Green Party Watch

From Howie Hawkins’ website:

A Green New Deal

A teach-in on Progressive Taxes, Single Payer Healthcare and Running for Office

Sunday, February 12 from 2 to 5 pm
ArtRage Gallery, 505 Hawley Ave.
Free and open to the public!

Join the discussion as we
demystify how state taxes affect our community
learn the how we can fight for Universal healthcare for all after the Affordable Care Act (Vermont did it!)
hear about how to run a successful campaign for office! read more »

In San Rafael, CA yesterday, representatives from the Tea Party and the Green Party shared a forum to exchange views on the Nation’s economic problems. From the Marin Independent Journal:

About 50 people turned out to hear Sally Zelikovsky of San Rafael, founder of the Bay Area Patriots and coordinator of the San Francisco Tea Party, and Larry Bragman, a Fairfax councilman and active Green Party member, present their alternative versions of economic reality during a luncheon meeting of the Marin Coalition at Chalet Basque.

[...]

“Look in your homes,” Zelikovsky said. “There is not one aspect of your lives that isn’t regulated — from lightbulbs, to energy output, from the kind of car you drive, the smart meter slapped on your house, to what your children do or don’t learn in this school — this is just the tip of the big government iceberg.”

But Bragman said more, not less, regulation is needed if the nation is to avoid another banking crisis in the near future. He said it was repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act, which mandated separation of investment and commercial banking, that caused the economic crisis.

“For anyone to say that what we need to cure the illness is more of the poison that got us sick, I think that point of view is ignoring what brought us here,” Bragman said. “We need to re-regulate banking. The full faith and credit of the United States should not be insuring a casino economy on Wall Street, and that’s exactly what it’s doing now.”

Bragman said international free-trade policies such as the North American Free Trade Agreement have also contributed to the nation’s economic problems.

“Free trade has hollowed out our economy. NAFTA is and was a disaster,” Bragman said. In addition to undercutting the wages of U.S. workers, he said NAFTA has wrecked Mexico’s agricultural economy, leaving many destitute farmers little choice but to emigrate north.

Bragman said federal health care reform hasn’t gone far enough. “I think we need to embrace single-payer, universal health care,” he said.

Read the entire article here.

On The Wilder Side:

On Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 7pm, the Brookhaven Green Party gathering will feature a speaker on the Brookhaven Recyclebank program. The event will be held at Rio Douro, 800 Horseblock Rd, Farmingville, NY 11738 (631 880-7890). Come hungry! For directions to the Brookhaven Green Party Gathering, contact Marisa Pizza at 516-458-9319. All gatherings are open to the public.

The town of Brookhaven is the first in the state to adopt the recycle bank program which rewards residents for taking environmental actions including recycling. The program is described as being similar to a frequent flyer program. The residents can then turn in their points for rewards from local and national business. In addition to significant environmental benefits, increased recycling also has a positive impact on Town finances through cost savings in disposal costs and revenues from the sale of recyclables.

The Green Party is an alternative party to the Democrats and Republicans. The four pillars of the Green Party are:

• Nonviolence/Peace;
• Grassroots Democracy;
• Social and Economic Justice; and
• Ecological Wisdom.

The Green Party Party is now a ballot-qualified party, so they are listed on the new voter registration forms. On the old voter registration forms, you can enroll in the Green Party by checking the box marked “Other” on the voter registration form and writing in the word “Green” on the line next to it. Click here to find a voter registration form. You can send donations to the Green Party of Suffolk,14 Robin Drive, Huntington, NY 11743. Green Party of Suffolk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gpsuffolk

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From the Weekly Press (Philadelphia) comes this piece from Chris Robinson, a Green Party organizer in Philadelphia:

Greens Oppose Philly’s Stop-and-Frisk
Weekly Press
• Wed, Aug 10, 2011

By Chris Robinson

“My father said if you are ever stopped by the police, you say, “Yes, Sir – No Sir.” Tell the officer what’s in your wallet. Don’t, don’t make no sudden moves and don’t run. Just get through whatever the situation is,’ Nutter said. ‘Those lessons stuck with me.’” [See, Philadelphia Daily News, June 22, 2011, page 3.]

