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Update on University of Western Ontario Protest of Morgentaler Honour

LONDON, Ontario, June 14, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Concerned students, alumni, faculty, and area citizens plan to protest the University of Western Ontario’s decision to confer an honorary doctor of laws degree on abortionist and abortion campaigner Henry Morgentaler Thursday.

Protesters plan to meet at 8:30 am Thursday at the gates of Western on Western Rd near Alumni Hall. Free parking is provided at Althouse College, which is two blocks south of the gates on Western Rd. For more information contact Brian & Nikki Cooke at: 519-666-2517 or CLC London at: 473-7077.

Meanwhile, abortion campaigner, feminist Doris Anderson, who received an honorary doctorate Monday, used the occasion to applaud the university’s decision to confer the honour upon Morgentaler. Anderson, the former editor of Chatelaine magazine, has been an outspoken advocate of abortion since the 1950s.

“I want to congratulate this university for having the courage to be the first university to give Dr. Henry Morgentaler an honorary degree,” she said to “loud applause,” as reported by the London Free Press. Anderson wrote an editorial advocating legal abortion in 1958. “I have every respect for people who don't believe in abortion under any circumstances,” she claimed, adding, “but I don't think they should force their views on people who don't agree with them.” Contradicting herself when speaking about the so-called success of the abortion campaign, she then emphasized, “You've got to keep the pressure on.”

Meanwhile, two NDP MPPs praised the university’s decision to confer the honour on Morgentaler in the Ontario provincial legislature Monday. MPP Andrea Horvath (NDP -- Hamilton East), speaking on behalf of NDP MPP Marilyn Churley, the party's women's issues critic, said, “In profiling its commitment to women's rights, (UWO) has gained three outstanding alumni who were pivotal in advancing the rights of Canadian women,” referring to Morgentaler, Anderson, and activist Maude Barlow who was honoured today.

See related London Free Press reports:
MPPs praise Morgentaler degree
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/News/2005/06/14/1087101-sun.html
Feminist lauds UWO honour for Morgentaler
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/News/2005/06/14/1087100-sun.html
Support group tries to heal abortion hurt
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/News/2005/06/14/1087102-sun.html

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