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Local News Theotis Braddy, center, president of the Center for Independent living of Central Pennsylvania, leads a group of protesters. (Pierce Bounds/Special to The Sentinel) Disabled people wage protest By Tiffany Pakkala, February 17, 2004 About a dozen advocates for the disabled gathered at the entrance to the social hall in Dickinson College's Holland Union Building, where Peter Singer was to speak about globalization. But it wasn't globalization that brought them out Monday, armed with folders and brochures about disabilities. It was the bioethicist's views that infanticide of handicapped babies may be acceptable. In a "silent protest," members of the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania (CILCP) distributed literature and information about Singer's views as people walked in to hear him speak. The literature included this excerpt from "Practical Ethics," one of Singer's books: "The issue of ending life for disabled newborn infants is not without complications.... Nevertheless the main point is clear: killing a disabled infant is not morally equivalent to killing a person. Very often it is not wrong at all." No debate intended Pam Auer, community organizer for CILCP, said, "We're here as a silent witness. We're here not to debate that Peter Singer thinks people have a right to kill handicapped babies in the first 28 days of their lives. We believe he is misguided, and I pray that he'll come to see that we have value." Auer, who has spina bifida, said, "No one has a right to make that choice." CICLP president Theotis Braddy said it was sad that a well-respected public figure has "such a negative position. He has a strong influence and we've got to come out and challenge that. People need to hear another side of it. "We respect freedom of speech, but not often do we get to come out and speak." Noting Singer is an animal-rights advocate, Auer added, "He thinks animals are more valuable than us." Another woman held a sign that said, "I am a successful mother, daughter, lover, friend, executive director, board member, and very much alive!" When she was born with spina bifida, her mother was told to leave her and have another child, she said. Her mother didn't listen. Now the woman is 52 with a child of her own and an adopted son with cerebral palsy. "I'm here because I don't think anyone has a right to say anyone doesn't have a right to live," she said. "It's appalling that a public figure could say that." They sit up front As the lecture began, the advocates filed into the room and insisted on sitting in the front row. Following the presentation, they confronted Singer, and he confirmed that he believes parents should have the right to choose whether their children live during the first 28 days after birth. Then a Dickinson student interrupted and took Singer to a reception area to autograph books, leaving the CICLP members to huddle and express their frustrations about his unchanging views.