April 26, 2011
Media Contact: Mary Powers
Communications Director
Email: mpowers@studentsforlife.org
Phone: 703-351-6280
*For Immediate Release*
Anti-Life and Anti-Christian Vandalism hits PA University in midst of Holy Week
Last Wednesday, in the midst of Holy Week, Clarion University (PA) Students for Life’s Cemetery of the Innocents Display was vandalized and desecrated by individuals identifying themselves in red paint as “pro-choice”.
In a breathtaking public display of anti-Christian and anti-Life motivations, 350 crosses were pulled up and re-inserted in inverted fashion, a well-known anti-Christian symbol. Additionally, red paint was splattered on crosses and signs. Even eerier was the mock bloody footprints of an infant painted in front of the display.
Upon hearing of the desecration of the display, Kristan Hawkins, Executive Director of Students for Life of America stated, “Vandalism of pro-life displays on campus is not uncommon, but this incident takes pro-choice vandalism on campus to a whole new level. It is revolting to think that anyone would desecrate a display in this way, most especially with red paint to imitate blood. Clarion University must take a strong stand against this disgusting, intolerant, and hate-filled act.”
Last week was Clarion Students for Life’s annual “Life Week”. Each year the group organizes a Cemetery of the Innocents Display in the middle of campus. They have 350 crosses and two signs explaining that each cross represents 10 children aborted every day.
Every year Clarion SFL experiences some sort of vandalism – broken crosses or knocked over crosses – during their Life Week, but this year the opposition on campus has taken its vandalism to a whole new level. Members of Clarion’s Students for Life group see an anti-Life motivation to this vandalism, but also an anti-Christian motivation as well. The inverted cross has long been a symbol of anti-Christian and anti-religious sentiments.
To speak with Kristan Hawkins, Executive Director of Students for Life, about the display, contact Mary Powers at mpowers@studentsforlife.org or by phone: 703-351-6280.
Pictures from the desecrated Cemetery of the Innocents are below:
Being pro-choice does NOT mean that you are anti-Christian. True, turning the crosses upside down was a very disrespectful thing to do, but please do not equate all pro-choicers with anti-Christianity; that is discrimination. Thank you.
At the college I went to many years ago, the pro-life table was called “the Neanderthal table”.
Father forgive them, they know not what they do.
Honestly, a little vandalism (which apparently happens to this group often) is far less of a disturbance than those “Christians” and pro-life people who emotionally abuse girls who do get abortions. No matter the reason for an abortion or anything else you may not believe in, it make you the horrible person for yelling such demeaning things to people. People are people, and you are not above them because you claim belief in something.
Isn’t it typical of liberals like Lindsay to run for all they are worth and try to claim that they are not part of this hatred of anything pro-life or Christian.
Lindsay, sorry but the instances of this happening over and over and over tell a different story.
I am glad that you condemn what your fellow pro-choice people do. Now it is incumbent on your to publicly call them out on their hatred and refuse to have anything to do with them.
Lindsay… “very disrespectful” is the best you can do. What is preventing you from condemning the perpetrators of this horrible, hateful act? Thanks for nothing.
Lindsay, as you can see from Emily Jones comment there is an equal amount of generalization that goes on regarding how Pro Life people conduct themselves. As for discrimination, I shudder to think how quickly the ACLU or other such organization would be all over the media about it had this been a different religious symbol that was desecrated in such a disrespectful manner, or about a different issue like civil rights, etc. Where is the outcry from liberal minded folks condemning such actions…the silence is very telling.
A political statement in response to a political statement.
Every person will give an accounting to God one day. The people who did this have a serious problem that only Jesus Christ can help. I pray they get it.
This doesn’t surprise me. It’s not that there aren’t haters on the right, but the most hateful rhetoric by far comes from the left these days. The little red footprints and blood spatters are so sweet. Can’t you just feel the love?
The little red footprints says it all. Abortion is the sacrament of humanism. Instead of torching babies on the brazen hands of Molech modern day pagans cut them up in the wombs of their mothers. Wow, we make the Islamofascists look civilized.
J
As the super great Ronald Reagan said, and I wear the T shirt with his picturer and this quotation ” I have noticed that all those for abortion have already been born”.
My god. And the right-wingers are the vile, evil, hateful ones. Right.
Seriously, if the more “moderate” liberals truly condemn this type of stuff, then WHY NOT JUST SAY IT??? If pro-lifers had vandalized a pro-choice monument of some sort it’d be all over the news.
And as far as the emotional-abuse comment goes… what are you saying? That’s a huge generalization too, you know…
I don’t know anyone who yells demeaning things at girls going into abortion clinics…with 40 Days for Life…all we do is pray and talk if they are willing b/c we know that women regret abortion..there is no peace after an abortion…maybe it “feels” like peace, but eventually, reality sets in. Otherwise, why does a woman feel that she “killed” her child after an abortion…the lie of the ‘choice” of abortion dies on the floor once the womb is empty.
