Alan Keyes announces plans to be arrested at ND commencement; urges others to join in protest

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Dr. Alan Keyes

South Bend, Ind., May 6, 2009 / 04:05 pm (CNA).- Former U.S. Diplomat Alan Keyes has announced that he will be present at the University of Notre Dame on May 17 and is planning to be arrested for protesting President Obama’s invitation to speak and receive an honorary degree at the ceremony.

In his statement released Wednesday, Keyes notes that he "will go to South Bend. I will step foot on the Notre Dame campus to lift up the standard that protects the life of the innocent children of this and every generation. I will do it all day and every day from now until the Master comes if need be, though it mean I shall be housed every day in the prison house of lies and injustice that Obama, Jenkins and their minions now mean to construct for those who will never be still and silent in the face of their mockery of God and justice, their celebration of evil"

He urges others to join him saying: "If this be trespass, then forgive us our trespasses and join us in trespassing until the South Bend jail is filled to overflowing with witnesses to truth."

"I ask others who all these years have prayed and labored for the unborn to join us. I know you are there. I have broken bread with you at dinners for crisis pregnancy centers and right to life groups. I have marched with you to proclaim the sanctity of innocent life, and decry the laws that sanction its destruction. I have been uplifted by your faith, your perseverance, your love of God and His Son. The forces of evil mean to lay final claim to a place supposed to be within the precincts of our God and Lord. Come what may, we must come forth now to occupy and hold it against them," he concludes.

To read Dr. Keyes full statement, visit: www.StopObamaNotreDame.com

Comments: 21

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Anna
Pikeville, TN 05/17/2009 05:21 AM EST

Leave the protests at home. Let the youngsters have their day already. They earned it and should be proud. What a privilege to have any US President speak at their graduation ceremonies. This centurion says "Arrest all the freaks and tell them to stay home"

Published by: ND alum
Dayton/Ohio/USA 05/16/2009 01:58 PM EST

This is ridiculous. I respect everyone's right to free speech about abortion, but using these ND graduates' graduation as a vehicle for your political stunts is a shame! Many Catholics and Catholic clergy are taking advantage of the situation to make a complete and uncivil brouhaha at Notre Dame's expense. Going to campus to purposefully cause commotion and get arrested? How self-righteous is this? Graphic pictures of babies drenched with painted blood on other people's lawns? Grow up!!

Fr. Jenkins and Fr. Hesburgh, bless them for being wise and mature enough to see that welcoming Obama does not equal ignoring a Catholic identity. Bless them! WE SUPPORT YOU, NOTRE DAME AND FR. JENKINS!

Published by: Joe McLaughlin
San Antonio FL USA 05/12/2009 02:57 PM EST

Alan Keyes has consistently spoken in support of the innocent, defenseless unborn. Some in this forum have argued (illogically) that it is for his political gain. Since when has a pro life position been politically advantageous in the U.S.A. ?? This is a moral absolute; as such abortion cannot be tolerated. Please separate the actual act of abortion from the people who are caught up in that practice. They are worth saving. the sin is not.

Published by: Peggy Smith
Bensalem,PA, USA 05/12/2009 02:48 PM EST

God Bless Dr. Alan Keyes.
It's a real shame he wasn't the first "black" American president!

Published by: Jonathan
Sunnyvale CA 05/12/2009 05:31 AM EST

This appears to be personal grandstanding on the abortion railway. Pro choice polices would reduce --> the need for abortions if properly implemented.

A married couple's right to choose a birth control system to allow them choose when to have a family should be there decision.

Improved media campaigns (ongoing) that support birth control products that would eliminate the need for abortions or at best reduce the amount at this time.

Abortion is not the issue but proper family planning is the issue.

Published by: John
Bellmawr NJ USA 05/10/2009 01:04 PM EST

Thanks Alan Keyes, I pray for you and for Obama to change his stance on abortion.I guess if you be for killing babies in the MOTHER's womb, you wouldn't been arrested.

Published by: sean
New York 05/09/2009 06:30 AM EST

Alan Keyes has nothing, low profile and hate mongering. Gob bless President obama

Published by: Ronald
Boston/MA/USA 05/09/2009 02:44 AM EST

Keyes is a spotlight loving politician at heart. Sorry Obama won what you couldn't. Obama is a much better person than Mr. Keyes. I hope they put Keyes in jail quickly so he can see how the other half lives. Maybe he can evangelize the drunk tank in the St. Joseph County Jail. Seriously, Keyes needs to get over himself. Whatever happened to the Catholic social teachings on humility and tolerance for others? Someone doesn't agree with you so you tell them they are evil from your high horse? Get over yourself. WWJD. What happened to that Mr. Keyes? Doesn't fit your political agenda? No wonder you'll never win an election amongst normal people who listen to their conscience.

