October 19, 2006
Graphic anti-abortion display to be on campus Oct. 25
On Wednesday, Oct. 25, an anti-abortion group called Show the Truth Washington will display signs and photographs and distribute literature on Red Square. The exhibit consists of large panels with graphic photos of genocidal events in history such as the Holocaust and the Cambodian killing fields, as well as aborted fetuses.
The organization’s homepage, http://www.iinet.com/~esauley/, indicates that the group’s visit to the UW is part of a larger tour that will include Olympia, Tacoma, Bellingham and Vancouver, Wash.
Red Square is one of the institution’s free speech areas. Anyone wishing to exercise that right can do so as long as they respect the University’s guidelines regarding time, place and manner that are designed to protect the institution’s ongoing academic activities.
The University’s Use of University Facilities Committee recently discussed the group’s visit to the campus and affirmed the importance of maintaining a campus climate that encourages free speech.
“The University of Washington is dedicated to maintaining a climate that encourages freedom of expression,” said Gus Kravas, chair of the committee. “At times, those expressions may offend and disturb. I believe this is one of those times. Because these particular images may be difficult for some people, the committee felt it was important to let the community know in advance of the visit.”
