Theft is a slippery slope, and the abortion lobby has fallen right down the side of the Moral Mountain and straight off the cliff. That is why it’s no surprise that abortion supporters who believe it’s fine to steal someone’s life also think it’s fine to steal someone’s stuff. If it’s okay to kill someone, who cares about the lesser evils, right?  

This seems to be the logic exhibited on campuses nationwide as Students for Life of America groups regularly face violence, harassment, and thievery from pro-abortion students when they speak up for Life. A recent incident at Syracuse University in New York showcased this discrimination.

SFLA Northeast Regional Coordinator Penelope Rose had been asked to table outside of the student center with the Syracuse University College Republicans during the afternoon that day. Using SFLA’s What is a Person? tabletop and fetal models to engage with students of all stripes on the topic of abortion and personhood, Rose reported that the event had been very productive. Around 5PM that day, the table became particularly busy with “a whole crowd of pro-abortion students around having conversations.” It was at this point, when Rose and the pro-life students were thoroughly distracted by thoughtful discourse, that an abortion supporter decided to strike.  

After all, that is the thing about the abortion lobby: they take advantage of the vulnerable, in or out of the womb.  

In a moment caught on camera and witnessed by student Ryan Pelletier, a female pro-abortion peer grabbed SFLA’s 16-week fetal model and ran off. Pelletier stated, “I was very disappointed. Thankfully, I turned around and spotted who stole it. I just want to be able to express my opinion without this kind of thing happening. I’m not even that angry, more just disappointed.” 

Shocked, Pelletier informed Rose, who filed a campus police report later that night. The next day, the SFLA team was notified that the officer in charge had recovered the fetal model, and the suspect had been identified. She had admitted to the crime, but the case is still currently in the investigation process. 

SFLA has pressed charges for the theft of property because our students do deserve the chance to express their opinions without fear of retribution — and sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Instead, it’s one we see all too often.  

It’s definitely not Rose’s first rodeo with this form of retaliation, either.  

She said, “Unfortunately, I’ve had some fetal models stolen before. The first time happened at Binghamton University, and those students actually tried to eat those fetal models! They were chewing them up in their mouths.  

“I don’t remember having a conversation with the student who stole the models, but she is present in our photos of the crowd and definitely heard us speak. If she didn’t like what we had to say, she could have further engaged or left. However, when abortion supporters no longer have an argument, it seems they feel empowered to take our property. They think they can “win” by those means. I’m not surprised the fetal model was stolen. Since pro-abortion students are so passionate about their right to kill actual human children in the fetal stage, it makes complete sense they would have no respect toward our fetal models.”  

To see other instances of SFLA’s fetal models being stolen, read our stories on Binghamton University, Hunter College, Onondaga Community College. To check out other incidents of theft specific to the Fall 2025 semester, read about instances at Harvard University, Middle Tennessee State University, and the University of Washington-Bothell.  

We will continue to press for justice because pro-life speech is free speech. If we don’t protect our own right to speak up for the vulnerable, we will never be able to protect them. That is what the abortion lobby wants, but the Pro-Life Generation will stand strong and won’t give them that satisfaction.  

If you mess with the right to Life, we’ll meet you on the sidewalks of communities and in statehouses to tangibly support families and fight for legal equal rights for all.  

If you mess with the right to free speech, we’ll see you in court to demand our First Amendment dues.

We will not stay quiet through injustice.