Keyes arrested at Notre Dame over protest

[Nagishkaw 510]

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Former Republican presidential candidate Alan Keyes and 17 others have been arrested after marching on to the University of Notre Dame campus to protest President Obama's commencement speech Sunday.

It was the latest in a series of protests that have divided this community during preparations for what normally is a festive weekend.

The intersection of Angela Boulevard and Notre Dame Avenue is the main entrance to the University of Notre Dame campus, providing a dramatic view of the fabled Golden Dome atop the Main Building.Most of the time, the intersection is filled with students, faculty and neighborhood residents.

But for the last few weeks, it has been the epicenter of one of America's most enduring and divisive topics of debate: abortion.Anti-abortion activists have descended on South Bend from across the U.S. for the last three weeks and thousands more are expected this weekend — most armed with Bibles and graphic images of aborted fetuses.

They are here to protest the invitation for Obama to speak and receive an honorary degree at one of the nation's premier Catholic universities. The Catholic Church opposes abortion; Obama opposes an abortion ban.

Keyes, a fiery conservative who lost an Illinois Senate race to Obama by a landslide in 2004, has been arrested twice for trespassing on the Notre Dame campus since the demonstrations began. Randall Terry, founder of the controvesial anti-abortion group Operation Rescue, said he deliberately avoided arrest Friday so he could continue to lead protests.

The controversy generated by Obama's appearance is putting a new spotlight on abortion — an issue that was overshadowed during the presidential campaign by the economy and war.

"This is our first opportunity to successfully connect Obama to the abortion holocaust," explained Mark Harrington, executive director of the California-based Center for Bioethical Reform, one of the pro-life groups that have taken a lead in the Notre Dame protests."This has forced the issue."

It remains to be seen, however, if the protests can re-invigorate the national debate or make any converts.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that Obama plans to "make mention" of abortion when he appears her. But Gibbs signalled that abortion will not be a major theme of the president's address. Obama is "cognizant of the fact that this is a commencement ceremony," the president's chief spokesman said. "This is a special occasion for families to celebrate."

Following the commencement speech, Obama will headline a set of fundraisers in Indianapolis to raise money for the Democratic National Committee and four members of Congress from Indiana. It's Obama's first fundraiser as president for Democratic House members.

As the number of protesters ballooned here this week, a steady stream of passersby shared their opinions as they drove through the intersection."Go home!" a man shouted from the window of a pickup, waving an extended middle finger at the crowd. "Keep up the fight!" a middle-age man urged the pro-lifers.

"Why are you ruining our graduation?" a student yelled as he drove out of the campus.

"We get about four people who give us the finger for every one person who gives us a thumbs up," said Dave Daubenmire, 56, an anti-abortion activist from Columbus, Ohio.In addition to those gathered at the intersection, several large trucks plastered with pictures of Obama, aborted fetuses and Bible verses make continuous loops between the campus and downtown.

And when weather permits, a plane towing a banner featuring a picture of the president and an aborted fetus circles the campus.But many Notre Dame students — including those who are Catholic and oppose abortion — say they wish the protesters would pack up their gory posters and go away so the graduates can enjoy their big day without the distraction.

That isn't going to happen.For nearly a month, anti-abortion activists such as 70-year-old Ronald Brock — a vagabond pro-life protester who drives an old Toyota pickup with a camper covered in bible verses and images of abortions — have trekked to South Bend in an effort to revive the abortion debate.

Organizers say thousands more are on the way for Sunday. Major pro-choice groups, such as Planned Parenthood of Indiana, have chosen to stay away from campus and out of the fray, but the intersection has attracted a small group of independent counter-protesters.

Holding a hand-lettered sign that said "Leave Our City Alone," Lydia Dreyer, 19, of South Bend and two friends stood toe-to-toe with the pro-life protesters Thursday. "Almost all of these people are from out-of-town," said Dreyer, who just finished her freshman year at Butler University in Indianapolis.

"They don't have any connection to Notre Dame or South Bend. They're just here to cause trouble."Chelsea Biggs, 19, who will start her sophomore year at Indiana University in the fall, agreed."One man, even if he is the president, is not going to make a legislative decision that ends abortion," she said. "I really think this is all about them getting attention."

