Students for Life gather in the Diag to protest abortion

By Kristen Beaumont

Daily Staff Reporter

Students gathered in the Diag last night for a silent candlelight vigil to show their opposition to the upcoming anniversary of the historic Roe v. Wade decision of 1973.

The vigil was organized by Students for Life as a protest against abortion and a celebration of life, Students for Life President Andrew Shirvell said.

"We're here to remember the 35 to 40 million babies that have been aborted since 1973," he said. "This is just a pure silent witness to gain a sense that there has been a huge loss in our generation because we have grown up with Roe v. Wade and because we have lost potential friends to abortion."

Shirvell, an LSA junior, said the vigil has been held for the past four years but that this year saw the best turnout so far, with almost 45 students participating.

Lia Santoro, vice president of Students for Life and an Engineering senior, said, "I'm just glad that I'm not alone to remember the 40 million babies that have died since Roe v. Wade. I think it would be a shame if these lives went unnoticed."

Shirvell stressed that the students were not gathered for political reasons.

"We are not all about radical tactics," he said. "All human life is valuable."

Other students shared the sentiments of Shirvell and Santoro.

"We're just out here to show our support for the dignity of the unborn. It's a beautiful way to show our silent protest," said Erin Robichaud, an LSA junior and three-year member of Students for Life.

Students from other schools also took part in the vigil.

"One-third of our generation has been killed by abortion. These people would have been our roommates, our friends, our wives and our husbands," said Matt Bowman, a student at the Ave Maria School of Law. "We are here to commit ourselves to see that the next generation makes it out of the womb and has a chance to live and to grow."

Students at the rally stressed they were simply celebrating the rights of the unborn.

"I think the vigil speaks for itself. There's nothing political about it. There is a little more to it than conservative versus liberal," said Rob Shereda, an LSA junior.

SAM HOLLENSHEAD/Daily

Anders Hendrickson holds a candle while attending a Right to Life vigil in the Diag last night.