An anti-abortion group has been setting up graphic displays outside high schools in Calgary in a bid to win over young supporters.

The Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform has put large poster boards showing aborted fetuses on public property near at least 12 area high schools.

Image | si-cgy-arbortion2protest

Caption: An anti-abortion group brought its graphic displays to William Aberhart High School on Tuesday. ((James Bundy))

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"It's in high schools like this one that they are forming their perceptions of the world and we think it's important that we help them form their ideas on issues like abortion," said John Heikoop, one of the demonstrators.

The Calgary Board of Education and the police say the demonstrations are fine, as long as they are not held on school property.

But Celia Posyniak, an official with the Kensington Clinic, which provides abortions in northwest Calgary, said she is disappointed the activists are targeting children.

"I think if you're going to show images like that, it needs to come with some explanation. And I don't think it promotes any understanding of abortion," she said.

"These images are inappropriate for a public audience, never mind in front of school children. It's a new low for this group," she added.