Students and Faculty Walk Out of Vice President Mike Pence's Commencement Address at Taylor Universi

[babylonsister]

Students and Faculty Walk Out of Vice President Mike Pence's Commencement Address at Taylor University
By Gillian Edevane On 5/18/19 at 3:29 PM EDT


As Vice President Mike Pence gave the Saturday morning commencement address at Taylor University — a Christian school in Pence's home state of Indiana — dozens of graduating seniors and faculty walked out in protest.

The small demonstration came after Taylor students and members of the surrounding Upland, Indiana, community started an online petition to bar Pence from giving the address, citing concerns that it could be construed as an endorsement of President Donald Trump’s policies.

Not everyone who protested the speech walked out. Some remained at the ceremony but quietly denounced Pence’s presence by sporting buttons that declared, “I am Taylor Too,” which appeared intended to show that the university houses a multitude of viewpoints and should not be defined by its invitation to Pence.

Close to 10,000 people signed the Change.org sheet, although only a fraction of the roughly 500 graduating students actually ended up walking out of the speech. Still, the demonstration marked a rare instance in which a member of the Trump administration was rebuffed in what was supposed to be friendly territory.

“Inviting Vice President Pence to Taylor University and giving him a coveted platform for his political views makes our alumni, faculty, staff and current students complicit in the Trump-Pence Administration's policies, which we believe are not consistent with the Christian ethic of love we hold dear,” the petition read. A counter petition also sprung up supporting his presence, although that garnered thousands of fewer signatures.

more...

https://www.newsweek.com/students-and-faculty-walk-out-vice-pres-mike-pences-commencement-address-1429607

[hlthe2b]

1. I think it is beyond contempt for administration to ignore MAJOR concerns from students & faculty

(and parents) for such an important once in a lifetime event. They paid for their education in many ways beyond monetary and should not be subject to an address from someone the clear majority oppose.

[marybourg]

2. Wearing a button saying "I am Taylor, too" and staying put while

others walk out is interpreted by Newsweek as a quiet denunciation? You could’a fooled me.

[Mc Mike]

3. Good.

But maybe they should have taken a knee and made HIM walk out.

[griloco]

5. Lol

[EveHammond13]

4. Mike Dense

[CaptYossarian]

6. Micro-Penis.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

7. Good for them!

[saidsimplesimon]

8. Congratulations to the student and faculty

I stand with you.