When Vice President Mike Pence took the stage for the commencement ceremony at Notre Dame this past weekend, over 100 graduates stood up—not in applause, but in silent protest. These students made the decision to leave the event as a demonstration against Pence and his policies.
Traditionally, the newly elected President is invited to deliver the commencement speech at Notre Dame, a prominent Catholic university. However, following a petition signed by more than two thousand students and faculty urging 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 Unite For Change. They aimed to conduct their demonstration with the utmost respect. Paul Adams, a spokesperson for Notre Dame, communicated with CNN prior to the event, expressing confidence that the students would express their dissent in a respectful manner. “We’re not concerned,” Adams stated. “We believe their expression will be measured.”
In a press release, the student group outlined their reasons for the walkout, highlighting Pence’s actions that they believe have negatively impacted the civil rights and protections of the LGBTQ+ community, his endorsement of Trump’s travel restrictions, his opposition to sanctuary cities, and his rejection of the Syrian refugee resettlement initiative. “These policies have marginalized our vulnerable brothers and sisters based on religion, race, or sexual orientation,” We Unite For Change stated. Their intent was to protest peacefully while standing in solidarity with those who are affected.
Although Pence did not directly address the students who left the ceremony, he voiced his discontent with the trend of colleges imposing trigger warnings and regulating hate speech under the guise of protecting free speech. “Many campuses in America are characterized by speech codes, safe zones, and administrative political correctness, which ultimately suppresses free speech,” Pence remarked during his speech. Ironically, his comments were lost on those who left, as they were not present to hear them.
The right to peaceful protest is enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that citizens have the right to assemble peacefully. The students informed the university of their protest plans and executed them in a manner that was intended to minimally disrupt the ceremony. This action represents not a movement of “political correctness,” but rather an exercise of democratic rights.
Pence was the final speaker of the day, and those who chose to walk out were not permitted to return, meaning they missed the ceremonial tassel turn that signifies their graduation. Nevertheless, it is clear that these students have taken away invaluable lessons about courage and standing up for their beliefs during their time at Notre Dame.
For more insightful information on topics related to home insemination, you might find this post intriguing. Additionally, a comprehensive resource on artificial insemination can be found at Make a Mom, which provides valuable insights. Lastly, for further reading on pregnancy and home insemination, check out Rmany.
Summary
Over 100 graduates at Notre Dame walked out of the commencement ceremony in protest of Vice President Mike Pence’s speech, citing his policies on civil rights and immigration as reasons for their demonstration. The students aimed to express their dissent respectfully while adhering to their constitutional rights. Their actions reflect a commitment to standing up for their beliefs, even at the cost of missing significant graduation traditions.