Members of the Student Leadership Council clean up the chalk messages left by the Students for Life club at the Albany LBCC campus. Photo by Emily Goodykoontz
On Tuesday, Oct. 25, members of the Students For Life Club wrote pro-life statements in chalk around the LBCC campus. While the school received emails and complaints on behalf of offended students, others supported the club’s messages.
Lucas San Nicholas, a former club member and supporter spoke out in in response to the controversy.
“I totally understand how people can see a lot of this info as “negative,” said Nicholas. “Ultimately, our goal is to help as many people as we can and spread compassion and help to those in need. However, a significant part of that goal is to spread the science, truth and statistics regarding abortion. Unfortunately, abortion is, in itself, an extremely ‘negative’ topic, no matter how you approach it. In my opinion, it is the worst injustice our world has ever known. As much as we’d love a 100 percent positive way to speak out against it, it is just inherently a negative thing. Our club never aims to upset, shame or harm anyone in any way. However, that being said, it is not our responsibility or even a possibility to ensure that every single person feels positive around our events regarding such a controversial topic. We go to great lengths, planning and training to be as sensitive as possible. But at the end of the day, we are still speaking out against one of the most sensitive triggers that exists. Abortion.”
Another problem that occurred was the placement and rules regarding the chalk. According to Sophia Metzler, student leadership coordinator, messages are only permitted in areas that receive rainfall, and the club chalked covered areas across campus.
“We did get permission to do the chalk, and that our club was unaware of the breezeway rule and that it hadn’t been a problem at past chalking events,” said the club’s president Elizabeth Lang.
Members of the Student Leadership Council washed the chalk off the pavement in areas that were not permitted.
Story by Kendall LaVaque