Amelie Lee ’23
Copy Editor Intern
On Wednesday, Nov. 6. the Democrats of the Claremont Colleges hosted presidential candidate Marianne Williamson for a two hour-long town-hall in the Scripps Hampton Room. This event was followed by a subsequent event at the Pomona Rose Hill theater at 7 P.M. hosted by The Student Life newspaper and the Pomona College Politics Department.
At both events, Williamson advocated the need for a change in American ideology, particularly in regards to economic anxiety, climate change and national security. In her speeches, the candidate also discussed her plans for environmental mobilization, reparations for slavery and a more humanitarian approach to American’s military department.
“We’re going to remake this society based on the dictates of all that is good and beautiful and true,” Williamson said.“After that, I can die happy, you can party, and America will be healed.”
Williamson claimed her presidency will spur the change that she deems necessary to fix American democracy.
“[For president], we need a political visionary more than we need a political mechanic… I believe that what I have been through and experienced for the last 35 years is exactly what makes me qualified,” Williamson said.
The Hampton Room town-hall included a Q&A session where attendees could raise their hand to be handed a microphone. At the Rose-Hill theater, rather than answering audience questions, Williamson partook in a moderated discussion with students and then a meet-and-greet with attendees. Williamson answered questions ranging in topic from pharmaceutical corruption, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and her experience vying for the Democratic nomination.
“We need to display as much conviction behind our love today as some people display behind their hate,” Williamson said. “When we do that, I don’t care what it is. I don’t care if its a narcissistic shameless president … I don’t care if it’s the Russians. Nothing will be able to stand as long as enough people rise up.”
At the Hampton Room, Williamson address questions from students wondering how to deal with difficulty communicating with college administration.
“I think that finding one’s voice is one of the most significant tasks of anyone’s life. Particularly for women, it can be hard,” Williamson said. “If you feel that you are in an institution that does not listen to you, you’re carrying more than our own trauma. ”
Williamson attended Pomona College from 1971-1973 before dropping out and later attending classes at The University of New Mexico and the University of Texas. The candidate’s campaign has garnered attention after her statements during the first Democratic debate, with many characterizing her as a non-traditional candidate.
“There’s a reason why those things were said about me,” Williamson said. “It was not well intentioned, but it was well strategized. It was intentional to make sure I wasn’t out on that third debate stage. My ideas are very inconvenient and that’s the way the system works.”
Interest in Williamson’s campaign spiked after the first Democratic debate, during which Williamson announced a phone call to the prime minister of New Zealand would be her first action as president. Soon after, Williamson received criticism for past statements regarding informed consent and antidepressants.
“Nobody who knows my works, no one who’s read my works, no one who has heard me speak has ever heard me say anything anti-science, has ever heard me say anything anti-medicine, has ever heard me say anything dangerous,” Williamson said.
According to a recent New York Times poll, Williamson currently has a national polling average of under 1%.
“Do I hope I get back on the debate stage?” Williamson said, “Yes I do. But I also understand how the game is played and how the game has been played.” My reality is that the crowds are growing. My reality is that people are giving me enough to keep doing what I’m doing.”
