While he is unsure about whether the images and T-shirts were put back up, he is certain that the pamphlets containing information about abortion were still being circulated among students and he chose not to intervene again.

The president reiterated KSU’s reasoning for this no-abortion policy, saying the complex topic deserves a less distracted conversation with dedicated time and space to ensure it’s explored properly.

He said that Freshers’ Week consists of a lot of “propaganda-style” content, and that something like this in the context of abortion may easily influence “new” and potentially inexperienced students who do not know much about the “contentious” topic.

Hence, the conversation needs to be had in a more appropriate and well-thought-out manner.

“These discussions don’t need to be formal and they don’t need to be guided by KSU. But the environment of Freshers’ is not the place to instigate this discussion,” the student representative said.

In addition, Bonanno explained that KSU refused Life Network Foundation from this year’s Freshers’ Week, saying that their stand last year felt too much like propaganda. Last year’s pro-life stand offered free slushies in return for people listening to what was blasted as abortion misinformation.

“We have the responsibility to ensure that the information being shared at Freshers’ Week is correct.”

When asked whether he thinks Moviment Graffitti’s stand was similarly misguided in its content, he said he doesn’t think it is but is not qualified enough to say for sure. Nonetheless, he maintained that it isn’t fair to have only one side of the argument at the event considering the topic is so divisive.

The newsroom probed Bonanno about next year’s action plan regarding this issue and he said since he will not be president then, he cannot impose a decision on the organisation. But he did admit that this year’s approach may not have been the best, saying that KSU should have held more discussions with Moviment Graffitti before the start of Freshers’ Week especially considering how vocally critical the NGO was of last year’s pro-life stand. However, the lack of these prior talks was an innocent oversight.

Ultimately, Bonanno assured that KSU does not want to stifle debate it just felt a responsibility to foster it in the fairest and most appropriate way possible. He went on to say that initiatives regarding abortion are currently in the works as well as debates involving experts from both sides.

What is your take on this saga?