Students for Life sues Wayne State
When last we left Detroit’s Wayne State University in November 2007, Medical Students for Choice was hosting infamous late-term abortionist Alberto Hodari to speak words of wisdom.
You remember that speech, secretly taped by Students for Life infiltrators who caught Hodari on video stating he had a “license to lie,” among other gems.
Then, of course, Hodari went on to achieve national recognition for being caught trashing aborted babies in a couple of his mill dumpsters.
But I digress.
The Detroit News reported July 24:
A student group at Wayne State is suing the university, its top officials, and the student council, alleging the group was denied funding and the use of university facilities because of its anti-abortion stance.
Wayne State University Students for Life filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Detroit….
University officials denied the group “access to both funding and facilities in 2008 based on the content and viewpoint of SFL’s speech,” the lawsuit alleges.
The university student council denied the group’s request for more than $4,000 in funding for its 2008 “Pro-Life Week,” citing “spiritual and religious programming references” in a letter detailing the planned events, the lawsuit alleges.
University officials also denied the group the use of a stage area in the student center and other facilities for planned events, the lawsuit alleges.
Added the Associated Press:
Students for Life said it is a registered campus organization. And like other groups, it believes it should be entitled to a portion of student fees….
A lawsuit… said the initial request was rejected because of “spiritual and religious” references. But the anti-abortion group said it doesn’t have a specific religious affiliation….
“Access for these groups to funding and facilities must be provided without regard to the group’s viewpoint. When a public university enforces a viewpoint-discriminatory policy, the school violates the Constitution,” attorney Joseph Martins said in a statement….
The group wanted to hold a “pro-life trivia game” on a stage at Student Center North Commons, a busy area, but was told by campus officials to use another area, according to the lawsuit.
“Some people would no doubt likely find it difficult to eat lunch if they have strong opinions either for or against your group,” Christina Basso of the Student Center staff said in an e-mail attached to the lawsuit.
Go SFL!
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Well it depends on what they’re showing. I bet PETA would get the same reaction if they wanted to show a video of animals being tortured and slaughtered while the students were eating lunch.
Since they’re eating the poor little animals : (
But if it was just information like pamphlets and stuff anywhere should be fine.
“”Some people would no doubt likely find it difficult to eat lunch if they have strong opinions either for or against your group,” Christina Basso of the Student Center staff said in an e-mail attached to the lawsuit.”
Oh, well, when babies are dying, we sure as heck wouldn’t wanna disturb anyone’s LUNCH or anything.
And the article says it was a trivia game, not a video of abortions, Jess.
“Oh, well, when babies are dying, we sure as heck wouldn’t wanna disturb anyone’s LUNCH or anything.”
I know, huh Kel…
hows the saying go…
Nero is playing the fiddle while Rome is burning…
And Laura. We need Laura back too.
I love Laura.
Welcome to free speech Canadian style! I surprised they didn’t just have the group play the trivia game with the board turned face down. That’s how we do it in Canada.(sarcasm alert)
I hope they win.
They may have actually done this in order to draw out the discriminatory biases that they knew the University had. This is awesome news. Good work Wayne State SFL and SFLMichigan!!
Thanks for posting Jill :)
Why don’t you just stage a coup and take over the Canadian government Patricia? Gee all you do is complain, “Abortion is legal here, we don’t have free speech.” My goodness stop talking and just make yourself dictator for life (no pun intended).
Jess,
ARe you aware of the fact that there are 5 or 6 universities in Canada that will not allow prolife groups to form on campus – they cannot meet, they cannot use space on campus, they cannot post signs for meetings. Any prolife events that are organized are met with juvenile opposition such as other students standing in front of signs and tables with blankets!
Did you know that York University in Toronto cancelled a prolife debate that both prolife and proabort groups agreed to participate in. The reason? Because abortion is a basic human right and therefore not debateable.
When free speech is not allowed – when people cannnot even discuss their views, everyone loses and we sink further toward totalitarianism. Does America wish for this kind of neighbour?
So get off your snotty-nosed horse Jess and try to react with intelligence and maturity.
My point, Patricia, was obviously stupid. I highly doubt you could or would stage a coup.
Maybe you should get into politics if you feel so strongly about it.
Maybe I should have added “just kidding” after my 9:25 post. Whatever, I regret nothing.
Maybe you should get into politics if you feel so strongly about it.
Posted by: Jess at July 28, 2008 9:40 PM
yeah, with 4 kids and working – I don’t think so.
I have NO desire to be in politics – EVER!
That could be your campaign thing (?), “I work and have four kids, if I can handle that I can handle your problems too.”
And is THIS the pony you want me off of?
http://simplymarvelous.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/freddie-on-shetland-pony.jpg
Jess, you come here and complain a lot about animal rights and how we’re killing all the poor, defenseless cows, but Patricia’s not allowed to speak about something that SHE feels strongly about, which happens to be governmental interference with free speech??
I realize you don’t regret it, but it didn’t come across as kidding.
Kel, if anything Patricia has more of a right to come her and say what she want’s. She is after all, staying on topic unlike me who goes off on poorly constructed tangents.
Sorry, I am feeling rather crummy this evening and perhaps it just “hit” me the wrong way.
Oh I’m sorry to hear that Kel. I hope the picture of the pony makes you feel better, it’s all I can do over the internet : (
Sorry, I am feeling rather crummy this evening and perhaps it just “hit” me the wrong way.
Posted by: Kel at July 28, 2008 9:55 PM
Naw, I don’t think so. It “hit” me that way too! I certainly hope you are feeling better, Kel!
I’m sorry Patricia.
If it means anything I appreciate our relationship and its complexities.
I was involved in my senate’s funding for clubs when I was in college. As is the case at most colleges, during these funding processes, there was no regard for the ideologies of the clubs requesting funds. Instead, there are a number of other factors such as other events taking place and the fiscal responsibility of the clubs.
We were accused of being a left-leaning senate; it was a huge controversy around campus with audits done. It was funny, considering the majority of the members were in fact very conservative. We just didn’t look at the views of the clubs applying for funding.
I would be willing to guarantee there is more to the story than the suit alleges and there are other factors involved than just “being against abortion”.
Is that you Erin? The Erin that hasn’t commented here for a loooooong time?? :) If it is HI I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT YOU! If it isn’t….Hi Erin!!
Wow, pretty soon we will only have state run programming and events in our colleges and schools.