AS COLORADO COLLEGE STUDENTS, ALUMNI, FACULTY, STAFF, AND FAMILIES, WE CALL FOR LIZ CHENEY’S DISINVITATION FROM 2023 COMMENCEMENT!

On Wednesday, March 15, the Colorado College administration announced Liz Cheney as the 2023 Commencement speaker. In a community-wide email, President Richardson wrote:

“At Colorado College, we encourage courageous conversations and bold actions. We know that these conversations are not easy. However, they are essential for us to bridge divisions and make progress in our polarized, quick-to-judge, reactionary world. When we listen, debate in a respectful manner, and try to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, we still may not agree – but we will learn, and gain better understanding of the issues of our time.

I’m delighted to announce that our 2023 Commencement speaker is former U.S. Representative Liz Cheney, Colorado College Class of 1988. Cheney, who graduated with a political science degree from CC and a law degree from the University of Chicago, served as a Republican representative of Wyoming from 2017 to the beginning of this year. She recently joined the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics as a professor of practice.

Representative Cheney is someone who has pursued courageous conversations and taken bold actions. In recognition of her “consistent and courageous voice in defense of democracy,” she was awarded the Profile in Courage Award by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in 2022.

After the election, she called on former President Trump to respect the rulings of the courts and to support the peaceful transfer of power. After the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, she stood against violence and took on the role of House Jan. 6 committee vice chair.”

The CC President’s email applauds Liz Cheney for condemning former President Trump. The email failed to mention that Liz Cheney voted with Trump 92.9% of the time. It is not courageous nor bold to do one thing and say another. In fact, it is the definition of performative activism and Colorado College should have zero tolerance for it. Let’s review some of Liz Cheney’s voting record:

      Mental Health Justice Act of 2022: NAY

      Assault Weapons Ban of 2022: NAY

      LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act: NAY

      Federal Reserve Racial and Economic Equity Act: NAY

      Protecting Our Kids Act: NAY

      Medical Marijuana Research Act: NAY

      Combating International Islamophobia Act: NAY

      John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021: NAY

Furthermore, she has opposed providing a path for citizenship for undocumented immigrants, ran campaigns on her opposition to same-sex marriage, opposed access to abortion, and opposed legislation to combat global warming. Cheney’s actions and beliefs are antithetical to the picture painted of Cheney in President Richardson's email and to the mission of this school. She represents everything Colorado College claims to stand against. 

Here are some additional reasons we wholeheartedly condemn this decision:

• Graduation is not the time nor place for a figure like Liz Cheney to speak to us; it is about uniting the community and celebrating our accomplishments.
• A graduation speech is not a conversation. Her speech is not opening dialogue; it is a one-sided event where we have no chance to ask questions. 
• Liz Cheney does not represent “diversity of thought.” Her views have been mainstream in our country for the past 200+ years.

If the CC administration is applauding Liz Cheney’s decision to “change her mind,” the CC administration must also be willing to change their mind. 

Join us in demanding Liz Cheney's disinvitation as CC's 2023 Commencement Speaker!!