SOUTH BEND — A crowd of protesters is descending on South Bend this morning in advance of President Barack Obama’s commencement visit to the University of Notre Dame.

By 9 a.m. the now familiar site of anti-abortion and anti-Obama protesters with graphic signs was visible at Notre Dame’s main gate.

Paul Lash, 41, said he drove to South Bend with about 10 others from two Catholic churches in Dayton, Ohio. He was standing next to a graphic abortion sign. Because of Obama’s support of abortion rights, lash said he disagrees with Notre Dame’s decision to invite and honor the president. Lash said he used to support Notre Dame, but will no longer.

“Judge not, that ye be not judged,” reads a sign held by Daniel Jaworski, 52, of South Bend, who is sitting in a lawn chair near Notre Dame’s main gate.

“If I was a student, I would consider it an honor to have the president of the United States at my commencement,” said Jaworskie, who was wearing a Notre Dame baseball cap. He was surrounded by anti-Obama protesters.

By 8:30, a dozen or so protesters were visible standing near the exit to the Indiana Toll Road. There is a heavy police presence on and around campus, but all is peaceful this morning.

A steady stream of vehicles is coming onto campus with graduates and their families. Most are showing no reaction to the protesters.