Around fifteen demonstrators from TFP Student Action Europe gather on the Koeveld at TU/e on Thursday afternoon to protest against abortion. One demonstrator plays the bagpipes, while another shouts slogans through a megaphone, including the Hail Mary.

Soon, students and staff approach the demonstrators to stage a counterprotest. They cover their banner with jackets and vests and shout, “my body, my choice.” The anti-abortion demonstrators invoke freedom of speech.

The counterprotesters receive support from bystanders and people arriving from surrounding buildings to see what is happening. Some go inside to fetch improvised banners.

An enormous image of Hedy d’Ancona, a prominent feminist figure, even comes out. Studium Generale keeps the image from a previous exhibition on feminism. Meanwhile, both groups try to outshout each other. The counterprotesters also bring a megaphone.

The TFP demonstrators move across campus in an attempt to continue spreading their message. The counterprotesters, now around fifty strong, follow them. Also campus security and the police follow along.

The group ends up in front of the Luna building, each side trying harder to drown out the other. The demonstrators’ slogans are nearly inaudible over the shouting of the counterprotesters and are also covered with sheets. From a speaker of the counterprotesters, “Bella Ciao” and music by The Beatles can be heard.

The demonstrators have permission from the mayor to protest on campus until 6:00 p.m., but around 5:30 p.m., they call it a day and leave in vans, waved off by cheering counterprotesters.