**Students Paint Over Pro-Life Message, Threaten Disruption at University of Mary Washington Event**
*By Spencer Lombardo | The College Fix | November 12, 2025*
Over the past few days, my fellow pro-life student leaders and I have witnessed first-hand the hostility that many young adults harbor toward the idea of protecting unborn babies.
On Monday, Students for Life of America spokesperson Lydia Taylor Davis visited the University of Mary Washington as part of her “Make Gen Z Anti-Abortion” tour. As a leadership team member of the Students for Life chapter here on campus, I have been deeply involved in preparing for this event.
**Flyers Removed and Spirit Rock Painted Over**
In the weeks leading up to the event, many of our flyers were repeatedly taken down by other students. In response, we turned to a more lasting method of promotion: The Spirit Rock, a large boulder on campus that recognized clubs can paint to advertise events.
Our group painted the Spirit Rock on Saturday to share information about our event. Unfortunately, that night, a group of people covered it up with non-latex paint—violating university policy. We repainted the rock the next day, but within hours, it was spray-painted over again. Our chapter president engaged the group trying to cover our message, a moment that was captured on video and later posted to Davis’s Instagram, receiving over 4,600 likes.
**Hostility and Threats Escalate**
In the video, one spray-painter said, “If someone I care about wants to get an abortion, I will stick a coat hanger up them if they want me to.” Another male student, while spray-painting the rock, commented, “I’m not planning on being civil with people who want to take away what I perceive as a human right.” He further encouraged students to attend our event to “make fun of y’all.”
Meanwhile, on the anonymous social media platform Yik Yak, several concerning comments appeared from other students. Many were juvenile—one threatened to “pee on the floor” during our event—while others were more serious, such as a post asking whether someone could dox our pro-life chapter. Fortunately, to my knowledge, no one followed through with these threats.
**Event Proceeds Despite Hecklers and Protests**
Despite these challenges, Davis’s talk and our tabling event continued largely peacefully, though there was some heckling from the crowd. During Davis’s three-hour “Ask Me Anything” presentation, protesters—some masked—stood along the ballroom wall.
Davis emphasized that life scientifically begins at conception, stressed that both the mother’s and unborn child’s lives matter, and encouraged communities to support women facing difficult pregnancies.
**Moving Forward with Our Mission**
Despite the hostility, UMW Students for Life remains committed to respectful outreach. Our goal is clear: to foster a Fredericksburg where every person’s right to life is protected, born or unborn.
*Photos of the event are available at the original source.*
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4352210/posts
