Nearly 40 protesters who opposed President Obama’s appearance at the University of Notre Dame’s commencement ceremony were arrested May 17, reports the Associated Press. Protesters believed that the president should not speak at the ceremony due to his support of abortion rights.
According to AP, at least 39 people were arrested at the university’s front gate for trespassing. Among those arrested was Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff in the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal. She now opposes abortion.
Protesters were also arrested days before the ceremony. Demonstrators were told that they could protest around town; however, they were not allowed to protest on campus, and if they did, they would be arrested. On May 15, 21 individuals were charged with trespassing. Bond was set for $250.
Additionally, six of those arrested May 15 participated in the May 17 protests as well, and therefore their bond was set for $1,000.
Three people were ejected from the actual ceremony for shouting anti-abortion slogans during the commencement speech.
The university gave permission to a student group who opposed Obama’s speech, ND Response, to hold a protest on the west end of the South Quad during the ceremony. According to AP, university officials expected 20 to 30 students to attend the prayer vigil.
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