Anti-abortion demonstrators gathered at Seton Hill University in Greensburg Wednesday to protest the appearance of a supporter of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, who supports a woman's right to choose an abortion.
Shari Lewis of Latrobe, who helped organize the protest, said it was wrong for "a Catholic university" to host Doug Kmiec, a former assistant attorney general who teaches at Pepperdine Law School.
Kmiec was slated to meet with voters to discuss why Obama is the "right candidate for voters of faith," and to encourage students to get involved in the campaign, according to a Seton Hill press release.
Part of the protest group met briefly with a university official before Kmiec's noontime speech. "We asked that the speaker be called off because his rhetoric is against Catholic Church teaching" on abortion, Lewis said.
Seton Hill officials defended Kmiec's appearance on the grounds that student organizations "may host political candidates or their representatives" as long as certain rules are followed. Kmiec's visit was sponsored by the student Democratic club.
"Seton Hill, as a matter of policy, does not endorse or support (Kmiec's) views," the statement read.
University officials said they took the same position when Republican U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback appeared at Seton Hill in early September.
An estimated 30 people took part in yesterday's protest, which was staged at the school's entrance on College Avenue.
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