Anti-abortion protests at Sac State spark complaints

Members of Project Truth spent the past two days on the Sacramento State campus protesting abortions by displaying large posters showing graphic images of mutilated, bloody fetuses and offering anti-abortion pamphlets in the quad area, sparking complaints from students and staff, including Sacramento State President Robert S. Nelsen.

“After receiving complaints and messages of concern yesterday, I feel that it is important to let you know that a group with large, graphic images of fetuses is continuing to protest on our campus today near the library quad,” Nelsen said in an email Tuesday .

“If these images are upsetting to you and if you feel that they are as inappropriate as I do, then I encourage you to avoid that area,” said Nelsen, explaining that the group has the right to protest under the First Amendment.

Project Truth, as described on the Life Legal Defense Foundation web site, is a volunteer-based group that travels to California campuses to educate students about abortion and its consequences. The group concluded its two-day visit Tuesday.

Don Wilberforce, a Project Truth volunteer, said abortion is a “tragedy in America.”

“We are trying to reach out to the people and the students that are on campus and give them the full information,” Wilberforce said.

He said many students who approach him think an abortion is “taking out a pink blob.”

The graphic photos showed severed small fetuses in gloved hands. One showed a fetus head in wire clamps.

Felicia Vasquez, 20, a Sacramento State senior, said, “I think it’s terrible. I think there are people on campus that have had abortions and they have to relive that.” She also says she feels some may have felt guilty about it after seeing the images.

Brandon Luna, 19, a Sacramento State sophomore, said he found the images “uncomfortable and graphic.”

“Just to see it kind of gets you thinking … it’s a reality,” he said when he saw the images.

Nelsen said in his email that students who are disturbed by the graphic images should consider visiting counseling services in the WELL on campus. University staff should contact the Human Resources department if they feel concerned, Nelsen wrote.

This story was originally published October 18, 2016 at 10:39 AM with the headline "Anti-abortion protests at Sac State spark complaints."