Whether pro-life, pro-choice or somewhere in between, abortion has caused heated debate on personal and governmental levels for several decades. Tonight, the issue takes center stage at the first annual Abortion Speakout.
\I feel our campus should be offering all sorts of viewpoints,"" said Sarah Mazzi, publicity coordinator for the Campus Women's Center. ""By doing this program, I think we're giving our side of the story.""
The event, co-sponsored by CWC, National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League-Wisconsin and the Coalition for Choice, will feature volunteers reading aloud stories of local women who have received abortions and the effect the choice had on their lives.
""Our opinion is that women's needs come first. We don't want to sound harsh or cruel or inhumane, but we believe that a women's safety, her health and her choice comes first,"" Mazzi said.
When questioned, the majority of students felt a forum of this nature was acceptable, whether or not they were pro-choice.
""Although I do not agree with the act itself, I feel there are certain situations where abortion may be an option,"" said Emily Schmidt, a UW-Madison freshman. ""The university should show both sides, even if some of us disagree.""
Emily Peterson, a UW-Madison sophomore, said she thought abortion was a legitimate option in the case of rape victims.
""There are exceptions to the traditional unwanted child, and although I am not pro-choice, I understand that,"" she said.
But not all students welcome a pro-choice event on campus.
""We feel that any form of abortion is wrong,"" said UW-Madison junior Andre Jacque, president of the Pro-Life Action League. ""A baby is a gift, a blessing from God. We want these women to know that their child is wanted."" Sheila Sunstrom, a UW-Madison junior, expressed similar sentiments.
""An event like this shows how little our campus is concerned with morals,"" she said. ""This proves that not many people here are trying to be outstanding citizens.""
Some feel that the university should take steps to make abortion an option for female students, since many women do not know where to turn.
""I am a firm believer in [the availability of abortion] on campus, but we do not have enough resources for that right now,"" Mazzi said.
But again, not all agree.
""Our campus has already agreed to not support the distribution of RU-486 [known as the day-after pill]. It is not the university's responsibility to make abortion available to anyone,"" Jacque said.
Organizers said they were prepared for protests, but were not expecting them.
""We're hoping that we won't have to deal with it, but precautions have been taken,"" Mazzi said.
The forum will take place tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Campus Women's Center.
