Pro-Life Students at University of Southern Maine Face Threats After Founding Campus Group
PORTLAND, Maine — Members of a newly established pro-life student group at the University of Southern Maine (USM) have reported receiving threatening social media messages following the launch of their chapter, Huskies4Life. The threats, posted anonymously on Yik Yak, an app popular among college students for anonymous communication, referenced the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk, warning, “these Charlie Kirk enthusiasts gotta be careful don’t they know what happened to the guy.”
The chapter, affiliated with the nationwide Students for Life organization, was founded by USM students determined to advocate for pro-life views on campus despite facing immediate opposition. Matthew Gozzi, the northeast campus formation coordinator for Students for Life, told Fox News Digital that hostility toward the group began even before its official recognition by the student senate.
“We knew that now more than ever, you have to speak out, and you have to be authentic about who you are and your values, and that we weren’t going to back down if any of this stuff happened,” Gozzi said. He described two protests targeting Huskies4Life and efforts by opponents to photograph members during tabling events, followed by attempts to have them removed from campus activities.
USM junior Jadyn Carrigan, a leader of Huskies4Life, shared the screenshot of the threatening Yik Yak post and emphasized the group’s commitment to free speech. “I think that, you know, every person has the right to exercise their, their free speech, and that’s exactly what myself and my club members are here to do,” Carrigan said. “We’re not here with any malicious intent.”
The controversy unfolds amid broader national debates surrounding campus free speech and the rights of student organizations. The American Civil Liberties Union has long advocated for protecting students’ rights to express diverse viewpoints, even when those views provoke opposition.
Opponents of Huskies4Life appear to have escalated tensions by leveraging social media platforms to intimidate the group anonymously. The use of Yik Yak, which allows users to post without identification, has raised concerns about accountability and safety on college campuses. According to the U.S. Department of Education, institutions have a responsibility to ensure a safe environment for all students, balancing free speech with protections against harassment.
Matthew Gozzi suggested that the opposition’s response reflects a misunderstanding of conservative values and a perception that dissenting opinions equate to violence. “I think that they believe that there is no opposition to their ideas and that they don’t realize how regular conservative values are,” he said. “They’ve been told through media, through politicians, through everything, that anything that disagrees with their views constitutes violence and naturally, you know, you should fight violence with violence.”
As Huskies4Life continues to organize on campus, the group’s leaders remain resolute in their mission. The Students for Life organization supports chapters nationwide, encouraging students to engage in advocacy despite challenges. The USM chapter’s experience highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding free speech and ideological diversity in higher education.
University officials have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the threats or protests, but the incident underscores the complex dynamics at play when student groups with controversial viewpoints seek recognition and space on campus. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides guidance on how institutions should address harassment and ensure equal access to campus resources.
As the debate continues, Huskies4Life members stress their commitment to respectful dialogue and their right to advocate for their beliefs without fear of intimidation or violence.
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