Eight pro-life students at the University of Calgary have been found guilty of a major violation under the non-academic misconduct policy. It isn’t quite clear what the punishment will be, but it could be a reprimand, it could be an expulsion (and a range of punishments between).
“We are going to challenge this verdict,” stated Alanna Campbell, president of Campus Pro Life said they are going to challenge the verdict, continue to defend themselves and assert their free speech rights, but that Campbell is willing to face the unjust punishment if necessary: “I’d rather be expelled as a principled person than graduate a coward.”
Last month, CPL vice president Cameron Wilson gave a powerful and defiant speech that touched on the same theme. The whole speech can be read here, but this excerpt is worth highlighting:
Our message to the University is this: do unto us whatever you desire, punish us however you wish; but our convictions shall not change, and we shall not alter our actions based on intimidation.
We shall not abandon the unborn child to be murdered.
We shall not desert the single mom in crisis.
We shall not allow the evil of abortion to remain unexposed.
We shall not be intimidated by the threat of force.
We shall not be scared by the threat of expulsion.
We shall not back down from the stand we have made.If they are to punish us, then we are content to let history revile them for their suppression of liberty.
If they are to punish us, then let the blood of the unborn child be upon their heads.
If they are to punish us then let the pain of the suffering mom be upon their conscience.
History will not remember what illegitimate excuse they used, other than as a derogative footnote; but history will remember their transgression against freedom, and it is upon this that posterity shall judge them.
So let the university do whatever action their twisted worldview sees fit, for we fear not the judgment of tyranny.
How do university administrators go to bed with a clear conscience each night knowing that they are persecuting these students with the school engaging in clear content-based censorship. Does the University of Calgary Board of Governors approve this action or are they comfortable not even broaching the topic at their meetings, hoping it will all go away? The university is making a mistake if it thinks these students can be silenced.