Pro-life group returns to campus with graphic abortion imagery

The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform returned to Lee’s campus today with a box truck displaying graphic images of aborted fetuses. Photo by Sydney Pressley.

The following article contains sensitive content regarding abortions.

The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform (CBR), an anti-abortion and pro-life activist group, returned to Lee University today. Volunteers from the organization drove around campus in a box truck displaying graphic images of aborted fetuses. CBR is the same group that held an anti-abortion demonstration on campus in March.

Campus Security first noticed the truck around 11:45 a.m. when Officer Aaron Shipman saw one of the demonstrators taking a picture in front of the Lee University sign.

Tony Walker, a CBR volunteer, displays his assortment of homemade “end abortion” buttons. Photo by Tyler Puckett.

“We’re just trying to keep an eye on it today,” Shipman said. “The guy with all the buttons said they’re going to be here driving around.”

While the driver continued a loop around campus, Tony Walker stepped out from the passenger seat. With an assortment of homemade “end abortion” buttons pinned to his shirt, he answered questions and talked with students. Walker, who resides in Knoxville, said he came to Lee’s campus today “to do something about this child sacrifice” in what he calls “a revival.”

“Over 3000 babies are dismembered and decapitated every day on average in this country alone,” said Walker. “Christians need to be speaking up, and Christian schools — which this is — they’re not training leaders to be speaking on this and to be encouraging and instructing others to be active.”

Walker, who was also present during the demonstration in March, said the CBR’s use of graphic images is intentional.

“You can talk for hours and it goes in one ear and out another,” he said. “In a second or two you can see these images and they stick in people’s minds … We are not protesting abortion, we’re exposing it; and through exposing, it protests itself. The only way you’re going to see it is if it's exposed.”

Senior discipleship ministry major Addison Whitten noticed the truck while walking around campus. She believes some abrasive pro-life tactics can be a source of shame toward women.

“I saw the truck earlier and really had the biggest sigh of dread,” Whitten said. “Being a ministry major, I just can’t believe that they think this is the way to convey their message to people. Shame is really never the way to go when showing people God.”

Junior health science major Blaire Terrell agrees. Even as someone who identifies as pro-life, she believes there are better ways to discuss such a sensitive topic.

“I think that there’s a much better way to promote pro-life than to drive around with pictures of things that happen during abortion,” Terrell said. “I’m pro-life, and I believe the Lord created life to be something that’s healthy and beautiful … There needs to be awareness, but I don’t believe that’s the best way to do it.”

While the CBR has previously faced heavy criticism from Lee students, Walker welcomes the controversy as a means to discussion.

“I’m always glad when opposition shows up. In fact, I have more in common with opposition than with anyone who calls themselves pro-life,” Walker said. “In this sense, they’re speaking up for what they believe. Most pro-lifers are not even willing to speak up.”

Walker’s involvement with CBR goes far beyond campus demonstrations. In addition to offering his contact information to curious bystanders, he also claims to display similar images on his personal vehicle.

“I feel I put myself out on a limb,” Walker said. “I have abortion pictures on the back of my car, and when I first put them there I thought, ‘okay, now the [expletive] is really gonna hit the fan.’ Nothing! … I get no response.”

Walker believes any indifference toward this topic arises from “fear and pride.”

“Neither one of those are godly,” Walker said. “If those things are keeping us from being active in this atrocity, then we don't have a good stand on it.”

Ethan Coombe, a senior pastoral ministries major, is the vice president of Lee for Life.

“We have a mission to give a voice to the voiceless,” Coombe said. “There is a better way to get the pro-life message out there … in a multifaceted way, we are hoping to give a voice to babies affected by abortion and their mothers.”

Coombe further emphasized that the CBR’s demonstrations are in no way affiliated with the Lee for Life club.

“We do not condone the graphic images in any way,” Coombe said. “We focus on the humanization — not on the dehumanization — of human life. We see the images as not only threatening but dehumanizing to the babies and mothers.”

While last semester’s demonstration was preceded by a letter from the CBR, the University received no correspondence about today’s display.

“The only thing we know is what they communicated to us back in the spring,” said Dr. Mike Hayes, vice president of student development. “They felt like they needed to make sure that our campus is aware of the issues they’re passionate about.”

Hayes said the administration is continuing to monitor the situation.

“As long as they’re on public streets, we definitely don’t have any response to that, because it’s a city matter,” said Hayes. “But we’re definitely monitoring it and making sure that they abide by the guidelines that the city has stipulated and also being respectful of our students … if students do have any concerns about it, they can feel free to contact our office or Campus Security.”