<p>Anyone here a about the anti-abortion protest at Ucsb?</p>
<p>Long story short- a group came on campus to protest abortion, and a feminist studies professor grabbed the poster and "abused" the teens in charge. The anti abortion group is likely to press charges against the professor/university.</p>
<p>You be the judge: <a href=“Edhat | Local News From Your Community”>Edhat | Local News From Your Community;
<p>I read about it. I wonder what really happened. </p>
<p>–</p>
<p>hm. Seems like the assault was blocking an elevator entry and saying ‘don’t touch me’ when the pro lifer tried to push in, and pushing back. </p>
<p>Having said that, I’m a believer in property rights, and don’t think the sign should have been stolen, however obnoxious the videographer was. The problem is, the way I view property rights, the students and teachers living at the campus have a ‘home’ type of right to keep people away too. I do realize that doesn’t fit the ‘public campus’ law, but I have more empathy for those who live there reacting to people who have no intrinsic business on campus who are being intentionally provocative. On the other hand, I wouldn’t be taking feminist studies classes anyhow, not being drawn to identity politics, and this episode doesn’t improve my opinion of that type of politics.</p>
<p>So, what are the damages in the court case going to be, return of the sign?</p>
<p>They could also press criminal charges for assault/battery. This story also got national coverage on Fox News today, so I wonder what will happen to the professor. </p>
<p>Did you watch the video? It seemed like the initial ‘assault’ came from the pro life person trying to shove someone back so they could get into the elevator. The shovee pushed back. (PS criminal battery requires physical damage.)</p>
<p>The professor (a full one? One wonders.) deserves what she gets, she bought this. She was being just as in your face as they were and they have (until they shoved the woman in the elevator) the law on their side. I can’t see this amounting to much of anything, to be honest.</p>
<p>How exciting…something political at UCSB. How did they get enough people off the beach and were there enough bike parking spaces nearby? BTW…I have a kiddle who goes here…love the place…actually love the general “live and let live life is too great - be sure to put on your sunscreen before our cram session at the lagoon” attitude. B-) </p>
<p>If I were the professor I’d just call security to escort the provocateurs off campus. I wouldn’t want to confiscate their sign because they are really looking just looking for a reaction. Don’t think the “charges” will get very far because I’m not sure they have a right to picket on the campus without permission. I imagine there are time, place, manner restrictions on their claim to free speech. There may also be limits on their right to videotape others in a campus building. </p>
<p>I’m pro-life myself, but I also believe in doing things in an orderly and respectful manner. Intruding into a campus as a non-student is not okay. They have no business in disturbing the peace at UCSB.</p>
<p>I saw another article saying there is a university condition to being able to use the ‘free speech zone’ that they have to file with the administration and also post warning signs before people come into sight that there are going to be graphic images, and the group apparently did neither. Since the video doesn’t actually show what happened and how the teacher got the sign, and since the other accounts refute a considerable amount of what the pro life group said (anyone see bloody gouges from fingernails in that video?) I’m wondering if the sign wasn’t simply confiscated as being in violation of University regulations of place and manner of speech. </p>
<p>LOL! @dietz199 That’s sure how I remember it. There are all kinds of people at all large universities, and there will be protests when people feel strongly, but UCSB students seem to have other things to do than protest, more often than not.</p>
<p>@Lilliana330 I don’t think anyone was opposing the viewpoint being expressed, just the manner. Apparently this is a militantly radical group calling itself Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust and they use shock tactics, which by definition, aren’t popular.</p>
<p>@collegevetting I know, I wasn’t implying that anyone was lol. I was criticizing the group only.</p>
<p>Looks like there may be consequences for the ranting prof…</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.independent.com/news/2014/mar/21/ucsb-professor-charged-theft-and-battery-after-con/”>http://www.independent.com/news/2014/mar/21/ucsb-professor-charged-theft-and-battery-after-con/</a></p>
<p>I understand she isn’t American born and raised, but I have seen that same fuzzy thinking in people who HAVE been American born and raised. A right doesn’t exist because you are angered by someone. It seems she did snatch the sign, so that isn’t ok. However, the students, from another article, violated the University restrictions on place and manner by not filing for permission to be there and, (and this goes to the rights of the students not to see that stuff), by not posting before you come into sight signs saying there are going to be graphic images. I also highly doubt the bloody scratches claim having watched the video, none of those people were remotely violent and no one mentioned any scratches at the time, there was just some pushing at the elevator (started by the protesters). </p>
<p>Well, this is what courts are for, in a manner of speaking. As a tax payer I’d prefer they be reserved for something more consequential. However, much as I dislike the manner of the protesters, free speech does need protection and with the knowledge that precedent guides decisions in the future, I have to hope good precedent is followed.</p>