The Canadian government dropped trespassing charges today against six members of Campus Pro-Life at the University of Calgary.  The students were charged with trespassing after they refused to turn pro-life billboards inward during a campus display in November 2008. 

I’ve previously commented about the outrageousness of this situation, but it is worth noting the simplicity of the students’ defense:  “‘It confirms our position that we do have the right to be on our own campus,’ said club president Leah Hallman.”  How sad that the students had to suffer trespassing charges and retain a lawyer just to fight for the right to speak equally and freely on their own college campus. 

The government made the right call in this case, but the University and the police should never have brought these charges.  Unfortunately, the University told reporters that it will take time to “reflect on this development.” 

Let me offer a possible reflection:  protect the marketplace of ideas by allowing all speakers equal access to the campus and do not censor viewpoints, no matter how much they dislike it.