Confronted with insults like this, some of our more volatile members might be provoked to take matters into their own hands. Although MIT Pro-Life would strongly oppose retaliation through any means other than official channels, we cannot be responsible for the actions of individual members acting on their own behalf. Our paramount concern, however, is not only for our 150 members, but also for the group Women Exploited By Abortion. This group's only purpose is to act as a resource to women who have been physically or emotionally scared by abortion. It is unfortunate that these women, already victimized by abortion, were forced to face this disgusting display of hostility, but it is also unfortunate that MIT women who may have had unpleasant abortions are forced to endure the insults of MEM on a regular basis.
Free speech is one concern, but defamation of character is another.
WEBA serves a very useful purpose, and we cannot stand by silently while their reputation is slandered. In the event that MIT does not take action against MEM, we will certainly encourage WEBA to take legal action against both MIT and the members of MEM on the grounds of libel. Although our group has no objection to students expressing viewpoints which conflict with our own, we do object to harassment, personal attacks, and obscenity. Their display contains no factual discussion or any material which could be useful in understanding the abortion issue. MIT Pro-Life would like MEM to cease to be recognized as an official student group.