Horrific online attacks against the University of Southern Maine’s Huskies for Life club are making headlines this holiday week — as they should, since a USM student reportedly threatened fellow students, posting on Yik Yak, “these Charlie Kirk enthusiasts gotta be careful don’t they know what happened to that guy.”

Screen shots show the kind of harassment that SFLA leaders sometime endure. Disturbing messages were sent to the Huskies for Life Instagram page, the comments section of their posts were loaded with negative remarks, and some apparent students were even attempting to spread the name of the club advisor to dox him. (Joke’s on them: He’s a proud conservative and welcomes the debate.)

Despite social media opposition, however, the student leaders are standing strong, and I could see their potential to be great pro-life student leaders the moment I met them.

In early September, I drove to USM to do what I do: publicly defend and advocate for the sanctity of human life in a free-speech zone at a public campus and try to start a Students for Life of America group on campus. USM was fair and professional in granting access to a high-traffic area on campus, and the day was filled with serious conversations about an essential question: When does life begin?

The day continued civilly, some students disgruntled but respectfully debating me, but amid the discussions, I noticed two young women — quiet, attentive, clearly pro-life — who decided to pull aside a pro-choice student themselves for a long private conversation. About 30 minutes later, they walked back to my table, a mix of nerves and resolve in their eyes, and one said:

“That’s the first time I’ve told anyone on this campus I’m pro-life.”

I shook her hand.

“Congratulations,” I told her. “Your life starts today.”

Her name was Jadyn Carrigan.

A few minutes later she introduced her best friend, Abby Patenaude, equally bold, equally faithful, equally ready to step into the fight. From the beginning, it was clear that these girls were hungry; they were in.

Throughout the day I spoke with several other students, men and women, who said they were pro-life and wanted to help, but Jadyn hung around. She waited while I packed up, asked questions, and wanted counsel.

We walked the USM campus and discussed what starting a pro-life group in a largely secular environment would take.

She wondered: Would she be accepted? Could she be authentic? What would happen if she publicly aligned her life with her values?

I told her plainly that being a Christian out loud isn’t just acceptable — it’s essential. Fear can change the world, but not for the better. Positive culture change comes from faith, not fear.

She took that to heart.

Within weeks, Jadyn and Abby had formed Huskies for Life, the first pro-life club on the campus. The administration approved it without significant obstruction. And almost immediately, protests materialized in response. Two separate demonstrations were planned before the group had even hosted its first official meeting.

I advised the girls to stay away, not out of fear but out of prudence, and to hold their ground, stay rooted in God, and don’t fear the noise.

Meanwhile, the anonymous social-media app Yik Yak began lighting up with smears against the newly formed group. Students took cheap shots in an attempt to intimidate fellow students who simply decided to stand for Life by loving mothers and preborn children.

The comment evoking the tragic death of Charlie Kirk hit home for me as I worked for and with Charlie at Turning Point just last year, before I joined SFLA. Charlie was a staunch defender of Life and a good friend of SFLA.

The Instagram posts, personal messages, and more that try to intimidate and discourage the group at USM have been to no avail. USM’s Department of Public Safety has been made aware of the situation, because one thing is clear.

We won’t stop fighting and speaking up for Life — and we have even gained members due to the publicity that the protests garnered. We encourage every college and university in the state of Maine to be emboldened and to start an SFLA group at your school. Pro-life ideals are not a problem to be hidden; they are true, good, and beautiful.

My encouragement to all students: Do not be shy because of a few loud opposing voices. Life matters more.