On the way to classes Wednesday and Thursday, students stopped and stared at (or glanced away from) the abortion photo exhibit at Tate plaza.

Although pro-life and pro-choice students have reacted in different ways, one idea seems to pervade all reactions – the pictures are uncomfortably graphic.

Whether or not students agree, the group has a right to be there.

“Tate is a free speech zone,” said Cara Simmons, coordinator of the Tate Event Management Office. “Although you may not like what you see or hear, free speech is allowed under Campus Life and University policy.”

A free speech zone is an area the University dedicated to divergent points of view that are not controlled by the University, said Kent Middleton, a communications law professor in the Grady College.

“This includes free speech for all – for and against abortion, for and against the war in Iraq – and the proselytizing preachers, too,” Middleton said.

To reserve a space, student organizations must fill out a reservation request in the Event Management Office in Tate. The form asks for information about availability, fundraising and purpose of the reservation.

“We look at the request for the group’s information and confirm the details,” Simmons said. “If anything is questionable, we talk to the group. We certainly wouldn’t allow anything illegal.”

Justice for All, a pro-life chapter on campus, invited its national affiliate to present the exhibit.

“Justice for All travels to state and public universities across the country,” said Rebeccah Pedrick, the group’s national spokesperson. “Responses at most of the campuses are similar, but we find the more passionate ones at universities with strong women’s clubs and programs.”

Thursday, the group had an open mic forum, a poll table and a free speech board for students to express opinions.

“The goal is to create dialogue,” Pedrick said. “Because we’re a visual society, the pictures make an impact, but we don’t rely on the pictures to make a difference.”

The difference between these pictures and showing pornographic photos to passers-by is the content, she said.

“Pornography is illegal in a public forum and is lewd,” Pedrick said. “This is disgusting and graphic, but it sparks conversation that changes minds.”

At another table in the plaza, the Women’s Studies Student Organization asked students to sign a petition to create a Women’s Center.

“We’re one of the only universities this size that doesn’t have a women’s center,” said senior Nathan Hendricks.

“We want something positive to come out of this event because I don’t think this is a healthy conversation. There are more pressing issues concerning women,” he said.

Some students agreed.

“I don’t think scare tactics work on a college campus because we’ve made our mind up,” said Paul Stanley, a senior from Dalton. “The discussion is not productive and a waste of money. It should be put it into something like counseling.”

No matter how graphic the images are, other students said the images were effective.

“It was very grieving when I saw it at first,” said Natalie Gordon, a senior from Decatur. “But it’s informing. I didn’t have a concept of what it really looks like. I was thinking, if the fetuses could speak, what would they say?”