Counter-protest erupts on Grinnell College campus after religious demonstration

A counter-protest erupted at Grinnell College today after two religious demonstrators preached about abortion and homosexuality in the center of campus. The two individuals, a man and a woman, said that they were not affiliated with any organization or religious institution. 

“This is one of the biggest homo-affirming campuses in the state of Iowa,” one of the demonstrators, who declined to provide his name, told The S&B. “We were hoping to shine a light on the gospel of Jesus Christ today.” The man, who had a microphone and camera, carried signs with messages like “abortion is murder” and ones warning homosexuals — along with a list of others, like adulterers and thieves — that judgment is coming. 

The two’s demonstration began on 8th Avenue outside of the Joe Rosenfield `25 Center (JRC) at around 11 a.m. and ended by about 4 p.m. 8th Avenue is a public road, and therefore public property. 

By noon, a crowd of counter-protesters had surrounded the two individuals, flying pride flags and dancing to music.  

“We made it a point to let them know right to their faces that nothing is wrong with us,” Kimmy Vergara `26, a counter-protester, said. “What we’re doing is not immoral and we’re standing up for what we believe is right. And what we believe is right is counter-protest, which is also well under our First Amendment rights.” Vergara is a Community Advisor for Lavender Hall, which is Grinnell College’s LGBTQIA+ housing. 

“I joined in because these are my people, and I’ll stand out here with them,” Bethany Haas `27, another counter-protester, said. Haas is also involved with the College’s Trans at Grinnell student group. 

Cedric Cusack, 16, a prospective student touring Grinnell College, joined in the counter-protest after leaving the JRC and seeing the signs. “It makes me really excited, it makes me really happy to know there’s a community that is able to support each other and is there to talk each other up and won’t tolerate this kind of bullshit,” Cusack said.

Today was the two demonstrators’ first time on Grinnell’s campus, the woman, who identified herself by the name Natalie, told The S&B. 

“We’re not here to talk too much about ourselves,” she said. “We just want to talk more about Jesus.”

She added that they often visit colleges and universities across Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota to demonstrate.  

During the demonstration, Natalie handed out pamphlets asking “Where are you going to spend eternity?” and “Are you a good person?” Another pamphlet read “How to be saved and know it.” Some of the pamphlets were produced by the Fellowship Tract League, a church ministry based out of South Lebanon, Ohio. 

Students in MUS-322: Music and Capitalism brought their midterm assignment to the counterprotest. Libby Albright `27, who wrote a protest song in class, sang at the counterprotest. 

Community members outside of the College also joined the counterprotest. “I’m the proud mom of a trans daughter, who’s also a Grinnell alumni,” Monique Shore `90, president of Grinnell’s new PFLAG chapter, an advocate group for LGBTQIA+ individuals, said. “These hateful things are things we need to stand against.”

This is a developing story.