During 2005, Philadelphia’s police made 102,319 pedestrian stops. When Michael Nutter became Mayor of Philadelphia in 2008, he ordered an increase in pedestrian stops under a policy commonly called “Stop-and-Frisk.” By 2009, pedestrian stops by police had increased 148 percent to 253,333. Of that total, 72 percent of the victims were African Americans, but only 8 percent of those pedestrian stops resulted in an arrest.

I, for one, would like to know what we should call the other 92 percent of those pedestrian stops. Were those 233,066 citizens “harassed by the police?” Were they “intimidated by the police?” Or should we say, “Their rights under the U.S. Constitution were violated?”

The Green Party has a history of opposition to stop-and-frisk. Under the heading “Racial Discrimination,” the Green Party national platform says, “We condemn the practice of racial profiling by law enforcement agencies, which are guilty of stopping motorists, harassing individuals, or using unwarranted violence against suspects with no other justification than race or ethnic background.”

At a Philadelphia City Council hearing on December 14, 2010, Green Party leader Hugh Giordano, who had run for PA House of Representatives, made it clear that stop-and-frisk targets, urban, minority and young citizens. “This law is a form of Jim Crow law,” said Giordano, referring to discriminatory laws used to maintain segregation of the races. “It attacks a certain group of people, and the numbers and testimony shows it.” Giordano also criticized Philadelphia’s City Council for allowing stop-and-frisk to continue unabated.
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The full story can be read here, below is an excerpt.

Parks has 90 days to collect 1,742 valid signatures from registered voters. If the recall petition is certified, a special election would be held by the end of the year.

CenterCal Properties, which had worked on the mall project and was negotiating an agreement with the city’s Urban Renewal Commission, pulled the plug on the project last month. Nicita spurned offers to meet with CenterCal President Fred Bruning, who made it no secret that Nicita’s continued opposition was a key factor in the decision to kill the mall.

Last year, Bruning temporarily broke off negotiations with the city, citing a “deep division” among city commissioners — Nicita in particular.

Nicita voiced strong criticism of The Rivers, questioning whether it was viable to build a huge mall in a down economy and provide the $17.6 million subsidy the developer requested to offset construction costs. The mall would have been built on an old garbage dump.

When Nicita proposed a city charter amendment that would have killed the project and alienated other developers, more than 400 people showed up to oppose the plan, which was withdrawn.

Nicita suggested other uses for the land and proposed building a nearby trash-burning plant that could turn the waste into electricity.

Nicita, a Pacific Green Party member, was elected to a nonpartisan seat on the commission in 2008.

The following is an article by Philadelphia Green Chris Robinson, reprinted with his permission:

At Green Night Out on July 9, Josh Mitteldorf explained to the gathered diners that “computerized election theft has become the norm in the U.S.” Philadelphia Greens and their friends had gathered for an evening of feasting, fun and politics. Greens are interested in computerized election theft, and they are running a candidate, Richard Antipuna, for Philadelphia City Commissioner.

Perhaps you wondered why Barbara Capozzi did not demand a recount in the Democratic Primary for City Council District 1, when touch-screen polls showed that she lost the election by a mere 72 votes. The simple answer is that no one can do recounts (or any other kind of audit) on the kind of computerized voting machines used in Philadelphia. Was this election stolen? Barbara Capozzi will never know.

Mitteldorf, a senior editor at OpEdNews, discussed three historical elections which were successfully stolen by computer companies. His first example was the 2002 election of governor and senator in Georgia, which was stolen by the Republicans. Mitteldorf’s second example was the 2002 election of governor in Alabama, which was also stolen by the Republicans.

