Hate Crime?

This past Monday, I received a disturbing call from Phil Eddy, our Northeast Regional Coordinator, telling me that he had just heard from Sara, Founder of the University of Buffalo (UB) Students for Life group and SFLA Wilberforce Fellow, who said: 

that the Cemetery of Innocents display that the Students for Life group put up Sunday evening, memorializing the innocent lives lost to abortion, was completely torn up by four unknown vandals!

Sara then told Phil that a blurry campus surveillance video showed four individuals methodically ripping up each and every cross and sign making up the display, and disposing of them in trash bags.

Last night, Phil and I had an emergency call with Sara, and Phil posted notes from our call on his blog:

"After the events of Monday, members of the UB Students for Life kept a watchful eye on the display throughout the day on Tuesday, and, at one point, they witnessed a small group of angry women forming around the display.  Two began to rip up the crosses, and someone described as 'older, at least 40 years old, and possibly a faculty member' reportedly yelled 'Hey ladies, let's start a riot.'  This incited six more people to begin tearing up crosses, and they continued until campus police arrived.

In total eight people were caught vandalizing the display Monday and Tuesday and at least one of them is facing criminal charges - the arresting officer insinuating that they might be charged with a Hate Crime." 

If so, this would be the first time - that we're aware of  - in which individuals would be charged with committing a hate crime for vandalizing a pro-life display.

Sadly, this is not the first time students at the University of Buffalo - or other pro-life students from across the country - have been targeted with violence for their beliefs. You may recall that back in May, I wrote to you about the vandalism that the UB Students for Life group endured during their first event on campus. Truly, this group is making an impact on their campus.

I am so proud of Sara and the UB Students for Life group for standing strong in the face of such overwhelming adversity. Phil is traveling up to Buffalo as soon as possible to be there to support them in case they face backlash, which we are expecting, from the school administration.  
And we are also planning a follow-up event to show the the University of Buffalo that pro-life students are strong and will NOT let their beliefs be swayed by a group of cowards.

Today, call the University of Buffalo and tell them that you support UB Students for Life and their right to be on campus. Let them know that these acts of vandalism are wrong, and they need to do something to protect the free speech of pro-lifers on campus! Call the UB Department of Student Activities at (716)-645-2055 or UB Student Activities Head, Kerry Spicer, at (716) 645-2055. 
No matter what, we will continue to fight and to provide support to you as you fight for the most defenseless among us.

I know we will win in the end because the truth is on our side! Thank you for everything you do for the preborn and their mothers.

For Life, 

Kristan Hawkins
Executive Director, Students for Life of America

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