During this weekend’s graduation ceremony at Notre Dame, more than 100 students stood up as Vice President Mike Pence took the stage. However, they did not rise in applause but instead quietly exited the event in a show of dissent against Pence and his policies.
Traditionally, the newly inaugurated President is invited to deliver the commencement address at Notre Dame, a Catholic institution. This year, following a petition signed by over 2,000 students and faculty urging the university president, Rev. John Jenkins, not to invite Donald Trump, the invitation was extended to Pence, the former Governor of Indiana.
The protest was organized by a student group known as We StaND For, who aimed to conduct their demonstration with utmost respect. Paul Browne, a spokesperson for Notre Dame, informed CNN that the students had coordinated their plans with campus police and administration prior to the ceremony. “We’re not worried,” Browne remarked before the event. “We believe they will express their differences respectfully.”
In a press release, the student organization outlined their reasons for the walkout, highlighting Pence’s actions that they believe infringe on the civil rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, his endorsement of Trump’s travel ban, his opposition to sanctuary cities, and his rejection of the Syrian refugee resettlement program. “These policies have marginalized our vulnerable siblings based on religion, race, or sexual orientation,” stated We StaND For. Their protest was designed to stand in solidarity with those who are often neglected, while remaining respectful of differing opinions.
Although Pence did not directly address the students who departed early, he expressed his discontent with the climate of certain college campuses, which he claimed are plagued by speech codes and political correctness that suppress free expression. “Many campuses across America are characterized by tone policing, safe zones, and administration-sanctioned political correctness, which amounts to the suppression of the freedom of speech,” Pence remarked during his address. Ironically, his comments were lost on the protesting students who were not present to hear them.
The right to peacefully protest is a fundamental aspect of the First Amendment, which guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. By notifying the campus of their intention to protest and ensuring it was as non-disruptive as possible, these students demonstrated civic engagement rather than mere political correctness. It’s democracy in action.
As the final speaker of the program, Pence concluded the ceremony, but those students who walked out were not permitted reentry, missing the traditional tassel-turning ceremony that signifies graduation. Nevertheless, they gained invaluable lessons in courage and standing firm for their beliefs during their time at Notre Dame, demonstrating that education extends beyond textbooks.
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Summary:
Over 100 Notre Dame graduates walked out during Vice President Mike Pence’s commencement speech to protest his policies regarding civil rights, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. The student group We StaND For organized the peaceful demonstration, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement and the right to protest. Despite missing the traditional graduation ceremony, the students highlighted the values of strength and courage they had learned throughout their education.
Keyphrase: Notre Dame graduation protest
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