The following remarks by Kathryn Ware were made at the protest rally against philosopher Peter Singer's appearance at the University of Minnesota on March 23, 2006. | Read Kathryn Ware's opinion article, Singer's opinions dehumanize and disgust, printed the Minnesota Daily.

I am here tonight with my son Kylen. Kylen has mental retardation and cerebral palsy.  Peter Singer says that my son is a non-person because of his "severe intellectual disabilities". He would define my son Kylen as a NON PERSON.   

He says that a "non-person" has no right NOT to be killed. He says that my sonšs life is less worth living than a person without disabilities. Peter Singer believes that parents should be able to kill their babies with disabilities one month or more after they are born.   

Singeršs views turn my son into a non-person with no protections and no Rights. He would say that Kylen is, "life unworthy of life". Singer says that my son is morally insignificant to society! He degrades, devalues, and dehumanizes people with disabilities to promote the rights of animals. 

This is unnecessary, discriminatory, and oppressive to people living with disabilities. Peter Singeršs hate filled speech is sanctioned by Universities across this country. The University of Minnesota is paying him $7,500.00 per hour to speak here tonight on our campus. He is given an academic STAMP of approval to spew intolerance and prejudice against people with disabilities. He is highly respected, admired, and popular in academia. And this is why it is SO important that we are all here tonight!   

University of Minnesota BOARD OF REGENTS Mission Statement:

In all of its activities, the University strives to sustain an open exchange of ideas in an environment that embodies the values of academic freedom, responsibility, integrity, and cooperation; provides an atmosphere of mutual respect, free from racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice and intolerance. 

I am here to tell the Board of Regents, The University of Minnesota, Peter Singer, and all of the attendees that Peter Singer violates this mission statement. It is irresponsible, without integrity, provides people with disabilities with absolutely NO RESPECT, and is fraught with prejudice and intolerance toward my son Kylen, and all people in the state of Minnesota living with disabilities and the people who love and care for them.

Read protest organizer Emily Smith's remarks.

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