On April 15th, around noon, the UCF Students for Life of America (SFLA) chapter hosted an anti-abortion protest on campus, during which students marched from the Student Union patio to Memory Mall before tabling for the afternoon following the event.
The event kicked off with the president of SFLA, third-year Jasmine Stewart, acknowledging the organizations that attended the march and delivering a speech to underscore the event’s importance, asking participants to conduct themselves appropriately before making their move.
The march was peaceful. There were no counterprotesters, nor any direct opposition from students, though many passersby would stop in their tracks to film and watch the protest unfold as participants chanted the same slogan repeatedly while playing Christian worship music.
Organizers said the goal of the protest was to spread awareness on the topic of abortion and advocate for the protection of unborn children. Right now, it remains a deeply debated issue in the United States with strong views on both sides.
“What we are talking about is the mass death of real human beings,” said Stewart. “If what we’re saying about abortion is true, we’re talking the largest genocide our world has ever seen.”
Students who attended the march cited numerous reasons why this protest was important to them, including that the topic had impacted their personal lives and helped shape their perspectives.
Avery Witt, a third-year, had personal ties with this event, highlighting how she knew someone who had been affected by an unplanned pregnancy.
“I’ve known a few people in my life who have gotten pregnant under unfair circumstances… Both times, they have kept their baby and loved that baby,” she replied when asked about her personal experiences regarding this topic.
A second-year student and president of Young Americans for Freedom, David Brandt, expressed his own reasoning for joining the movement.
“I know a person who was supposed to be aborted, and his story is very moving, and ever since hearing it, I’ve felt the need to take a stand and be part of a movement that supports life for all children.”
Students framed their views in different ways of what pro-life meant to them when asked to describe it in their own words. Some took a literal, scientific perspective, while others emphasized the importance of community support.
“Both caring for the baby, no matter how small… and also caring for the baby once they are born… Everybody needs the village, and I feel like that’s what people struggle with when they find out they’re pregnant,” said Ashlyn Riley, another third-year.
The students also reflected on how the issue is perceived on campus, with some describing it as divided or unclear.
“In my experience in debating people on this campus, there isn’t a very strong consensus on pro-abortion or pro-life…” said Matthew Lloyd, another second-year student.
As students dispersed, many stayed to set up for tabling and talk in small groups, extending the conversation beyond the protest itself.
The march remains a focal point on college campuses, reflecting a broader, ongoing debate that sparks conversation nationwide. Stewart, the main organizer, says she plans for SFLA to return in the fall with more opportunities for expansion and hosting meetings to raise awareness.
Note: Knight News reporters arrived at the scene in an attempt to gauge both sides of the political spectrum. While we were unable to do so, we strive to maintain a level of political neutrality.
