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A student anti-abortion group is launching a court action against the University of Alberta, alleging the university failed to uphold the group’s right to freedom of expression.

UAlberta Pro-Life president Amberlee Nicol said they were motivated to take legal action after various incidents during the last school year.

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The injunction application alleges the university did nothing to stop or adequately reprimand individuals that tore down approximately 3,000 of the group’s posters and that campus security failed to intervene in March when a display the group set up on campus was obstructed by a counter-protest.

The application also alleges that the university told the anti-abortion group that it would be charged security fees for a planned followup event.

“We feel like we were treated unfairly solely because of our unpopular viewpoint,” Nicol said.

The group is being represented by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, which plans to file an application for an interim injunction Oct. 7.

The application wants the university ordered to ensure the group can pursue and promote its activities “freely,” enforce the Code of Student Behaviour, uphold the law on campus and protect the group’s right to freedom of expression.

“We are worried that going forward, especially with the university trying to charge us security fees, that it does put a damper on what we can and cannot do as a campus club,” Nicol said.

Nicol said her group has continued to hold regular events, but has not put up posters yet this school year.

pparsons@edmontonjournal.com

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