Students walk out on Santorum graduation speech
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Dozens of graduates walked out of Saint Joseph University's commencement rather than see Sen. Rick Santorum awarded an honorary degree. WPVI's Amy Buckman reports (May 19)
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PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- Several dozen students walked out of Sunday's commencement ceremonies at St. Joseph's University, where Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum was receiving an honorary degree.
The Republican has come under fire for comments comparing homosexuality to adultery, incest, bigamy and polygamy during an interview with The Associated Press in which he argued there was no constitutional "right to privacy."
In addition to receiving the honorary degree, the senator delivered the commencement speech, with talk that could be interpreted as a challenge to his critics: "Revolution starts at home, in your heart, in your refusal to compromise your beliefs and your values."
A handful of protesters bearing placards -- "No More Rick in 2006" and "No to Santorum" could be spotted -- greeted parents and students as they arrived for commencement.
One guest said the day should have been free of politics.
"I disagree with what [Santorum] said. But on the other hand, it's their graduation day and they should have this day free from the politics of his comments," one woman told a local television reporter. "I don't want to interfere with their day. They worked really hard for this."
St. Joseph's is a Jesuit school with 7,130 students, including 3,800 undergraduates. Santorum is a devout Catholic.
