A student-group display at Abilene Christian University (ACU) in Texas sparked controversy after administrators flagged a pro-life sign reading “Abortion is Murder. Disagree? Let’s talk.” as “hate speech,” demanding it be altered or removed. The university later walked back that label and issued a statement clarifying the term was used in error by a staff member.
On October 14, the student organization ACU for Life set up a table in the campus center with materials promoting dialogue on abortion. Two administrators, Lyndi Felan and John Mark Moudy, approached the table and informed students that the sign violated campus guidelines. The students were told they would face a student conduct issue if they did not modify or take down the display.
When students asked for a definition of “hate speech,” administrators reportedly declined to provide one. The group eventually replaced the original wording with a sign that read, “Abortion Kills An Innocent Human Life.”
Vice President for Student Life Ryan Richardson later emailed the group, stating that tabling events should not “invite confrontation or public debate” through signage or personal engagement. ACU clarified in a follow-up statement that the phrase “hate speech” was incorrectly applied and that no disciplinary action would be taken against the group, which remains in good standing with the university.
The incident has drawn attention from free speech advocates and critics of campus speech restrictions. Some argue that labeling a widely held moral view as “hate speech” can chill open discussion on key societal issues. The controversy highlights growing concerns over how universities handle student speech, particularly when it touches on politically sensitive, religious, or morally charged topics.
