A group of politicians are joining together to reject left and right labels—and they’re launching their organization from Lerner Hall.
No Labels is a new nonpartisan alliance of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents—with the slogan “Not left. Not right. Forward.”— that hopes to reach across party divisions and provide an alternative to political posturing which organizers say can hinder progress.
On Monday, Dec. 13, the group’s leaders will meet at Columbia for the official launch, which will feature speeches from big name politicians such as Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senators Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), former Congressman Tom Davis (R-Va.), and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., will also give student participants the opportunity to break into small discussion sessions throughout Lerner to debate practical problem solving nonpartisan solutions.
“We’re challenging ourselves to formulate solutions about the real issues at hand and allowing ourselves to agree on practical issues moving forward,” said Cara Buchanan, CC’11, and one of the students helping to promote the event.
“I envision it as going beyond the dichotomy of politics to explore change regardless of ideological affiliation,” she said.
Although the event is being hosted on Columbia’s campus, it is not organized by any student groups. No Labels is funding the event and has booked the space directly through their organization.
Dan Amzallag, CC ’11, one of the main student coordinators for the event, and a former Spectator reporter, said that Columbia is lucky to be the site of the launch.
“We’re really fortunate that they’ve chosen our campus because we have access to one of the most exciting political events this year,” he said. “No Labels ... is encouraging politicians to address politics in a more dynamic way on common ground. We can use that as a means of getting our elected officials to start addressing problems in a pragmatic and sensible way.”
Some student groups such as the Columbia Political Union have been involved in outreach. “We’re harnessing the high political energy on this campus to facilitate outreach,” Amzallag said.
Buchanan said she believes the event comes at an appropriate time for many students. “I think all of us have been a little frustrated by midterm elections. Having the event at Columbia will harness everyone’s spirit and branch out of these party focused ideologies.”
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