WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1896 www.thesunflower.com
March 9, 2023
Pro-life organization “Abolitionist” protesters walked outside East High School, drawing out engagement from a student. | Photo by Kyran Crist / The Sunflower
Volume 127 Issue 24
Anti-abortion protesters show their signs to people on Wichita State’s campus. The group, Free the States, protested on March 3. | Photo by Emmie Boese / The Sunflower
Anti-abortion protesters show their signs to people on Wichita State’s campus. The group, Free the States, protested on March 3. | Photo by Emmie Boese / The Sunflower
‘I WAS STARTING TO PANIC’
A child carries an anti-abortion information card while walking in protest of abortion on March 2. | Photo by Mia Hennen / The Sunflower
Anti-abortion group protests at Wichita State and downtown Wichita BY MIA HENNEN & EMMIE BOESE news@thesunflower.com & sportsassistant@thesunflower.com
Wichita State student Claire Kennard said it was a shock to walk out of class and see anti-abortion protesters lining the campus sidewalks with graphic signs. The musical theater major said it brought back many traumatic memories. “My heart was pounding out of my chest,” Kennard said. “When I got to the RSC, I was starting to panic.” On Friday, March 3, protesters from Free the States and others were on Wichita State’s main campus to “educate college students.” The Oklahoma-based group deems
themselves “abolitionists,” with the goal to abolish and criminalize abortion in the United States. “College campuses are places where you really need to go to try to change people’s minds and hearts,” Russell Hunter, executive director at Free the States, said. Hunter differentiated Free the States from pro-life groups, saying that they believe in the immediate abolition of abortion, not its regulation. “Laws against murder should apply equally to all humans,” Hunter said. “The thing protecting you from being murdered should also protect the (fetus) to the best of the ability.” Protesters held posters with imagery meant to spark discussion
about abortion. They also handed out pamphlets and stopped students on their way to class to talk with them. “(It’s) emotionally really hard to get to my next class,” Kennard said. “Every single protester coming up and offering a pamphlet … was a little scary.” A rape survivor, Kennard said the protesters lacked empathy for survivors of traumatic experiences like herself, as well as knowledge on abortion. “I understand that it’s supposed to be an emotional ‘got ya’ moment and catch you off guard,” Kennard said. “But for me, it just reminds me of my past …. experiences.” The protest at Wichita State’s campus was part of a series of conference events throughout the week.
On March 2, the group protested in downtown Wichita. The conference was titled “Bleeding Kansas,” referencing the period of unrest between pro-slavery and antislavery forces in the state. The group overlaps terminology often used in reference to the abolitionist movement, the movement to end slavery. Musical theater student Tim Hampton said, as a Black man, it hurts to see protesters compare abortion to slavery. “I talked to a man who basically said that slavery and abortion are the same thing,” Hampton said.
SEE ANTI-ABORTION PAGE 2
Berry, Harmon presidential campaign aims to reduce government’s spending, respect student voices BY COURTNEY BROWN
browncourtney2002@gmail.com
Zane Berry and Nicholas Harmon are one of three teams running for student government president and vice president. Their platform consists of affordable housing, reduced spending and reaffirming the right to freedom of expression. Last year, Berry, now hoping to be student government president, was a vice presidential candidate on a write-in campaign with William Shropshire. Berry said the experience prepared him for his current campaign. “Since we had to do everything on such a smaller scale last time and such a short time span,” Berry said, “it’s given me more insight into … what makes a successful campaign.” Berry has been an SGA engineering senator for two years. As engineering caucus leader, he also leads meetings with engineering students in the Senate and connects with their college’s dean.
Presidential candidate Zane Berry and VP candidate Nicholas Harmon pose for a photo. Berry and Harmon launched their campaign in February. | Photo courtesy of Zane Berry
After deciding to run, Berry said he quickly thought of Harmon as a running mate. “I knew he was going to be a strong fit for me, and I knew he aligned with what I wanted to change on campus,” Berry said. Harmon is an at-large senator and chair of SGA’s Ways and Means Committee, which helps recognize student organizations. Harmon said, as chair, he motioned to reduce the timeline to approve organizations. “I’ve always tried to put the interests of student organizations
first,” Harmon said.
CAMPAIGN POINTS If elected, Berry and Harmon said they plan to reduce SGA’s spending. Last fall, SGA voted to fund $15,000 for a mural project on the Duerksen amphitheater. While Harmon said he supports the mural, he found it irresponsible that SGA provided additional funds. SEE BERRY, HARMON PAGE 2
Presidential candidate Izzy Okere and VP candidate Sophie Martins pose for a photo. | Photo courtesy of Sophie Martins
Okere, Martin focuses on increasing engagement and improving accountability BY SARAH BEAUCHAMP
sbeauchamp2944@gmail.com
Iris Okere and Sophie Martins are one of three teams running for president and vice president of the Student Government Association (SGA). They are focused on five platforms: transparency, civic engagement, diversity, student retention and accountability. These platforms share similar points with current
Student Body President John Kirk. Okere serves as the Diversity Empowerment and Inclusion committee chair for SGA. She has served in Wichita State’s student government for about a year and is an underserved senator. She spoke of her time as chair and how that experience would help her as president. SEE OKERE, MARTIN PAGE 2