Antiwar Protests Greet Rice at Boston College

By KATIE ZEZIMA
As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice prepared to accept an honorary degree from Boston College today, a small plane flew overhead pulling a sign that said, "Your war brings dishonor."

It was one of the hundreds of signs of protests to the Iraq war that her visit to the Jesuit campus brought as 3,234 students prepared to receive their diplomas. Several hundred graduating students wore white armbands with a circle with a red line through the word "war," and many hoisted signs that said "no honorary degree."

Two women brought in a large banner reading, "Would Jesus bomb?"

Ms. Rice's visit has provoked protests ever since Boston College announced a month ago that she would be honored during today's ceremony. But today, even though some of the students turned their backs on Ms. Rice, more of them stood and applauded as she was introduced.

In her remarks, Ms. Rice told the graduates that their education comes with responsibilities.

"There is nothing wrong with holding an opinion and holding it passionately," she said. "But at those times when you are absolutely sure you're right, go find someone who disagrees."

Before the ceremony, many of those gathered here at Alumni Stadium Field said they did not so much mind that she is the speaker, but said they were upset that Boston College would grant her an honorary degree.

"I'm appalled that this university would honor someone who is an architect of this war, who uses young men and women to be fodder in a war we shouldn't be in," said John Cawthorme, the associate dean of students at the school of education. "She stands for everything we don't stand for here. To honor her says we agree with everything she does, and I don't want to be part of that."

In an interview with Boston reporters on Sunday, Ms. Rice said she respected the right of students and professors to voice their opinions of her visit, saying it was a sign of the democracy that the United States is trying to establish in Iraq.

" People have a right to say whatever they wish and that's the great blessing of living in a free country," she said. "I would just say that when people exercise that right, they should think about people who don't live in freedom. They should think about what it would have meant to try and exercise your right to free speech under Saddam Hussein or under the Taliban."

A letter written by two theology professors, and signed by more than 10 percent of the faculty kicked off the opposition to Ms. Rice.

"On the levels of both moral principle and practical moral judgment, Secretary Rice's approach to international affairs is in fundamental conflict with Boston College's commitment to the values of the Catholic and Jesuit traditions and is inconsistent with the humanistic values that inspire the university's work," the letter said.

The Rev. David Hollenbach, one of the letter writers, has said that he has no objection to Ms. Rice speaking, but that she did not deserve an honorary degree.

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