“Make abortion illegal again”? Controversy at Monmouth university

October 6 Monmouth University's Catholic Campus Ministry's Club held the virtual event 'Make Abortion Illegal Again.' The event is still sparking outrage among several students and organizations at the university who are pro-choice.

The private institution, however not a private religious college, permitted one of their clubs to host an event that not only condemns abortion, but suggests it be considered a crime.

An email criticizing the event from the Gender Studies and Intersectionality Club and was distributed to the university students, where it eventually made its way to higher-ups in the University. The email condemned the event in support of a woman's right to choose and stated that reproductive rights are "imperative" and "should not be up for debate."

This email also stated that the event speaker spread misinformation, 'was unwilling to have an open conversation about reproductive freedoms,' and had little factual or verifiable information that would be necessary, especially in an 'educational setting,' as reported by students who attended the event. The email also states that 'the event was insensitive and degrading to our students who have needed abortions and to those who may need them in the future.'

"If abortion is made illegal again, as the event's speaker advocates for, many more women will risk their lives as they join the 20 million women that desperately turn to unsafe abortions each year."

In addition to the Gender Studies and Intersectionality Club, the following clubs were added to the bottoms of the email, signifying their support: Global & Community Practice Action Group, Students for Systemic Change, Tau Chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., The Sociology Club, Food Recovery Network, P.U.S.H. (Professors United for a Safe Haven), Program for Gender and Intersectionality Studies Executive Team, Black and African Diaspora Forum United, and S.P.E.C.T.R.U.M. (Sexuality, Pride, Education, Community, Truth, Respect, and Unity at Monmouth).

Once the original email petition gained attention, a response email was sent from Daniel Q., speaking on behalf of the Monmouth University (MU) College Republicans. The vice president for student services at Monmouth distributed Daniel's email on his behalf, since the original email from the Gender Studies and Intersectionality Club was distributed to all students.

In Daniel's email he explains that the event was not misleading nor misogynistic like the original email stated, as the event was hosted by a woman, and that sources for the information were provided in the chat and discussions were held despite the event not being advertised as an open debate. He opened the email by exhibiting the group's support for the Catholic Campus Ministry's event.

"The Monmouth University College Republicans are proud to step up and support the Catholic Campus Ministry's 'Make Abortion Illegal Again' event hosted on Monday evening. As a campus club with diversity of thought surrounding the issue of abortion and one that promotes free speech, we believe that everyone should take issue regarding the current debate on abortion."

Daniel explained that he is speaking on behalf of the diverse views on abortion within the MU College Republicans.

Club representatives and executive board members of the Gender Studies and Intersectionality club commented on the issue for this piece:

"The Gender Studies and Intersectionality Club are proponents of freedom of speech. These freedoms include our rights to criticize and condemn the perspective shared in the event. Lastly, we refute the notion that just because the event's host was a woman, it was not misogynistic. Women have also been complacent in endorsing misogynistic views."

The original email presented by the Gender Studies and Intersectionality Club quoted the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the right to decide whether or not to bear a child: as it "…is something central to a woman's life, to her dignity. It is a decision she must make for herself. And when the government controls that decision for her, she is being treated as less than a full adult human responsible for her own choice."

In Daniel's response to this email, he also quoted the late justice and called attention to the government's role in murder:

"A quote from the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg follows this statement which says, 'And when the government controls that decision for her, she is being treated as less than a full adult human responsible for her own choice.' We point to the fact that the government, better known as the courts, do control what happens when another human being is murdered."

"When confronted between right and wrong, stand up for the right point of view, even if it is in the minority," Daniel commented.

This is not the first event held by Monmouth University's Catholic Campus Ministry that amplifies the topic of abortion. In February of this year, the group hosted a showing of the movie Unplanned, a story about a former pro-choice Planned Parenthood facility director Abby Johnson's switch to the pro-life movement.

Students have taken to social media criticizing Monmouth's lack of control on the ongoing situation and for allowing debates to occur via mass email.

It is important to note that the Catholic Campus Ministries Club promoted the event as a Monmouth University event, however the University did not sponsor or approve this event, according to the Gender Studies and Intersectionality Club's email.

Also within the email is the statement that follows, given by the Gender Studies and Intersectionality Club.

"We assert that this program fails to align with Monmouth University's mission of promoting diversity, inclusion and equity for all campus members. In contributing to the spread of misinformation, this event is also misaligned with Monmouth University's mission for intellectual and educational excellence."

Monmouth University has yet to release a statement in condemnation or support of the event. The university was not asked to comment for this article.