Spurred by Kirk’s death, Lila Rose debates abortion at Yale — and wins the room
Caroline MolloyAfter initially turning down an invitation to debate abortion at Yale University, pro-life advocate Lila Rose changed course this week — citing the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk as the reason she felt compelled to go.
The Sept. 16 debate pitted Rose, the founder and president of Live Action against Frances Kissling, a longtime advocate for abortion and former president of “Catholics for Free Choice.”
“I had originally said no to this event a few weeks ago,” Rose explained in a video message posted ahead of the event, citing her responsibilities with children at home and a packed schedule.
She had tried to find someone else to take her place, but no one was available.
Then came the news of Kirk’s assassination.
“After receiving that gut-wrenching news,” she said, “I felt the strong sense of calling that I should [do it], go to Yale.”
She also urged others not to hold back.
“It is more important than ever for people of faith and conscience to not be afraid right now,” she said. “To speak the truth with love. To speak out on behalf of the vulnerable.”
The debate took place under heightened security, with attendees screened and restricted from bringing in bags, according to Yale Daily News. Rose was escorted into the building by security personnel. Yale Political Union leaders acknowledged in their opening remarks that the precautions were implemented following Kirk’s assassination, and they reaffirmed their commitment to open debate and free exchange of ideas, honoring Kirk’s legacy of civil discourse.
Erika Ahern, a Connecticut resident and co-host of CatholicVote’s Loopcast who has attended Yale debates and events over the past 15 years, said she expected a hostile crowd but found something different.
“There were some [hostile people] there,” she told CatholicVote, “but overwhelmingly the spirit in the room was intense interest in hearing both women out.”
The debate began with opening statements from each guest speaker — first Kissling, then Rose — followed by a period of direct questions between the two. Audience members were then given the opportunity to pose questions, and four Yale students, two from each side of the issue, gave short speeches.
Ahern noted that although both guest speakers were supposed to be limited to five minutes for opening remarks, Kissling was allowed to speak for more than 12 minutes and went over time in other segments as well. In addition, Kissling was permitted to choose her own questioners, while Rose’s were selected for her.
Many young men in the crowd showed strong support for Rose’s arguments, especially those calling for better maternal care and defending the vulnerable. One especially poignant moment was when a young man stood to question a student speaker who followed Kissling.