Fetology tells us that life begins at conception and our conscience tells us that we are killing something.
Abortion is not an answer to a problem…abortion ‘fixes” nothing…it IS the problem…the pregnancy is NOT a problem..it is an inconvenience but no child should pay with his life for the mistake of getting pregnant. children are NOT mistakes or blobs of tissue etc they are developing people just like us…just a a different stage of development.
Notice which side is being violent…the pro-choice side..b/c justifying violence in the womb on innocent preborn children requires a violent response…said, but true.
Praying for an end to abortion…so children can have their right to live…and be here to help our world..(ever thnk about the “taxes” that our government is missing b/c babies aren’t allowed to live to be here to pay them…hmmm maybe our gov’t wouldn’t be so broke if babies could grow and live!
As a Christian, the upside down crosses were not nearly as offensive as the mocking painted-on blood. It is a strange method of protest to make light of the gruesome ‘surgical procedure’ that abortion is by painting bloody infant footprints. To me that does more to call to mind what abortion truly is: the killing of an unborn baby.
I keep hearing about this and it just shows how ignorant people really are. The inverted cross is the sign of St. Peter and it means they are humbling themselves before god. I wish someone would write about that and get it out there so who ever did this attack will feel quite silly. I really don’t know how it got turned into an anti-christian symbol when there is an inverted cross on the pope’s throne… Does no one pay attention or learn their own history? The people who did this should be mocked that they are humbling themselves to god. Maybe it’ll make them pick up a book and learn something. The blood and baby foot prints are just sick.
people seem to have totally forgotten ” Thou shall not kill,” it is so sad.
In a country that celebrates freedom of speech it seems terrible to me that this has occurred. The pro-lifers were well within their rights to display their materials. The individuals acting outside of their rights in this situation were those who vandalized the display. While not all pro-lifers are fanatics who abuse women getting abortions, not all pro-choicers are vandals. It seems sad to me that this group of individuals chose to act in such a way that does not support their cause. Violence solves nothing and only makes you look foolish not matter what your views are.
Seems to me that our “higher” institutions of learning need to take a second look at our Constitution and learn what it means for every citizen (that includes the unborn citizen) has a right to LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The pregnant mother also has that right and needs support, comfort and encouragement at this very crucial time of her life. The murder of the baby in her womb will only cause tremendous heartache and guilt all her remaining days. I’ve experienced the horrendous cry of one who faced this agony–it was heart piercing and the carnage she allowed her unborn child to experience surfaced in that cry. God can and will forgive and heal those who have suffered this experience and then acknowledge that He is the only one that can do so. Let’s get back to the principles that were laid as the foundation for our country and so reap the fruits that accompany such.
In a way not surprising: if its ok to kill little people in the womb, what’s a little vandalism?
I am pro-choice and I am disgusted by these actions. This is not how you do counter-protest. This is just wrong. Put signs up offering opposing points of view, sure. But don’t vandalize the display.
I am someone who has experienced abortion, and now i am someone who will FOREVER regret that decision, I now am pro life, i have seen the truth, and it is a very sad sad sad truth.
Emily there is no way every pro life person , treats these women like that, it is very sad when it happens and very wrong i agree, I volunteer for an AMAZING organization called The Backporch in Edmonton Alberta, they are there to help women make INFORMED decisons. They are there to listen even if they still decide to abort. we dont support that decison in any way but these women need love and understanding no matter what.
What these pro abortion people did was so completely disgraceful heartless and Im disgusted.
I feel sorry for these people that they can’t find something more positive to do with their time.
Larry earlier posted “A political statement in response to a political statement.”
Yup, that’s what the Brownshirts always said when they did similar things, wasn’t it?
When pro-lifers do things like this it is hypocritical, but not when choicers do it: violence and disrespect are at the heart of the cause. Not all pro-choice people do such things, but when they don’t they are not really being consistent with their espoused values.
And how thankful we should be for that! We should count our blessings in this since pro-choicers are often very hypocritical (such as when they show open-mindedness to other views, honor the dignity of another human being, or try to respond to a political statement in kind rather than trying to squelch it).
Best be careful, vandals, your true colors are showing once again. It goes without saying that we will be praying for you.
How sad to see people so engrossed in being prochoice that they don’t see the ignorant things they have done. I want to make a clear point you can not be pro choice and be Christian god states clearly in the bible that death of an innocent is not okay!
You are talking about something that causes the death of a person. Abortion stops a life ~ a beating heart in a live person who has a specific DNA, one of a kind fingerprints, a functioning brain ~ the same things that make you unique. Yet, for some reason it is deemed by the government that it’s “OK” to kill this person. The difference between you and that little person is you can make a choice in the matter… they can only be the victim of another’s choice. They have no voice… unless you give yours to the unborn kids of the world.
