An attorney acting on behalf of UMBC's pro-life student organization, Rock for Life, hopes their lawsuit filed against UMBC will cause the school's speech zone and speech code policies to be declared unconstitutional and force university officials to completely rethink free speech at UMBC.

According to Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) Senior Legal Counsel Steven H. Aden, the students are "victims of a speech zone policy," a practice which allows school officials to dictate the location of speech events.

In April 2007, the group invited the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform to present a series of posters entitled "Genocide Awareness Project." The twenty-four graphic posters are used at universities nationwide to compare modern abortion to historical-recognized instances of genocide. Though originally promised a spot outside of the University Center by the Office of Student Life, the group was later told by university officials to set up on the patio behind the Commons, where Rock for Life members felt there was less foot traffic.

On the morning of the display, police officers made Rock for Life members move their display to an even lower visibility area: Erickson Field. Rock for Life was told that they would have to hold any future events on Erickson Field.

After the demonstration on a field, Rock for Life officers turned to ADF for help.

Currently, UMBC's speech zone policy restricts any form of speech that may create an "intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational or working environment." Because of this, "[Rock for Life members] don't feel free to express themselves on controversial topics," Aden said.

By suing UMBC, ADF hopes to prove that the university's speech codes are unconstitutional and force administrators to affirm students' right to free speech, even at the risk of offending others. In a press release, Aden said, "America's colleges and universities should recognize the constitutional rights of pro-life students just as they do for other students."

The suit demands the following of UMBC:

-Declare that the school's speech code and Facilities Use policies violated Rock for Life's rights to free speech and assembly, due process of law, and equal protection

-Invalidate speech code and Facilities Use policies

-Pay court-determined damages

-Reimburse of Rock for Life's case-related expenses

Aden wants to ensure that in the future, "university officials can't move speech to a far corner of campus at their whim."

UMBC is not the only campus with what ADF deems a restrictive speech code. Speech zone policy violations are sadly, according to Aden, "a big and growing problem" in America. ADF has identified nearly 300 universities with codes that "kill open debate on campus."