The man who will most likely pardon Trump?
Students walk out Notre Dame commencement as , crowds, protesters line up for Notre Dame commencement and Pence speech
SOUTH BEND - The large audience for Notre Dame's commencement filed into the football stadium Sunday morning, with the worst of overnight rain showers having passed, as protesters took their positions and waved signs ahead of a speech by Vice President Mike Pence.
Protesters lined Angela Boulevard, outside the campus grounds, to voice their opposition to Pence.
They are targeting the former Indiana governor's views on abortion, gay rights, gun control and immigration. But they are also unhappy with President Trump.
"I came out because I wanted to be involved with other activists looking to resist the Trump agenda," said Jorden Giger, of South Bend.
Groups such as We Go High! of St. Joseph County, Michiana Alliance for Democracy, South Bend Equality and Planned Parenthood Community Action Partners of Northwestern Indiana planned to take part in the protest.
"His stance on women is disturbing to me, women's health issues...It's not just policy but also rhetoric all meant to keep women 'in their place,' " said Heather Collins, of South Bend. "Notre Dame has the right to invite whomever. I think it's disrespectful to the LGBT students to invite someone with such bigoted beliefs."
Mike Zeider, of Clinton Township in Michigan, said he and friends came out "to support everyone's First Amendment right, and make sure that everyone that wants to exercise that right as Americans have the ability to do so without the threat of violence."
"I'm supportive of the president in the VP as an American," he added, "but everyone has the right as an American to question authority."
Meanwhile, some students have said they planned to walk out of the commencement ceremony before Pence begins his speech.
On Saturday, Pence was the commencement speaker at Grove City College, a private, Christian liberal arts school in Pennsylvania. He urged the graduating students to answer the "call of leadership."
"Remember now, people follow people they respect," he said. "So first and foremost you must aspire to be men and women of character."
He also touted Trump's stances on education, the military and abortion.
"I can't tell you how proud I am to vice president to a president who stands without apology for the sanctity of life and all the God-given liberties in the Constitution of the United States," Pence said.
http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/politics/students-walk-out-notre-dame-commencement-as-crowds-protesters-line/article_20104834-3e2c-11e7-8a0c-bfe8e6db6fff.html