It all started on October 9, when our “All Human Life is Valuable” campus tour at Salisbury University abruptly took a turn. During a Students for Life of America tabling event designed to foster dialogue about the dignity of every human life, a male student staged a grotesque act of protest using a coat hanger and a basketball. He mimicked giving himself an abortion, played vulgar music, and shouted offensive remarks. 

The incident not only interrupted meaningful conversations but also exposed the intense hostility that pro-life advocates sometimes encounter on college campuses. Our original blog post captured the details and impact of that day, highlighting both the shock and the resolve of our team; it can be read here. 

After the incident, the story did not simply fade away. An attorney representing the student reached out to us, requesting that we remove the video documenting the event from our website and social media. Initially, we stood firm, explaining our right to film in public spaces. However, after further discussion, we agreed to take down the video and blur the face of this individual in exchange for a formal apology. 

On November 7, we removed the video as agreed. We also edited the original blog post to blur the student’s face. (The student’s apology letter is available for those interested in reading his own words.) [Salisbury…ine & Blog | Word] 

In his apology, the student expressed regret for his actions and recognized the disruption he had caused. “I chose to offend the public in an attempt to attract attention to myself from my friends,”  he wrote. He then admitted that his action was misguided and acknowledged that it detracted from the important conversations our event was meant to foster.  

Notably, he shared that watching our videos led him to a deeper understanding of the impact of abortion. “I used to be pro-abortion, but after this experience, I have chosen not to be,” he wrote. While this assessment didn’t result in a complete conversion to the pro-life position, his honest reflection on the violence of abortion is exactly the impact our student groups hope to achieve through campus outreach. 

The incident at Salisbury University highlighted how peer pressure and social dynamics can push individuals toward adopting a more pro-choice stance than they might choose on their own. Recognizing this reality is crucial for understanding the challenges faced by pro-life advocates doing campus work. 

College campuses have become increasingly hostile to those with anti-abortion viewpoints. That is precisely why we place ourselves at the center of this conflict: to bring light to the evil of abortion and to create opportunities for honest conversation. Experiences like this remind us why our work matters, as even in difficult circumstances, our presence has the potential to inspire genuine change. 

We must – and will — remain steadfast in our efforts to expose the ugliness of pro-abortion ideology. When we confront these difficult truths openly, we challenge the narrative that seeks to normalize or disguise the reality of abortion. In doing so, we create space for honest self-examination and growth, even among those who disagree. This student’s apology is a reminder that everyone is capable of reflection and even redemption when we respond to hostility with both firmness and compassion. 

But being a strong voice for Life requires more than unwavering conviction; it demands empathy, respect, and a belief in the redemptive potential of every person, even those – perhaps especially those – with whom we disagree. As pro-life students, it is important to stand firm in our advocacy in the face of hostility and peer pressure. At the same time, we must see humanity in those who disagree with us, recognizing that honest engagement can lead to understanding and transformation. 

Incidents like this only deepen our commitment to speak the truth about abortion, especially where it’s most needed. College students deserve moral clarity, and we refuse to be silent. As the pro-abortion agenda grows louder, the Pro-Life Generation will continue to offer a better way — a way marked by compassion, truth, and the unwavering defense of Life.