Vice President Pence gives commencement speech at Notre Dame

Ixtlaly Estrada makes remarks after Notre Dame students walked out of the commencement ceremony in opposition opposed to the Trump administration’s policies, as Vice President Mike Pence was introduced at No. “And anyone who thinks they can will always hear from those who are sure they can’t”.

He then added his own words, “And so persistence men and women”.

Colwell says Pence will probably err on the side of a traditional speech.

“We love our daughter and we support her. We have plans in place for such weather emergencies, but we hate to disappoint so many people”, Browne said. “I’m standing with my chest puffed out right now for what she (Cassandra) did”. The South Bend, Ind. school often invites presidents to address students during their first year in office – a tradition that has garnered such speakers as Presidents Obama, both Bushes, Reagan, Carter, and Eisenhower.

“Father Jenkins, Board of Trustees, distinguished members of the faculty, my fellow honorees, guests, grandparents, parents, family and friends gathered here”, Pence began after most protesters had cleared out and boos had died down.

The vice president used his speech to rally against what he characterized as an attack on “free expression” on other college campuses, which Pence said “jeopardizes the liberties of every American”.

Pence praised Notre Dame for welcoming deliberation and allowing visiting speakers, no matter how unpopular, to be allowed to speak their minds in the open. “But we must also listen to those who disagree, care for the bonds that join us together and find ways to build a society where all flourish”. Before Pence spoke, valedictorian Caleb Joshua Pine appeared to take issue with the president as he urged his fellow graduates to “stand against scapegoating of Muslims”. He also received an honorary degree. They say it’s over his stances on healthcare, immigration and LGBTQ rights.

Likewise, critics of the planned Notre Dame graduation protest argued that participating it was evidence of students being weak, unprepared for the real world and tools of the liberal teaching at universities across America.

“And congratulations to a generation of promise: the University of Notre Dame class of 2017”.

Protest organizer Bryan Ricketts tells the South Bend Tribune he expects 50 to 100 fellow graduating students to silently leave just as the vice president starts speaking to almost 2,100 graduating students and their families. “Choose which way you want to go”.

“It reminds me very much of the Watergate days with the Nixon administration, only it took Richard Nixon five years”.