Ambassadors re-route tours past protest

Lion Ambassadors didn't walk backward down Pollock Road yesterday while guiding daily tours for prospective Penn Staters.

Instead, Pollock Road served as a barrier for opposing viewpoints on a display likening the Holocaust and racial persecution to abortion.

Lion Ambassadors were forced to reroute tours across campus yesterday to avoid the protest.

"The pictures are very graphic in their nature," said Steve MacCarthy, executive director of University Relations. "A lot of people have expressed concern over the display."

Lion Ambassador Jennifer Brown (junior-marketing) led a tour through an area of campus where the photos were set up earlier this week.

"No one has asked questions," Brown said. "But I feel personally uncomfortable."

Kirsten Byerts (junior-journalism), a member of the Ambassadors, said she has not given a tour this week but the organization is aware of the anti-abortion protests. They have been discussing ways to divert tours from the display, Byerts added.

"We are aware that the Lion Ambassadors were attempting to steer their tours clear of the protest," MacCarthy said. "We have received a number phone calls and E-mails that expressed concern over the display. Even those who are in favor of the message are not necessarily in favor of the signs."

MacCarthy said the Office of University Relations will give the locations of the anti-abortion display to anyone who wishes to know where the protests will be located.