Finally, Mitteldorf discussed the 2004 presidential election in Ohio, where Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell was also George W. Bush’s campaign manager. You probably remember that this election was also stolen by the Republicans, but Mitteldorf added new details of the computer swap that was used to change the vote count. He also discussed a murder that was necessary to cover it up. Incidentally, this election was contested by the Green Party of Ohio (no word from the Democrats).

“Wholesale election theft in the U.S. is now institutionalized and systematic,” concluded Mitteldorf, “and it always favors the Republicans.”

The national Green Party Platform says, “Electronic voting machines must include a verifiable paper trail that allows every voter to verify that his or her vote was recorded and counted accurately, coupled with random audits based on the paper trail.” This is not the case in Philadelphia.

//
Green Night Out takes place monthly at Singapore Kosher ‘Vegetarian Chinese Restaurant, www.singaporevegetarian.com. Green Night Out is sponsored by the Green Party of Philadelphia, www.gpop.org. More information about Green Night Out and advance reservations may be made at 215-243-7103

The letter of endorsement, as posted on the campaign website of Cheri Honkala for Sheriff of Philadelphia:

Dear Fellow Green Party members,

Remember the excitement of the Nader/LaDuke 2000 campaign?  How about the enthusiasm generated when Matt Gonzalez ran for Mayor of San Francisco as a Green and damned near won?

I am writing to you because I think we have the opportunity to recapture that sense of momentum and optimism for our party by supporting Cheri Honkalah for Sheriff of Philadelphia.

Cheri is a long-distance runner for social justice.  I have personally known of her work as an activist for years, and was pleased to learn she was turning her activism toward electoral politics.  When I learned she was running as a Green, I was thrilled!

Cheri is a formerly homeless mother who worked her way out of poverty. She went on to form the Kensington Welfare Rights Union, and has become a national leader in the fight for economic fairness in this country.  She has been profiled in The Nation, Mother Jones named her a “Hell Raiser of the Month and Ms. Magazine awarded her “Woman of the Year” in 2001.

And it’s not just her credentials as an activist that has me so jazzed—it’s her keen sense of strategy, her commitment to movement building, and the multi-racial coalition of organized labor leaders, peace and justice activists, young people, and Greens she is bringing together.

And get this—in Philadelphia the main job of the Sheriff is to serve evictions and foreclosures.  Cheri’s campaign message?

NO EVICTIONS!

NO FORECLOSURES!

EVERYBODY STAYS IN THEIR HOMES!

Sisters and Brothers, this is genius!  Cheri’s campaign provides a perfect opportunity to fight back against the so-called “austerity programs” that the leaders of the Democratic and Republican parties are trying to shove down the throats of Americans across the country, and to show that the Green Party offers a true alternative.

Even deeper, I think Cheri’s campaign can become the “signature” national electoral campaign for progressives of all stripes in 2011.  No other candidate of her caliber is likely to be running in a local race, her principal opponent is a typical corporatist hack, and her campaign captures the zeitgeist of the moment—which is to fight back against Wall Street and Big Banks and the elected officials of both establishment parties who are doing their bidding.

And the enthusiasm is already building!  At this years “Progressive Dialogue” hosted by the Independent Progressive Politics Network (IPPN), there was universal agreement that Cheri’s campaign had the potential to unite Greens, independents, and progressive Democrats.

Who thought this? Greens, independents, and progressive Democrats, that’s who!

So I ask that you join me in supporting Cheri’s campaign.

Make a donation at www.cherihonkala.com or mail it to Friends of Cheri Honkala c/o Hillary Kane, 5031 Catharine St. Philadelphia, PA 19143

And don’t stop there! Blog about her campaign.  Friend her on Facebook. Write Letters to the Editor to The Nation, Mother Jones, The Progressive and every liberal print publication you know.

Call in to progressive talk radio to describe her strategy, and challenge elected officials in your area to follow her example.

