Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 6, 1995 TAG: 9503080025
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FAIRBANKS, ALASKA LENGTH: Short
``This is a topic that is not discussed at the elementary level,'' said Superintendent Percy Houts. ``It's not appropriate.''
Gabrielle Rockney's project - which competed with such other exhibits as how beavers build dams and which popcorn pops fluffiest - showed a fetus in various stages of development.
It was titled ``Is Abortion Murder? Yes!'' and was accompanied by a report that said life begins at conception. It won second place.
``I want to try to prove to people that abortion is murder and it's not OK to have one,'' the 10-year-old said. She said, however, that she wasn't trying to use the project to make a political or religious statement.
The information for the display came from an anti-abortion group and the Bible, she said. She said she did not consult abortion-rights groups because she ran out of time.
The project was removed Thursday from the Joy Elementary School gymnasium, where the other projects were displayed, and put in the principal's office.
Doug Schamel, who coordinates the district's fairs, said a project on abortion ``certainly fits'' within the realm of a science fair. He said he had not seen the display.
A Right to Life official said taking the display down was censorship.
by CNB