CALGARY, AB, March 16, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The six University of Calgary students who were charged by the university with trespassing on their own campus after they participated in a pro-life event last year, were scheduled to appear in court this morning where they intended to enter a “not guilty” plea.
Last November, CPL exhibited a graphic abortion display on campus, the sixth time that the group had done so. While at several past exhibits the university acknowledged the students’ rights to express themselves, last year U of C administration told the students they had to change how they exhibited their signs, pointing them inwards so that passersby could not see the display.
The students refused, however, arguing that the demand was akin to telling someone they could speak as long as no one could hear them. They erected their controversial display, facing outwards, and the university made good on its threats to charge them with trespass.
CPL President Leah Hallman maintains the charges are unjust and that she and her fellow club members are being discriminated against based on their political and philosophical beliefs.
“We have asked the university several times which of its by-laws, policies, regulations or other authority it relies on for censoring our viewpoint, and have received no answer to date,” said Hallman. “Instead of sticking to their own principles of conduct, the university is giving into mob rule by censoring a minority opinion because others may be offended.”
Students say that they plan to set up the controversial pro-life display on campus again next week, March 25 and 26.