If you are able, travel to Philadelphia and volunteer.  They can find host housing for you, and I can personally attest to the hospitality and generosity that Cheri—and her entire campaign team—will offer to you.

Regardless of how you do it, please add your voice to the growing chorus that is already supporting Cheri. Let’s become so loud and enthusiastic that others hear and join us, and too positive and boisterous to be ignored!

Consider this– even though the corporate media has ignored us, the Green Party continues to grow.

Cheri’s campaign provides Greens a tremendous opportunity to continue that success.  Cheri demonstrates to ordinary Americans that Greens are serious, we are credible, and that we can make a difference.

The time is ripe.  Cheri is the right candidate at the right time with the right strategy.

Lastly–as Greens, we need to support Cheri so that other candidates of her caliber realize that if they join and support the Green Party, the Green Party will support them.

In solidarity,
David Cobb
2004 Green Party Presidential Nominee and proud initiator of the Ohio Recount that helped to spawn a new election integrity movement

From Arkansas News:

Two Saline County elected officials, a Democrat and a member of the Green Party, announced their switch to the Republican Party today.

Sheriff Bruce Pennington, a Democrat serving his second term, and first-term County Collector Joy Ballard, who ran on the Green Party ticket in 2010, announced their decision jointly in what the state Republican chief said could be a sign of things to come for the 2012 elections…

Ballard, elected in 2010, said she had worked to get Republicans elected and had “worked with them and for them,” including 10 years as administrative assistant to Saline County Judge Lanny Fite, a Republican.

She said when the former office holder, Chris Villines, resigned to take another job it was too late to file as a Democrat or Republican, but that the Green Party candidate selection process was still open to her.

Derek Grigsby, Co-Chair, Green Party of Michigan,
Frank Hammer, retired UAW activist, Autoworkers Caravan
Michelle Martinez, Sierra Club organizer working on Green Jobs

Saturday ● May 14 ● 6 – 8 pm
5:30 pm Social Hour

International Institute ● 111 E. Kirby, Detroit

For more information — Call Detroit Greens at 313-580-4905 of visit this link at the Detroit Greens website.

The Green Party of Philadelphia has three events in the next two weeks.  First, they will be demonstrating against fracking on Earth Day.  Next, they will be holding a monthly meeting.  Finally, on May Day they will be having a community celebration.  More details below.

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WASHINGTON, DC — DC Statehood Green Party activists will challenge Mayor Vincent Gray on the District’s budget priorities at a press conference immediately preceding the Mayor’s ‘State of the District’ address on Monday, March 28.

The press conference will take place outside of Eastern High School, 1700 East Capitol Street NE, beginning at 6 pm. The Mayor’s speech begins inside the school at 6:45 pm.

“We will call on Mayor Gray not to balance the budget on the backs of DC’s working people and unemployed. We can make ‘One City’ a reality, if the Mayor and Council enact a ‘Just DC Budget and Tax’ plan,” said Alan Page, DC Statehood Green candidate for At-Large City Council in the April 26 special election (http://alanpagedc.blogspot.com).

Statehood Greens will offer a progressive alternative to DC’s present regressive income tax. The progressive plan would generate $250 million in additional revenue that should go into essential social services cut in recent years. This and other recommendations to balance the budget and restore essential funding in our budget are summarized below.
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Miami-Dade Green Party via On The Wilder Side:

The Miami-Dade Green Party adds its voice to the growing coalition of groups and individuals standing in opposition to anti-immigrant bills that have been recently introduced in the Florida legislature. These bills–modeled after Arizona’s racist SB 1070 law—allow for racial profiling and if passed, will result in the separation of families while threatening to turn Florida into a pariah state.

We enthusiastically endorse the March 17, 2011 Rally in Tallahassee organized by the “We Are Florida!” coalition of community groups to oppose these bills including SB 2040 which is currently before the Florida Senate coming out of the Judiciary Committee. According to the coalition, “This bill forces local police to question the immigration status of any person arrested, even for minor offenses, and turn them over to U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) without ever being convicted of any crime.”

