“We’re hoping to expose the truth graphically,” said Cameron Côté, 21, YPY vice-president. “Instead of going out there with signs saying ‘abortion is wrong’ or that ‘pro-life is awesome,’ things that state our conclusion, we go out there with our evidence. We show them why abortion is wrong and we work with them to find that connection.” 

Approximately 20 members of YPY braved rain, wind and falling temperatures to stand with the images in the university’s central quadrangle, a high traffic area located in front of the campus library.

“We had a lot of people come by and stop to see what we are doing,” said Côté.

“We spoke with probably hundreds of people about the ethics of abortion and whether it’s morally permissible or not. They were interested, they were intrigued and a lot of really good dialogues occurred. I would say that it was very effective.”

It was the first time doing “Choice” Chain for YPY member Amanda Star, 20.

“We may not necessarily change minds, but we plant a seed so they can at least think about things by themselves and bring a bit of light to this issue,” said Star. “I think we accomplished a lot in just talking to people.”

YPY has been back in action for a year after surviving two years of rocky relationships with the University of Victoria Student Society. Since 2008, several incidents occurred where YPY’s club status was revoked, funding withheld and student society harassment policies created to specifically target pro-life advocacy.

The UVSS reinstated YPY club status and funding in an out-of-court settlement July 2010 after YPY filed a petition in the B.C. Supreme Court.

“We had confidence in our club members and in ‘Choice’ Chain in and of itself that it wasn’t contrary to any policy at UVic,” said Côté. “Even though complaints may arise, we are confident that there wouldn’t be any valid complaints or issues brought against the club that would result in a loss of status and funding.”

“Choice” Chain was counter protested by approximately 30 members of UVic’s abortion advocacy club, Students for Reproductive Justice. Its members held signs, chanted and, in one incident, dressed up as a dancing red Teletubby. Club members did not chant and both protests were peaceful. 

One concern of many passersby and protesters was the effect of the images on women who have had abortions.

“We would encourage any women who feel traumatized by their abortion to look for healing, to find that healing that they need, because it’s not the images that are traumatic for them, it’s the abortion itself,” said Côté.

“We’re condemning the act of abortion, not the people involved — we’re merely saying that abortion in and of itself, as an action, is morally wrong. We have an incredible amount of compassion and amount of love for those women who have gone through abortion.”

YPY members handed out carnations to women and men who said they were affected by abortion. 

“As in any pro-life protest, our main goal is to save babies,” said Côté.

“In doing that we’re obviously hoping to change hearts and minds when it comes to the abortion debate... I don’t think it would be a stretch to say that we had more good conversations, more in-depth and accurate conversations in the last two days than we have for a very long time.”

(Lawrie, 20, is a creative writing major at the University of Victoria. Read her full profile at youthspeaknews.org)