Anti-abortion activist sparks debates with students at Cerritos College 

_{Student Salem Boytos wears pink underwear over her clothes while holding a sign at Kristan Hawkins’ debate on abortion rights at Falcon Square in Cerritos College on April 8. (Jessica Rodriguez)}

A crowd of more than 50 students gathered in Falcon Square at Cerritos College, chanting “a disgrace to women” and “abortion is a human right,” as they spoke out against anti-abortion activist Kristan Hawkins. 

Hawkins is the CEO of Pro-Life Generation and the president of Students for Life America (SFLA), who goes to college campuses to debate students on abortion rights. 

Under a tent that read “abortion is human sacrifice”, Hawkins’ intentions to spark debate was met with angry students yelling for the political activist to get off their campus. 

The demonstration was organized by the campus chapter of Young Democratic Socialists of America, drawing students who opposed the speaker’s messages and the presence of similar events on campus.

Salem Boytos, a biology student who is not officially a member of the group, said she felt compelled to attend after seeing a pattern of controversial speakers being invited to campus.

Boytos described previous events hosted by the Turning Point USA chapter at Cerritos College as harmful to students.

“These are harmful messages,” Boytos said. “This isn’t what we should be promoting on a campus that’s supposed to be about education and open thought.”

The concerns echoed a broader sentiment among many protesters in attendance, who viewed the event as contributing to a hostile campus environment.

Julio Sosadiaz, a political science student and student body presidential candidate, raised concerns about what he described as a pattern of behavior tied to these specific events.

“It goes beyond free speech when people come onto campus to harass students and provoke reactions for online content,” Sosadiaz continues, “That’s not debate—it’s intimidation.”

Sosadiaz also criticized the Student Affairs Dean Elisabeth Miller, saying he believes the administration has not been transparent about the situation.

“From our perspective, there’s been a lack of clarity and accountability,” Sosadiaz said.

Sosadiaz alleged that Miller has misrepresented the involvement of outside groups connected to campus events.

“She’s been saying that certain groups weren’t invited,” Sosadiaz said. “But from what we’ve seen and documented, that doesn’t match up.”

Sosadiaz added that students and campus organizations have raised questions about how outside speakers are brought onto campus and whether proper transparency has been maintained.

Miller did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Coming out of class, Valeria Esqueda, a commercial music student, said she chose to engage directly with Hawkins despite strongly disagreeing with her message.

“Because she’s saying things that I don’t agree with,” Esqueda said. “I think her opinion is just overall wrong.”

Esqueda questioned the intent of the event, describing it as performative.

“It’s rage baiting,” Esqueda said. “(Hawkins) not here to educate—she’s here to cause a scene, get views and promote an agenda.”

Still, Esqueda acknowledged the importance of free speech and open dialogue on campus.

“I do think it’s beneficial because of the First Amendment, we all have the right to speak,” she said. “It just sucks that it’s being used in the wrong way.”

Esqueda extended the argument that while student groups have the right to invite speakers, the campus climate may discourage visible support.

“I thought there would be at least some supporters here, but I think people want to feel safe and may not want to openly align with those views.” Esqueda said. 

_{Kristan Hawkins sets up to debate students on abortion rights at Falcon Square in Cerritos College on April 8. Hawkins, an anti-abortion activist, was invited onto campus to talk to students by a group at Cerritos College. (Jessica Rodriguez)}

Hawkins, however, defended the importance of speaking on college campuses, saying that she believes her presence can influence students.

“Yes, absolutely, because it changes minds,” Hawkins said. “College campuses are often targeted, and we’ve helped a lot of mothers and saved lives.”

Hawkins added that even strong reactions from protesters can amplify her message.

“The more people react the way they did today, the more others start to question what’s going on. In a way, that changes more minds than I do.” Hawkins said. 

Despite widespread disagreement among students, the presence of groups like Turning Point USA, a charter group, reflects the broader reality of campus life that student organizations are allowed to express their views under the protections of the First Amendment, even when those views are unpopular.

No visible supporters of Hawkins were present at the event, as the crowd consisted almost entirely of people speaking against Hawkins.

In response to the event at Cerritos, LBCC Dean of Student Affairs Deborah Miller-Calvert said that students have the right to organize events and invite speakers, however those events must go through an approval process.

“As students, you have the right to organize and host events on campus. However, all events must go through proper vetting to ensure that the guests brought onto campus provide a benefit to the student body.” Miller-Calvert said.