Even among pro-life supporters, divisions are creeping up as the abortion opponents jockey to attract attention to their cause.

"I'm very pro-life and I completely understand why the people who are here protesting are upset," said Bryan Jackson of Atlanta, who will receive his degree from Notre Dame on Sunday."But the protests are getting old. The kids who are graduating didn't invite President Obama to speak here and some of the things going on are a little over-the-top. I have a 12-year-old brother who is going to be here for graduation. How are we supposed to explain those pictures and everything that is going on to him? We shouldn't have to."

Harrington, however, is unapologetic about the in-your-face approach."Unless people see these graphic images, they aren't bothered by abortion," he said. "Otherwise, it remains an abstract concept. So we are purposely bothering people to get them to think differently."

He isn't concerned about any potential disruption to the graduation events, Harrington said:"The fact of the matter is that Americans don't deserve nice commencement ceremonies as long as we are slaughtering innocent babies. We want this commencement to be remembered as the time that Notre Dame, supposedly the country's premier Catholic university, turned its back on the unborn."

Notre Dame spokesman Dennis Brown didn't want to talk about the protesters or controversy over Obama's visit, saying this weekend is about celebrating the achievements of the school's more than 2,100 graduates."That's what the focus should be on," he said.Campus and South Bend police say they are prepared to maintain order Sunday. And for all the national attention, Capt. Phil Trent, spokesman for the South Bend Police Department, puts things in perspective.

"While we are expecting a large crowd, it will be nothing like a Notre Dame football game," he said of the fall weekend events that can draw nearly 90,000."A football game brings in four or five times what we are expecting Sunday."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-0...est-keyes_N.htm

[msu17 0]

People like that drive me absolutely nuts. First of all, being a one issue voter is narrow minded and frankly, stupid. Second of all, whatever your view on graphic images, they are NOT appropriate for children and should most definitely be put away on graduation day. And third, these students have worked hard for 3+ years and deserve a nice graduation. If you want to ruin a special day for thousands of families because you think that will help your cause, you are a complete jerk and hope that it comes back to you 10 fold.

[c_and_a 0]

If you don't go to Notre Dame, you shouldn't even have a position on this issue. It is their own business.

[Tygrys 143]

If you don't go to Notre Dame, you shouldn't even have a position on this issue. It is their own business.

And why is that? Me, for example, I like to have my own opinion on many things, even though some of them may not concern me directly. Anything wrong about this?

[SP&JM 0]

Why don't they go protest outside the white house? Or outside congress? Why ruin a important, special weekend for some students because the president is going to be there 1 hour? Go protest in D.C. where the policies are made, and leave politics out of it.

How sad for the graduating seniors and their families...

[Caladan 19]

If you don't go to Notre Dame, you shouldn't even have a position on this issue. It is their own business.

I went to ND. President Bush spoke at my graduation in May 2001. There were a few peaceful, respectful protests. Some students put white bands on their mortarboards to signify opposition to the death penalty, and overall it was a nice experience.

This circus is embarrassing. I feel bad for the graduates, because they don't deserve to have their day hijacked by some also-ran political agenda.

[AlHayatZween 2]

in a way it's good though because universities should be places for debate, protest, and dialogue.

although, i can see how it might be annoying for parents who just shelled out 100K+, and just want to see their kids graduate.

Edited May 16, 2009 by AlHayatZween

[Caladan 19]

And at ND, you can find many instances of debate and dialogue over pro-life issues! Keyes pulling stunts, though, ain't it.

[c_and_a 0]

If you don't go to Notre Dame, you shouldn't even have a position on this issue. It is their own business.

And why is that? Me, for example, I like to have my own opinion on many things, even though some of them may not concern me directly. Anything wrong about this?

No, I spoke too broadly. Of course, in the United States everyone can have an opinion on anything they want.

However I feel that it is in poor taste to ruin what is supposed to be a special day for the graduates by pissing and moaning about this.

Plus Alan Keyes is just a joke. The personal hatred he has for Obama is laughable. I'm far from Obama's biggest fan but I have enough things to worry about to the point where I don't have to constantly try to belittle him like Alan Keyes.

Edited May 16, 2009 by c_and_a