Pro-Choice does in FACT equate to Anti-Christian, Anti-Christ. Jesus says:”Whatsoever you do to the least of these, you do it to me” and “I am the WAY the TRUTH and the LIFE”. Scripture also states that Jesus is the “Author of Life” Killing Human life is a direct attack on God Himself as we are created in His image!
Plain and simple, if you are Anti-Truth or Anti-Life, you are Anti-Christ!
Do you not understand that because the process of life creation is under God’s dominion, we are not permitted to interrupt it? We are not the owners or ultimate source of the children who are aborted nor of the children we bring into the world. Abortion has done NOTHING to fix society’s ills since the day it was legalized (indeed, as evidenced by this, it has only fueled more controversy and violence). The only thing that’s happened is that abortions have increased 1,000-fold. This vandalism is a hate crime, plain and simple. Call it out for what it stands for. There are violent, hateful people who will continue the violence against the child in the womb because they can’t stand for anyone to tell them what to do–including God. Had this been against a transgender person as in the incidence of McDonald’s in Baltimore, the law, the courts, and the media would be all over it. That an innocent and helpless child can be so polarizing speaks volumes.
@Emily,
I am sorry that you have encountered so called “Christians” and “Prolife” individuals that emotionally abuse and yell demeaning things at women I honestly am…. If these women are being treated like this then the attackers are obviously NOT Christians or PROLIFE advocates… otherwise “they” would know that like themselves we are ALL sinners and fall short of the Glory of God EVERYONE of us including the “Christians” and “Prolifers”. For a Christian to Hate or belittle ANYONE is equal to abortion in our Lord and Saviours eyes PERIOD….A sin is a sin there is no little sin or big sin. I am a Christian I am also Prolife but may I add I also VERY MUCH care about ANYONE that has been touched in anyway by abortion it is my PASSION to help educate those in unwanted pregnancies about the outcome of abortion and the help that is available to those who have had an abortion and are realizing that they have made a mistake…. It is NOT our responsibility to help them realize they have made a mistake this will only make matters worse…. most women will realize this on their own we just want to be there for them when the walls come tumbling down… So again I am sorry that you have encountered this and pray that you will not put all Christians and Prolifers in the same category.. God Bless!
I certainly agree that this is HORRIBLY disrespectful, and there is no way to justify the people who do these kinds of things (the bloody footprints were just appalling). However, I also agree with Emily Jones. There are people on the other side of the argument that are just as bad, if not worse. I must say, I have more sympathy for scared teenagers and rape victims who are tormented and emotionally abused for getting abortions and the people who have gotten shot for running abortion clinics (and their families) than I do for the people who have to deal with vandalism and flip the crosses back over. In no way am I trying to say that all pro-life people do things like that. I’m sure that the majority of them are good people. But there are instances of a few of them doing terrible things (same thing with pro-choice). I do not judge them all by the actions of a few. All I ask is that you do the same of pro-choice people. There are extremists on BOTH sides, but those extremists do not speak for the rest of either group.
Abortion is indefensible. The murder of innocent, pre-born people cannot be defended by any rational person. The vandals are obviously aware that abortion spills the blood of little persons, and since they cannot defend the practice, they resort to this type of desecration in an effort to frighten and silence those who cry out against the injustice. This is really a form of mild terrorism, intended to have a chilling effect. The Ku Klux Klan and the Nazis used the same strategy against blacks and Jews.
@Jody,
Under normal circumstances Jody when a woman has an abortion she is uneducated and she is told that what is inside her is a blob of tissue, I am NOT defending abortion in any way, shape or form whatsoever although I do have to say that if more people were proactive in their prolife stance in standing FIRM in LOVE and educate rather than beat people up physically or mentally, like posting pictures of what abortion does, Walk for life, Banquets, Baby Bottle Campaigns etc or pushing for pre utlrasound before abortions are performed then more women will decide against abortions….even if they are not Christian. If there are no pictures then in most peoples minds the “blob of tissue” phrase remains….People need to SEE the truth I too am a Christian I am also a woman who was once uneducated and was told I had to have a “medical” abortion, my husband and I had to choose between myself and my baby and selfishly we chose ME to stay and take care of my two young boys…THAT WAS NOT MY CHOICE TO MAKE it was GODS I was not Christian at the time I was Athiest but even being Athiest I would have chosen differently if I would have known that I had a BABY growing inside me rather than a “blob of tissue” if I would have seen an ultrasound or pictures of an abortion like those which are posted in many of my posts now my “moral conscience” would have taken over and I would have chosen differently so PICTURES make a difference and I post them DAILY…. Being a Christian or a Catholic or any other denomination has no bearing on HUMAN LIFE and how we must fight this fight to HELP WOMEN in unwanted pregancies and save those beautiful innocent babies. Here is a question for you Jody… What do you do to help WOMEN in unwanted pregnancies???? Because if we help the women first… then we will usually not have to save her child……God bless you, everyone fighting this fight and especially ALL who have been touched by abortion in one way or another….Love in Christ!