Contact: John Ritchie, Tradition Family Property Student Action, 717-495-5427

HANOVER, Penn., Sept. 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- Tradition Family Property Student Action launched an online petition yesterday urging Fr. John I. Jenkins, president of Notre Dame, to drop trespassing charges levied against eighty-eight pro-life advocates who entered university property during the 2009 commencement address of President Obama.

Among those arrested are Ambassador Alan Keyes, Fr. Norman Weslin, and Norma McCorvey.

If Notre Dame does not drop the charges, the pro-life advocates face up to one year in jail. "As the original complainant," the petition reads, "Notre Dame has the choice to drop the charges."

Lifesitenews.com reports: "While witnesses say pro-Obama protesters were allowed to roam free, the arrested individuals were singled out for displaying any pro-life message -- including slogans on the sanctity of life, photographs of aborted children, a large wooden cross, and images of Mary." Notre Dame "has repeatedly refused to seek such leniency or even answer the pro-lifers' requests for dialogue."

"The double standard is shocking," said James Bascom, TFP Student Action volunteer. "Why does the most pro-abortion president in American history receive an honorary degree while pro-lifers receive a jail term? Pro-life Americans should respectfully ask Fr. Jenkins to drop the charges."

All pro-lifers are invited to sign the "Drop the Charges" petition to Fr. Jenkins here.