The Abortion Debate
Abortion has been a hot topic on George Mason’s campus with documentation of student protests from as early as 1992. In April of 1992, Pro-Life students adorned the quad with 180 graves in order to "commemorate the number of abortions performed every hour in the United States." Some of the graves were decorated with names of women who had died as a result of legal abortions. This demonstration was organized by GMU United for Life, a student-led pro-life organization on campus whose goal was to educate women so they can make a decision prior to becoming pregnant according to their co-president.
An hour after the demonstration began the Women's coalition stood across from them with Pro-Choice signs such as "Keep abortion safe and legal." While no physical altercations emerged, students were seen hotly debating the issue from across the quad. A student member of the National Organization for women stated that the Pro-Choice side does not want people to get abortions, but believes the choice is up to the woman.
While no other large pro-life demonstrations were common after this event, local religious groups have made their opinion on the matter clear with frequent visitations to the mason campus to denounce abortion. This is seen as early as 1995 with a religious demonstrator being featured in the yearbook boasting a sign that says “God Hates Sin” and lists many groups under this sin umbrella such as “abortionists.”
A notable pro-life demonstration from religious protestors is one in 2007, in which protesters from Life and Liberty Ministries came to Mason to advocate against abortion by standing behind signs displaying graphic images of abortion and handing out literature from their church to passing students. These protestors were met with counter protests from students such as the passing out of free condoms by representatives of the Health and Wellness Center. Other students reported that the Pro-Life protestors had been harassing students such as calling them "immoral bastards" and saying they "probably had a number of diseases." When the Pro-Life protestors were asked about this, they denied the accusations.
2007 was a hot year for abortion demonstrations with GMU Students for Life hosting an event called "Where have all the pregnant women gone?" less than a week later. The event featured speakers such as Jessica O'Connor Petts who spoke of her personal history with abortion at this event describing her abortion at "mechanical rape." Students from the organization stood outside with signs such as "Pro woman=Pro Life" and "We care for future moms."
These moments illustrate how debates over reproductive rights have repeatedly surfaced at Mason, drawing students, campus organizations, and outside religious groups into highly visible public exchanges. The presence of these demonstrations illustrate the issue’s long-standing prominence in campus life and its capacity to mobilize passionate responses across generations.