The St. Thomas Students for Human Life club organized a demonstration Thursday on the Lower Quad as part of its second annual “Save the Humans Week.”

Members of the club passed out flyers and displayed signs in an effort to raise awareness about the pro-life club on campus and its cause. Students for Human Life is seeking solidarity among pro-life students on campus during “Save the Humans Week,” according to the club’s Vice President of Communications Lizzy Schmitt.

“I think often pro-life people can come across as judgmental to people who have had abortions or who have been involved in it, and that is definitely not what we want,” Schmitt said. “This is meant to be a welcoming atmosphere to provide something that’s really important in our day and age.”

The club posted signs with abortion statistics about Minnesota, the U.S. and China because members said people need to be aware abortion’s cross-cultural impact. Schmitt also said pro-life students must be a resource for people of all beliefs.

“We just want to get across love, and that’s what human dignity is about,” Schmitt said. “It’s about the unborn, the mothers who are often in tough situations, and it might seem like abortion is the answer, but we really strongly believe that there are better options for the long run.”

Senior Greg Billion said regardless of the cause, he thought the demonstration was a good way to grab attention.

“I thought it was a good witness to the message they’re trying to get across,” Billion said. “Everyone standing out on the quad and standing for something they truly believe in and they’re passionate about. They may experience some persecution by others, so that makes it more honorable and bold. Ultimately, their intentions were to defend human life, which in and of itself is noble.”

Freshman Kody DeLange said he doesn’t think enough students care to get involved in the debate.

“I think if it happens to you, if an unplanned pregnancy happens to you, then you’re more likely to get involved,” DeLange said. “Otherwise, it’s just kind of there.”

While St. Thomas is a Catholic university, Billion said he thinks Students for Human Life is trying to spread its message to non-religious students.

“I think those are the kids that the people standing out there were trying to speak to, the kids who are trying to figure things out for themselves and who are at a crucial time in their lives,” Billion said. “It’s good for them to be thinking about these things and the deeper reasons behind them.”

The group also held a spiritual adoption retreat on Saturday.

“This is meant to be a welcoming atmosphere to provide something that’s really important in our day and age,” Schmitt said.