Published by: Gary
Lawrence, Kansas,U.S. 05/08/2009 12:01 AM EST

to Frank robert in Bremerton, it would appear you made a reference to my grandstanding remark, let me clarify. My remark was in reference to Dr. Keyes statement that he intended specifically to go to Notre Dame to be arrested. Clearly Dr. Keyes, as I was trying to point out, knows full well that he will be able, as will others, to protest in a lawful and peaceful manner. He knows this, but for effect, and Dr. Keyes is a man who loves "effect" I am sure he would like nothing better than to be hauled off in handcuffs. As for the 1st amendment message, it was I who made that reference when I stated clearly in my letter that both Dr. Keyes and the President had these rights. I memorized the Bill of rights in 6th grade. My criticism was not of Dr. Keyes opinion that the President should not have been offered an honorarium,(I share those same beliefs with you and him), but of his overly dramatic academy award winning performance in regard to how he would protest. But by all means people should protest, and pray.

Published by: Louis T Luca Jr
Haworth, N.J. U.S.A. 05/07/2009 06:47 PM EST

I know it may seem like grandstanding for Dr, Alan Keyes to make the statement he has, but at least he is consistent in his views, and he is certainly not sitting on his duff, like thousands of supposed catholics are doing.
At least, he is praying for the 50 million souls who have been butchered, not aborted.
That's more than those 'catholics' are doing. Just look in the mirror and you will know who you are.

Published by: Cw
Wichita, KS USA 05/07/2009 02:42 PM EST

I applaud Dr. Alan Keyes!!! Amen, and may everyone be safe!!!

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe/NM/US 05/07/2009 12:37 PM EST

Dr. Keyes is a great Catholic American. He has earned all our support.

Published by: Patrick
Boardman/OH/USA 05/07/2009 11:11 AM EST

Is all of Mr. Keyes opinions in line with the Church's positions? This situation with Pres. Obama has a life of its own. Pres. Obama should decline the invitation at ND and let Keyes, Newt or "Boss Limbaugh" speak. They would trip over each other for the platform and a chance to show their true selves by bashing Obama on all fronts. Oh, the praise the Church would lavish on them regardless of their anti-life positions on many fronts.

Published by: Phil
Riverside/ CA/ USA 05/07/2009 02:18 AM EST

I couldn't have said it better Dr. Alan Keyes...Keep fighting the good fight!

Published by: Frankrobert
Bremerton wa 05/07/2009 01:50 AM EST

I am glad that someone of high profile is willing to take a stand and risk arrest. What is wrong with taking a stand? Notre Dame, a Catholic University, is in effect endorsing Obama and his pro-choice position and thumbing its nose at the Bishops, and the rest of the Church. The Bishops apparently are powerless over the matter of him receiving an honorary PHD from ND, so all they can ask us to do is pray. That is why it is important for those who can protest to do so. Dr Keyes, has a right, even if "grandstanding" to protest, just check the first amendment to the US constitution. I would love to join him but I am almost 2000 miles away. I do hope a good number up protesters show up, and demonstrate peaceably while the rest of us pray.

Published by: Ken Golden
Davenport, Iowa 05/07/2009 12:48 AM EST

It is quite common for folks to point a finger at a man such as Alan Keyes and say he is out of line. Don't go there. Great activists are those who bring attention to the cause. Many of us are standing on the sideline in this battle for life. We are allowing evil forces to have their way. We protest verbally and then do not stand besides brave men such as Mr. Keyes. He has made me think about what I could do to fight for the lives of children.

Published by: M.Kathleen Clancy
white Lake, MI USA 05/06/2009 08:13 PM EST

I am not able to be at Notre Dame UN but want to applaud Alan Keyes for his strong support of the
unborn and position against all abortion activities. We will be praying for him and Obama.

Published by: Nina
Portland OR U.S.A. 05/06/2009 07:15 PM EST

God bless you, Ambassador Keyes!!

Published by: Gary
Lawrence, Kansas,U.S. 05/06/2009 06:55 PM EST

While I agree that Notre Dame should not have invited President Obama to speak, certainly not if it mean giving him an honorary degree, and whereas I also agree that the Church must stand for the sanctity of life, it seems that Mr. Keyes is grandstanding a bit when he talks about coming to Notre Dame to be arrested. I'm certain that he will not be the only one protesting the President's visit, and however you feel about the President,I am sure that one thing he does stand for is freedom of speech. I assume that Mr. Keyes will not be protesting in any violent way, nor will try to stop the Preident from speaking at all. That is an entirely different matter. As I said before I agree that it was not right for Notre Dame to issue the invitation in lieu of the church's teaching on the sanctity of life, but that being already a "done" deal the President, as do we all have first amendment rights. I would assume Mr. Keyes agrees.

Published by: Seán Rian
missoula, Montana USA 05/06/2009 06:45 PM EST

Bishop J. M. D'Arcy has spoken very clearly that what Notre Dame did was wrong, BUT has asked that we pray and not protest. Then we have Alan Keyes, a man who is somehow above the bishop and above our church, and suggests that we ignore Bishop J. M. D'Arcy and protest anyway.

Published by: Iraqi Laqi
Baton Rouge, La, USA 05/06/2009 06:45 PM EST

Rate: Regular

Mr Keyes will do anything to stay in the limelight.

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