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Protests at Notre Dame |
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Prayer-Soldier writes "The University of Notre Dame is exercising no trespassing orders against groups and individuals seeking to protest the university's invitation to President Obama to be the university's 2009 commencement speaker. Fox News reported on 1 May 09 that the university issued a no trespassing order to Randall Terry, the founder of Operation Rescue. After Terry was presented with the order, he refused to leave and was subsequently arrested. Terry was apparently accompanied by anti-abortion protesters pushing baby carriages containing dolls with fake blood.
On 8 May 09, the Chicago Tribune reported that former presidential candidate, Allan Keys, was arrested along with 22 other protesters for trespassing on the university grounds. The university has a policy which bans protests unless they are organized by student groups.
According to a 9 May 09 “South Bend Tribune” article, police were waiting for Keys and arrested the protesters within 200 feet after the small group entered the campus. According to the article, the police gave the protesters the option to leave the campus. Apparently, the protesters refused and most of the group was arrested.
The article also reported that several university students stood nearby wearing T-shirts with the slogan, “Obama? Fine By Me.” One student was quoted as saying, "They're just here trying to use this for their cause."
On 6 Apr 09, the “South Bend Tribune” reported that a group of students had gathered on the steps of the university's administration building in protests related to the President. The group indicated that they were not trying to stop the speech, but they did want to ask university officials to not present the honorary law degree. The protest was apparently sponsored by a coalition of pro-life groups.
As the controversy began to grow, it was expected the event would become a magnet for pro-life groups protesting President Obama's actions and positions related to abortion and embryonic stem cell research. Terry's intent to lead protests in South Bend, Indiana was reported on 27 Mar 09 by WSBT, a South Bend CBS affiliate.
The groups to date have been rather small in size, however, the day of the event is likely to draw larger groups. Some parents of students have expressed concern that outside groups would overshadow graduation day. On 26 Mar 09, “U.S. News and World Report,” quoted a mom that related she was concerned “with the way 'outsiders' have hijacked this year's graduation to promote their own political agenda.”
Given the emotion of the issues and the publicity that surrounds the President, it is very likely that both pro-life and pro-abortion groups will be present for the event. Given the university's policy that protests may only be organized on campus by students, it is highly likely that outside groups will attempt to work through campus groups to work around the trespassing policies of the university."
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Posted on Sunday, May 10 @ 23:53:12 MDT by drbonebrake
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