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A spirit that is not afraid

AUSFL spreads pro-life message on campus

For the last two days, 150 white crosses were on Cater Lawn.
They stood in rows behind a sign made by Auburn University Students for Life (AUSFL), which explained each cross was a representation of 20 abortion-related fatalities per day.
"There are 3,000 deaths due to abortion each day," said Gwen Baer, president of Auburn University Students for Life. "That's just in the U.S., it doesn't include China."
The visual display caught the attention of Daniel McCall, a graduate student in history, as he biked past.
"I think it's good they're talking about it," McCall said. "It's an important issue that in a lot of ways people have forgotten about."
McCall said he was happy to learn that there was a pro-life group on campus, and he said he would like the group's Facebook page.
Baer said AUSFL had a dual purpose on campus today.
"Today is National Pro-life Day of Silence and Solidarity," Baer said. "It's also part of 40 days for life."
According to both events' official websites they are peaceful, pro-life protests.
Baer said that for the remainder of the week AUSFL will have a table on the concourse with pamphlets, information about adoption options and pro-life t-shirts.
"It's going to be all about positive ways to be pro-life," Baer said.
Baer said that it is important for the group to be on campus, because even students who disagree with AUSFL's message are open to conversation.
She also said AU students for life's on-campus presence this week will be much different than last year's pro-life presentation, which featured large, graphic depictions of fetuses and the results of abortion.
"I rethink any displays now," Baer said.
Baer said despite promoting a pro-life message at a primarily conservative, southern university the pictures were not universally well-received.
"I got death threats last spring," Baer said. "But there were also some people who counter-protested me who I'm really close friends with now."
Baer said she feels motivated to spread a pro-life message because of her personal history.
"I was actually almost aborted," Baer said.
She said amniocentesis, or amniotic fluid test, suggested that she would be born with Down syndrome.
Ultimately, she was born healthy, but Baer said during pregnancy her mother heavily considered abortion.
Baer said another reason for her pro-life advocacy is based on what she feels is social responsibility.
"It's not a religious issue, it's a human rights issue," Baer said. "I really think it's not about legality it's about personal responsibility."
Baer encouraged anyone interested in more information about AUSFL or discussing abortion to visit AU students for life's Facebook page, to attend one of the group's meetings or to visit its table on the concourse during the week.


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