Charges have been dropped against 94 protesters arrested at Notre Dame two years ago.
The protesters, who thought President Barack Obama shouldn't be allowed to speak at the Roman Catholic university’s commencement because of his support of abortion rights and embryonic stem-cell research, faced trespassing charges from events leading up to the speech. They were denied entry to campus, but later arrested when they wouldn't leave.
The St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office announced Thursday the university and defendants met and resolved the situation, and the prosecutor won't stand in the way of their agreement.
The protesters’ legal defense group, the Thomas More Society, released a statement shortly after the prosecutor’s announcement.
“This is a big step forward and a victory for the pro-life cause,” said Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Society. “We are appreciative of the steps that Notre Dame has taken, including successive visits by University President John Jenkins, C.S.C., and other campus leaders to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., both in 2010 and 2011, to mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and the creation of new and significant pro-life initiatives on campus. 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.”
