its mission remains the same: “Respect all, protect all and uphold the dignity of all human life from conception until death.” Business management sophomore and club president Catherine Stewart has been active in the club since 2011. She hopes the club can separate itself from misconceptions associated with many pro-life groups.
“People think we’re gonna yell at you and hate you if you disagree with us, but that’s not true,” Stewart said. “I strongly encourage real dialogue between people of different opinions. That’s why I come out here with pro-life questions — to actually get people talking. We can’t ever come to any sort of conclusion if we don’t have real dialogue.”
Pro-life discussion has been increasingly prevalent in the last year because of the 2016 presidential race. President Donald Trump has pledged to defund Planned Parenthood, a pro-choice organization that has been receiving federal funding since 1970. Trump stated this intention in a Sept. 2016 letter to pro-life leaders.
“I am committed to signing into law the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would end painful late-term abortions nationwide,” he said in the letter.
While most pro-life discussion centers on the unborn, Stewart said the club is committed to providing for parents and their children after birth as well. On Thursdays, the club distributes free baby clothes to support students balancing school with parenthood.
“We’re just trying to make campus a more safe and friendly place for pregnant and parenting students right now,” Stewart said. “I think that’s a big part of what the pro-life movement needs to start doing — loving the babies and moms even after birth.”
The club meets on Thursdays in the Student Union to discuss upcoming events and ways to reach out to the community. The club members participate in other events besides tabling such as lobbying for pro-life legislation and peacefully protesting abortion clinics by actively conversing with women about resources and solutions for unwanted pregnancies.
Stewart said the club welcomes all students to their meetings and events. She hopes that the club can reach all students to create discussion and education. Stewart said she doesn’t mind if a student disagrees with the club’s methods, but hopes all students can be educated about safe sex resources, pregnancy options and solutions to related problems.
