FEBRUARY 25, 2004 Pro Life Attacking Women’s Choice By Hilda Wirth No Means No. The Pro Life group that have set up their tables at UNBC do not understand or respect that right for women. They are similar to the pushy drunks or rapists that will push mine and other women’s boundaries and will trespass on those boundaries. They have not respected my right to say NO. This may sound exaggerated and alarmist but it is NOT. The university space is not a safe place when groups such as Pro Life are allowed to trespass on my right to say NO and Not to have that right respect- ed. Pro Life used the opportunity of Breast Cancer week to spread their hate and judgment about WOMen that sup- port Pro Choice Chooses. Yes, they deliberately targeted women and used the opportunity of Breast Cancer week not to provide information but to push their views. The Pro Life did not stop at NO either. Hate is a strong work and it is applicable in this case. Men that lure women and seek opportunities to force themselves on women are considered assaultive and hateful towards women. This Pro Life group were dishonest since they did not make it clear that their table about Breast Cancer was about Pro Life’s stance on abortion . It did not pro- vide information on -breast self exams, mammograms, all the risks, alternative medical treatment but focused only on the questionable link between abortion and breast cancer. The Pro Life used the opportunity of Breast Cancer week to push their views on unsuspecting women. Men that force themselves on women look for opportunities to force them- selves on women. They lure women into their cars or apartments by not being clear and dishonest about their inten- tions. The Pro Life group was oppor- tunist in setting up the table at UNBC and using the opportunity of Breast Cancer Week to lure women who might be seeking information about breast cancer or an organization that has a genuine concern and provides resources to women, family and friends of sur- vivors or victims of breast cancer. I was targeted because of my gender and was lured to their table since I was curious to see what information or resource this group may be providing. I soon found out this table was to push Pro Life’s view and judgment about abor- tion. They have a right to express their view and belong to this organization. Walking away I expressed my opinion that I did not agree with Pro Life and felt that their information was narrow and one of the women at the table pushed a pamphlet in my hand. She did not respect my right to say NO, or my right to walk away or my expression of my difference in opinion. Instead she pushed her view by trying to force me to read and believe the pamphlet. Another incident occurred during that week of this group trespassing on boundaries of women UNBC students. I was again walking down the hallway with a friend of mine and the women at the Pro Life asked if she wanted to have information about the risks of breast cancer. I had already warned my friend about the Pro Life ploy of luring women. My friend angrily replied “NO” and stated that she was Pro Choice. Instead of respecting the right of my friend to choose not to listen to the Pro Life stance she ran after us trying again and forced us to listen to her view while pushing their pamphlets. UNBC does not provide a safe space when groups such as Pro Life are allowed to target, lure and push their views on women. Whenever women’s right of saying NO is not respected and when this is trespassed it is an assault. Opinion 7 Photo by Marlon Francesini Once again this issue, Over the Edge brings to you: beautiful naked women! Ok, well they aren't naked (obviously), but they are lovely. These girls attended this years res dance, which | assume was a great event. | mean it had to be, these three were there. The opinions expressed in the Opinion section of Over The Edge are those of their authors, and not those of Over the Edge. Letters to Editor can be submitted electronically by sending them to over-the-edge@unbc.ca