Anti-abortion Conservative MP Stephen Woodworth clashes with a pro-choice protester dressed in a vulva costume at the University of Waterloo Wednesday. The Kitchener MP had to cut his lecture short when a group of protesters entered the room shouting. (National Campus Life Network/Screengrab)
Anti-abortion Conservative MP Stephen Woodworth had to cut short a lecture at the University of Waterloo Wednesday night when a group of pro-choice protesters, including one man dressed in a vulva costume, began shouting.
The Kitchener Centre backbencher was speaking about the controversial motion he introduced in the House of Commons last year that called for Parliament to study when life begins as defined in the Criminal Code. In September, MPs voted against it 203 to 91.
Hannah Bailey, president of Waterloo Students for Life, which organized the presentation, said the protesters' behaviour was an "embarrassment to the entire university community."
"We understand that there are strong opinions when it comes to an issue like abortion. But we expected better from our peers at the university," she said in a statement Thursday.
In a video posted online, the protesters refuse campus security officers' requests to leave and hold signs: "Keep your rosaries off my ovaries," and "If you cut off my repro-choice, I will cut off yours!"
The man in the vulva suit shouts at Woodworth as he packs up his belongings.
"I'm disgusting? Who do you think you are trying to impose your bigotry, your views on society through your Christian monotheistic faith."
Woodworth said Friday he was glad he was able to speak to the protesters during his presentation for about 15 minutes until they interrupted.
"We really have to be careful in our country that we do stand up against anti-democratic extremists."
The MP said he would try to do the presentation again at a later date.
