Annual Cemetery for the Innocents draws attention from both sides of abortion issue

By Zina Shulman

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 03/29/2007

Matt Carson | Exponent Photographer

Students discuss their views on abortion at the

sponsored by

A student organization aroused opposition while commemorating the loss of children's lives due to abortion.

Members of Students for Life, a pro-life group, spent the night defending their stance as they began setting up crosses for the annual Cemetery for the Innocents on Purdue's Memorial Mall.

"Last night some girl came by and started pulling up the crosses," said Curtis Verner, a junior in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and president of the organization. "It made for a long night."

Every year, Students for Life commemorates the loss of unborn babies by setting up a cemetery of crosses. Each cross represents two children lost to abortion each day, said Verner. There were 1,800 crosses standing.

As the day progressed, many people demonstrated support for the cause.

"A lot of people have stopped by and showed support," Verner said.

Others stopped by to raise opposing viewpoints. Verner said the organization was open to discussing the issue with anyone who wanted to talk.

Members of Voices for Planned Parenthood and the National Organization for Women set up a tent near the cemetery in defense of pro-choice. Jennifer Quintana, a senior in the College of Liberal Arts, held a sign reminding onlookers that pro-choice does not mean pro-death.

"We wanted to make sure both sides were represented," she said.