The pro-lifers are at it again. At least once a year, Project Truth, an anti-abortion organization advocating against Planned Parenthood comes to Los Medanos College, bringing with them extremely graphic 20 ft. posters of aborted fetuses and poorly written literature. Last week, they appeared on campus, to the annoyance of many, preaching to anyone walking past about the supposed medical and moral dangers of abortion.

Though many ignored the demonstration, if the United States is split about the pro-life vs. pro-choice argument, then why?

In the world of politics, the Trump administration is severely anti-choice, and according to the Pew Research Center, more than 4 in 10 U.S. citizens think abortion is morally wrong. However, 59 percent of adults say abortion should be legal in all or most cases. In fact, a number of individuals have shelled out money to help fund the continuation of institutions like Planned Parenthood that don’t just provide safe abortions, but a myriad of important medical tests, procedures and affordable birth control.   

The pro-choice stance isn’t pro-murder or even pro-abortion necessarily, it’s the idea that women should be able to have complete autonomy over their own bodies, whether or not you agree with what they choose to do with their bodies. Shuttering institutions like Planned Parenthood does little to save lives, and as abortion rates actually decline, reducing the amount of easily available birth control will only make it go back up, safe and legal or otherwise.

Ultimately, being pro-life endangers more people than it helps, which is something we hope people who share views like the ones our friends over at Project Truth will eventually realize.