A DePaul University student group connected with Planned Parenthood has claimed the school expelled the group from campus because of its ties to an abortion provider, The Chicago Sun-Times noted.
On June 3, the Planned Parenthood Generation Action DePaul University chapter—known as PPGenAction DePaul/PPGADPU—was told to dissolve during a meeting with university officials, with the group adding that no school policies or procedures were cited in their decision. The university told the students the group would only be able to continue if it removes all affiliation with Planned Parenthood or any other abortion provider.
There is now no content on the group’s website.
PPGADPU was formed during the 2022-23 academic year to provide students with sexual health information and resources.
“I’m outraged that student activism is being silenced at my alma mater ,” said Cristina Villarreal—chief external affairs officer for Planned Parenthood Illinois Action and DePaul University Law School Alumni—in a press release that Windy City Times received. “Students should be able to use their voices and engage in making positive change in the world. DePaul was founded on principles of justice and action, and this administration is turning its back on the tenets that make the University strong.”
In a separate statement, a DePaul spokesperson said the university does not allow student groups to affiliate with outside organizations “whose core missions are in direct conflict with the values and teachings of the Catholic Church. Planned Parenthood falls into this category.”
The organization is holding a town hall at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 13, both at the Lincoln Park Chicago Public Library branch and on Zoom.
DePaul is the largest Catholic university in the country.