BYU won't let Demos protest on stairs day of Cheney speech

PROVO — Brigham Young University administrators turned down a request by the College Democrats club to protest on the stairs of the Marriott Center on April 26, when Vice President Dick Cheney will be the commencement speaker.

BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said the decision was a security issue and the administration and club are working on a different location.

College Democrats secretary Spencer Dorsey said they were told the demonstration would have to be 100 yards away from the building.

Club members have submitted a handful of other locations for consideration. Their top pick is on University Parkway near the entrance to the baseball stadium, Miller Field. Much of the traffic for the event would pass that site.

The club claims to have 500 people on its e-mail list. College Republicans president David Lassen said his club has an e-mail list of 2,000.

Lassen said Republicans haven't decided what to do on the day of Cheney's visit, but he said the club would be active.

"We hope to work with the College Democrats to try and provide a respectful, considerate environment for our graduating seniors and the man who holds one of the highest elected offices in the country."

Lassen also said he'll attend Cheney's speech, even though Lassen isn't graduating.

"I wouldn't miss it, not for the world," he said, "no matter what my political persuasion was."