About 25 members of Penn State's Students for Life gathered to pray as part of Life Week 2005 last night.

A rally began on the steps of Old Main at 7:30 where they started a candlelit vigil procession. The group of anti-abortion advocates walked in silence with lit candles to State College Medical Services, 900 W. College Ave., where they stood on the sidewalks to pray and sing.

Students for Life President Cristina Barba said the purpose of Life Week was for students to focus on their beliefs.

"We're here tonight in peacefulness and solidarity. We're being a voice to the unborn voiceless," she said. "We come out here as fellow college students. We're not here to judge and ridicule. We're not here to condemn. We just want to help."

Jen, a State College Medical Services office manager who asked that her last name not be used for safety reasons, said she thinks anti-abortion advocates don't understand the issue and that it is disrespectful for patients to see anti-abortion advocates outside the building.

"No one understands what it's like to be in the position to have to terminate a pregnancy," she said.

"It's difficult for the patient, especially at a time when they're already stressed and very emotional. They didn't want to have to terminate a pregnancy," she added.

Students for Life Outreach Coordinator Greg Laplante said the vigil was a good time for silent reflection.

"We're reflecting on not only the issue, but on the sanctity of life," he said. "These marches get people together for a common cause. We were made for a reason."

Jen said she thinks it's a control issue.

"Religion has everything to do with it. So does sexism. They definitely don't like it when women are strong," she said. "Students should educate themselves on all of the issues and not be led by religious propaganda or a closed-minded individual."

Bryan McKinney (senior-health policy and administration) said students should know what happens inside the facility.

"They probably aren't aware that there's a baby-killing factory a half-mile off campus," he said. "I see no difference between this place and Auschwitz."

Jen added that she has no problem with someone being an anti-abortion advocate.

"If they're pro-life, it's fine. If they decided after educating themselves that they should be pro-life, then they should be, but they shouldn't inhibit other peoples' opinions and the path they choose to take," she said.

Penn State employee and provisional student Cliff Hixson said he thinks the anti-abortion advocates are only looking to one religion.

"They need to understand that not everybody understands the same religious views," he said.

"They can't say why they are here. It's about making themselves feel better," Hixson added.