On Monday, March 10, Villanovans returned to campus from Spring Break, expecting to return to classes and campus activities as normal. However, Villanovans were surprised when five unexpected visitors stationed themselves on the corner of Ithan and Lancaster Avenue.
Five male members of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) held a pro-life demonstration across from the John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts. The group forcibly handed out its conservative pamphlets relating to abortion as students passed by.
The group is not affiliated with Villanova. Public safety officers were loosely monitoring the demonstration, but because it occurred on public property, the group could not be escorted off campus.
The five men ranged in age and were dressed in military garb. They played the bagpipes and held up flags and signs.
One of the signs read, “Abortion is a daily 9/11.” Another sign read, “Honk if you survived an abortion.”
Some members of the student body were upset by this demonstration and encounter. Some women on campus reported feeling upset and offended by the group’s brash nature.
Co-President of The Space, sophomore Sophia Lemmons, expressed her thoughts regarding the demonstration.
“Regardless of where you stand politically or on that issue, that type of jargon is not productive and it is harmful and upsetting, regardless of where you sit,” Lemmons said.
The Space is a student-run organization on campus that advocates for reproductive justice both on and off Villanova’s campus. It was formed in 2022 after the overturn of Roe v. Wade to provide students a space to talk while feeling both safe and heard.
Today, it is composed of a six-person executive board. While there are around 30 active members, the organization’s GroupMe has about 200 members.
During the demonstration on Monday, members of The Space were particularly outraged.
“At some point in the morning to afternoon yesterday, we started getting texts from our members and people about this demonstration out on Ithan Avenue at the intersection,” Lemmons said. “They were just militant, hateful, they were a very disruptive presence. They did not respect people’s space or boundaries, or the fact that no means no, disinterest means disinterest.”
Sophomore Ally Lombardo, The Space Event Coordinator, did not understand why the group decided to protest on Villanova’s campus.
“I feel like there are not a lot of young college students that are going to join their cause,” Lombardo said. “I could be wrong about that, but I feel that maybe their goal wasn’t to get people to join their organization, but more so just to make a scene and to make themselves martyrs in a way.”
The Space executive board members created an Instagram story, informing its followers about the demonstration. The post included information about the group, its message and the fact that the demonstration occurred on public property.
“We were all very frustrated, obviously,” Lombardo said. “I know some people get very upset. I personally try not to let that kind of thing affect me, because, like, at the end of the day, I know what I believe, and they know what they believe…there’s not going to be a productive conversation between the two of us. So, they can exist in their realm, and I will exist in mine.”
The Space has dealt with numerous challenges given that it is a university-funded organization on a Catholic campus. The executive board members have frequently advocated to change their organization’s name from The Space to “Villanovans for Reproductive Justice.” They have continuously been told no by the University.
“We are here, and people that are passionate or feel alone are not alone, and there are other people that are passionate and dedicated to advocating for reproductive justice,” Lemmons said.
The Space is going to continue pushing for its cause, especially after a demonstration such as the one Monday.
