Petition to dissolve new Liverpool Uni pro-life societies reaches almost 9,000 signatures

The societies were created at both the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University

1 month ago

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A new Pro-Life Society has been created at both the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, and will serve as part of an “overarching pro-life society across the Liverpool universities”.

Claiming to “promote the fundamental right to human dignity of all people, especially unborn babies and pregnant women, the terminally ill and the disabled”, a new Instagram page for the societies was created yesterday, Thursday 19th September.

Following the launch, a petition to dissolve the societies was created and which has since received over 8,500 signatures in one day.

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A post shared by Liverpool Pro-Life Society (@liverpoolprolife)

Created by Lilly Crisp, the petition passed its initial goal of 7,500 signatures, with the goal being raised to 10,000. An Instagram account named @liverpoolprochoice has also been created, which claims to be “Creating a safe space to advocate for women and the right to choose what they want to do with their bodies.”

This move comes in light of the creation of a pro-life society at the University of Manchester in February this year, which resulted in a similar petition to dissolve the society, and which meetings required police protection for pro-life protestors.

The mission statement of Liverpool Pro-Life Society is to “protect the sanctity of life, [aiming] to help educate our members on issues so that they can cultivate a pro-life space for students, as well as support students who become pregnant during their studies”.

Presided by two men, the University of Liverpool’s pro-life society shared a “meet the committee” post. President Robert Sturman wrote: “I’m pro-life because I don’t care about politics: I care about women and babies”.

Vice-president Samuel Guiho wrote: “I’m pro-life because no man has the right to decide who must die.”

LJMU Pro-Life president, Rosie, wrote in her introduction that she is pro-life because “real healthcare doesn’t end life”, whilst vice-president Marysia explained her pro-life stance because she believes “human life is sacred”. The society intends to operate between both LJMU and UOL campuses with activities and socials held across both campuses.

Comments on the society Instagram page have since been disabled. The society is using its page to promote its Alma Mater Fund, a scheme which provides financial support to young mothers whilst they study at university.

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A post shared by Liverpool Pro-Life Society (@liverpoolprolife)

Commenters on the @liverpoolprochoice Instagram account have sparked debate about how the prevalence and activity of the society may be harmful to female students, and the censoring of their bodily autonomy.

One commenter wrote: “[The petition] is to ban hateful speech and rhetoric that perpetuates the idea that women should not have access to healthcare and bodily autonomy”, said one commenter, in defence of pro-choice beliefs.”

However one pro-life commenter wrote that abortion in response to rape-related pregnancy is “killing an innocent life [which] I don’t believe is right. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

The University of Liverpool and Liverpool Guild of Students released a joint statement on Friday morning, where they thanked students who shared their “thoughts on this matter”.

The statement acknowledged student response to the society, but detailed how all societies, including the Pro-Life Society, are required to follow the same code of conduct. The statement read: “The Guild recognises that our members will not always agree with every society, and that there can be disagreement between different groups. We are committed to facilitating respectful, inclusive debate. As with all Guild societies, this new group will have to follow the Code of Conduct, which seeks to create an environment where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect.”

Citing, the Guild explained that it unable to reject the society unless it breaks the law: “As part of the University’s Policy and Code of Practice Regarding Freedom of Speech, which is in line with legislation, the Guild is required to ensure that individuals and groups are free, within the law, to hold meetings or other activities “regardless of the beliefs, views, policies or objectives of that individual or body.

“This means that the Guild is unable to turn down a proposal for a society simply on the basis of that group’s ideas or views, unless those opinions break the law. The Guild’s requirement to protect free speech means that, even if our democratic structures were to decide that they did not wish to approve a particular society, we would be unable to act on that direction, as doing so would be in breach of our obligations to protect free speech.”

Detailing support to students affected by the society, the statement added: “We understand the concerns raised about women’s rights on campus, and we maintain our support and commitment to women’s rights. Our joint priority remains ensuring that all students feel safe and supported.”

UoL Students seeking support can access it here. and LJMU students can find support here.

The Liverpool Pro-Life Committee at the University of Liverpool and LJMU declined to comment.