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| TOM BREJCHA |
An Indiana prosecutor has dropped charges against almost all of the
“ND88” pro-life demonstrators arrested for protesting President Barack
Obama’s 2009 commencement appearance at the University of Notre Dame.
St. Joseph County prosecutor Michael Dvorak dropped the criminal
trespass charges as part of an agreement between the Chicago-based
Thomas More Society and the university.
“This is a big step forward and a victory for the pro-life cause,”
said Tom Brejcha, Thomas More Society president and chief counsel.
Though the long controversy had generated bitter feelings, each side emphasized the need to reconcile.
Notre Dame president Fr. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. said he was “sincerely pleased” that the charges have been dismissed.
“From the start, everyone involved in this difficult matter has been
in complete accord on the sanctity of human life, and we all remain
committed to continuing our work to support life from conception to
natural death,” he said.
Brejcha voiced appreciation for the steps Notre Dame has taken to
mark the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision on
abortion. He noted Fr. Jenkins’ participation in the March for Life in
Washington, D.C. in 2010 and 2011.
“Those who share pro-life convictions may differ on tactics and
approaches, but they best serve their sacred cause when they work
together to secure the common good for all human beings, born and unborn
alike, rather than carrying on as courtroom antagonists,” Brejcha said.
The Thomas More Society said both parties remain in “profound
disagreement” over the commencement but they have decided to “put their
differences behind them” and affirm their agreement on pro-life issues.
Both parties have pledged “not to rehash the events of the past” but
to recognize each other’s pro-life efforts and to work together to
maximize their impact on the “contentious” debate over abortion.
At the time of the protests, opponents of President Obama’s
commencement speech and honorary degree cited his support for abortion
and the Catholic bishops’ instructions against honoring political
leaders who support abortion.
Many were arrested on campus at the time of the commencement.
The 94
arrestees included Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry and Obama’s
Illinois U.S. Senate race opponent Alan Keyes.
Demonstrators engaged in prayer and held pro-life signs.
Their
defenders said Notre Dame engaged in discriminatory treatment by
allowing demonstrators supportive of Obama on campus.
They also said
that participants in past unauthorized protests, including
pro-homosexual rights and anti-ROTC demonstrations, were not treated as
harshly.
The Sycamore Trust, a Notre Dame alumni group dedicated to supporting
the university’s Catholic identity, said it would have been “far
better” had the university dropped the case two years ago.
“There is no way now for the University to erase the damage these
prosecutions have caused to its pro-life standing through the drumbeat
of criticism from pro-life forces,” it said May 5.
The organization noted that the dropping of charges took place in the
context of an agreement not to sue for damages.
However, it still
praised the move as “a very welcome development.”