“By deputizing police officers to carry out the functions of ICE, this measure would only serve to undermine public safety by dividing our diverse community and creating an atmosphere of fear. This measure will lead to racial and ethnic profiling on a scale that our state, whose economy depends upon tourism, cannot afford. Racial profiling undermines public safety, instills fear in our communities, scares away tourists, and is simply unjust,” said Muhammed Malik, Co-Chair of the Miami-Dade Green Party.

In fact, it is seldom noted by the corporate media in framing this debate that undocumented immigrants actually add more to the economy through tax revenue and their productive labor. The vast majority come to the U.S. to improve their lives and those of their children after finding their home country economies devastated by anti-worker agreements like NAFTA and other “free trade” pacts which promote a race to the bottom that hurts working people in all countries.

“These racist bills only serve to divide working people when we need unity more than ever given the wave of anti-worker attacks taking place in Wisconsin, Florida and all over the country,” said Paul Lefrak, Co-Chair of the Miami-Dade Green Party. “But just like the working class in Wisconsin and Ohio are beginning to fight back, we need to bring that fight to the Sunshine State and extend it to defend immigrant workers as well.”

Governor Scott and the Florida legislature devise means to slash much-needed social services and attempt to divide and conquer by blaming immigrant workers, while billionaire bankers receive bailouts and tax breaks. The Miami-Dade Green Party stands by the old motto that “an attack on one is an attack on all!” We cannot and will not let racial profiling and scape-goating tactics prevail.

H/T to Lou Novak
Detroit Greens are teaming up with Greens in the tri-county area for Metro Detroit Greens Meetings. These meetings give us an opportunity to build on the networking, connections and solidarity we developed in the 2010 elections.

WHAT: Detroit Metro Greens Meeting
WHO: Open to all Greens and friends – replaces Detroit Greens monthly meetings for January – March.
WHEN: Third Thursday of each month – January 20, February 17 & March 17, 6–8pm
WHERE: Phoenix Café. 24918 John R. Hazel Park, Mi 48030. 248-667-8817

Agendas will include discussions of the developing political situation and plans for actions. More detailed agendas will be sent out to the same lists before the meetings.

Please invite anyone you think should be there.

From the York Daily Record:

York, PA - Demonstrators supporting Wisconsin unions waved and shook their signs at drivers who beeped their horns as they passed U.S. Rep. Todd Platts’ office in Springettsbury Township at rush hour Friday.Signs reading “Stand with Wisconsin workers” and “Support a teacher” were held by some in the group who decided to participate in the rally organized by Stephen Baker of the Green Party of York County.

“We’re here to protest Republicans trying to take away years of work on labor rights,” Baker, a Springettsbury resident, said.

A bill eliminating most collective-bargaining rights for Wisconsin’s public-employee unions was passed Thursday. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed it into law Friday.

Friday’s protest in York County was one of several planned by the Green Party. One was held last week in Harrisburg, Baker said, where about 1,000 demonstrators showed support for Wisconsin unions seeking negotiation rights.

via Ross Levin at IPR:

The full story from the South Carolina Green Party:

Eugene Platt is doing great work in local government alerting people to the serious problems with SC’s electronic voting machines.

Voting machines targeted: James Island PSD official pushes for replacement

BY EDWARD FENNELL

JAMES ISLAND — A day after engineering a “historic” vote by his fellow James Island Public Service District commissioners, Eugene Platt set his sights on a larger goal.

Platt on Tuesday urged James Island Town Council to adopt a resolution calling for South Carolina to replace its electronic touch-screen voting machines. The iVotronic machines, Platt contends, have many problems and voters have little confidence in vote counts they produce. He told council the JIPSD was the first elected body in the state to urge replacement of the machines, and the town could become the first municipality to do so.

“I hope you will do something similar and start and statewide trend and get the attention of the state legislature,” Platt said.

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