OUR OPINION: The Students for Life have every right to display graphic photos, and any protesters should respect freedom of speech.

Students for Life invited Justice for All, an organization seeking to increase public opposition to abortion, to set up a display in the Brickyard.

The 20-foot-tall, 40-foot-wide display contained graphic images of aborted fetuses, which may have disturbed some people.

While the images were extremely graphic, the Students for Life had every right to display these photos. In the interests of free speech, there is no reason why these photos should be taken down.

Sarah Hardin, sophomore in communication and events coordinator for the N.C. State chapter of Students for Life, said the display is supposed to be graphic and disturbing. She said the intent behind the photos of aborted fetuses is meant to grab people’s attention and inform them abortions are not simply terminated pregnancies.

Hardin said the displays are not intended to incite heated debate and confrontation. She said Justice for All specifically trains the volunteers working at the display to encourage a calm, reasonable dialogue about abortion.

Hardin also said having the displays in a more controlled environment would limit the message, and the overall goal is for a transparent discussion of the issues.

There is no basis for moving or taking down the display. Yes, the images are graphic — but if anti-abortion groups wish to shock people with disturbing images of aborted fetuses, they have every right to do so. 

If students are concerned about possible biases from having only a one-sided display in the Brickyard, then they should stop complaining and start working. Everyone has a right to free speech, and anyone with a permit may display or say what they wish in the Brickyard.

Demanding the University remove or censor the Justice for All’s graphic display is not legal.

Hardin said the Students for Life would not protest any display or demonstration from pro-choice supporters.

If the goal is a real, reasonable discussion about abortion or any other controversial subject, then removing the Brickyard display is not the way to get there.

Stop calling for moving the images to a more controllable place or censoring the photos due to their graphic nature. Go out, make your own display and make your point.