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Vol. 3, No. 7 SUPPORT
GREENSWEEK! Thank you, Green News | Upcoming Events | Green Action | Resources | Good Reads GREEN NEWS NEW JERSEY GREENS INSPIRED BY EARL GREY Two weeks
after the loss of its former coordinator and State Chair Earl Grey, the
Monmouth County Green Party -- inspired by Grey -- has submitted petitions
for a full slate of candidates in the upcoming November State Assembly and
Freeholder races. The Green Party garnered 15,000 votes for its local
State Senate, Assembly and County Freeholder candidates in 2003. In the
November 8 election, the party will field Tom Auletta and Bessie Halsey of
Atlantic Highlands for state assembly in the 11th (coastal) legislative
district that runs from Atlantic Highlands to Sea Girt. Judith Stanton of
Fair Haven and Ann Napolitano of Freehold will run for State Assembly in
the 12th legislative district, which runs roughly from Fair Haven and Red
Bank west through Colts Neck and Marlboro to East Windsor, Greg Orr and
Mike Hall of Middletown will run for Assembly in the 13th legislative
district, which spans the Bayshore from Middletown to Old Bridge, and Mark
Hilton of Middletown are the party's candidates for Monmouth County
Freeholder. Gubernatorial candidate Matt Thieke of Maple Shade will top
the Green ticket. In the County Freeholder race, local environmental and
political activist Brian Unger will run with Mark Hilton for two seats. CAMPUS GREENS The Campus Greens will hold regional
conferences this summer, instead of a national convention, in late July or
early August and is looking for schools to host them. The regions are
Midwest, Northeast, South, Southwest, West, and Northwest. If your chapter
would like to host a regional conference, please email Dave Wilcox at <dave@campusgreens.org>
for an application form. GREEN PARTY VISION SURVEY Please fill out the online
National Shared Vision Survey of Green Party members. The information you
provide will be used to help the Green Party of the United States
Strategic Planning Working Group learn what goals and vision the party
might unite around, and to develop a strategic plan for the party's
growth. Allow about 30 minutes to complete the survey. Thank You! COURT UPHOLDS RIGGED TWO-PARTY DEBATES According to a
federal appeals court ruling reversing an earlier decision, the Commission
on Presidential Debates had the right to exclude Green candidate Ralph
Nader and other third-party candidates from the debates in 2000. The
commission (which is owned and operated by and for the Democratic and
Republican parties) "acted not out of any preference for major-party
candidates, but rather because it feared one or more third-party
candidates would disrupt the debate," the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the D.C. Circuit said in overturning 3-0 a lower court judge's decision in
the candidates' favor. A federal judge had ruled for the candidates,
saying their exclusion from the debates was "unrelated to a
subjective or objective concern of disruption, and was therefore
partisan." CALIFORNIA (1) The Green Party of California has
joined with a prominent Mexican-American advocacy group to note the
significance of legislation recognizing California's role in the
"Mexican Repatriation Program" that illegally and forcibly sent
400,000 American citizens of Mexican descent to Mexico from 1929 to 1944.
SB 670 and SB 645, authored by Sen. Joseph Dunn (D-Orange County) were
approved by overwhelming majorities in the Senate and sent to the Assembly
this past week. (2) The Green Party of California Monday said amulti-million
special election in November called by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on June
13 would hurt workers in the state, while benefiting already wealthy
business special interests. "As Greens we believe in fair elections,
and in this case, the governor's special interest friends have bought this
election -- and are forcing the rest of us to pay for it," said Pat
Driscoll, a member of the Green Party of Sacramento county council and
former congressional candidate. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DC Statehood Green Party
activists urged DC City Council to establish a Department of Environmental
Protection. Party activists Jenefer Ellingston and David Bosserman
testified in favor of the proposed department (Council Bill B16-0016)
during a June 8 hearing conducted by the Council's Committee on Public
Works and Environment. Jared Ball and Rick Tingling-Clemmons will speak at
the Juneteenth Celebration in DC on June 19; see item under Upcoming
Events below. FLORIDA Florida Greens won a free speech in Federal
Court, Judge K. Michael Moore issued an lrder against Ft. Lauderdale city
ordinances that limit protest activities in public areas. Judge Moore
temporarily enjoined the city’s ability to enforce the newly enacted
ordinance limiting where demonstrators can stand and what objects they can
have, such as sticks and signs, during the OAS General Assembly meeting.
The Broward County Green Party, along with the Green Party of Florida, are
plaintiffs in the lawsuit to overturn the unconstitutional ordinances. FLORIDA The Pinellas County Election Reform Coalition,
which includes Greens in its leadership, recently met with the editorial
board of the St. Petersburg Times, one of the ten leading newspapers in
the county. FLORIDA The CBS local affiliate in Tampa interviewed
Mark Kamleiter, co-chair of the Green Party of Pinellas County, about
evidence that voting machines can be hacked after the Supervisor of
Elections in Leon County invited some computer hackers to attempt to hack
into their voting system in Leon, which the hackers accomplished with
relative ease. Kamleiter was interviewed because as a co-chair of the
local Green Party he is participating on the Pinellas Election Reform
Commission, along with leaders of the local Libertarian Party, Democratic
Party and numerous citizen organizations, including among others the
League of Women Voters and the NAACP. Kamleiter challenged the
Hillsborough Elections Supervisor's assertions that the machines were
completely secure because they are not on the Internet. MARYLAND Registered Greens from across the state
gathered in Baltimore on June 4 to elect new party officers. Maryland
Greens reelected Michael Cornell (Columbia), who will serve a second term
as Co-Chair. Also winning reelection for Treasurer was Beth Hufnagel (Elkridge),.who
ran for Maryland Comptroller in 2002. Newly elected officers are Eileen
Scott (Silver Spring) as the second Co-Chair position, Nathan Bahn (Silver
Spring) as Recording Secretary, and Vo Cheng (Rosedale) as Membership
Coordinator. Winning the delegate seats to the GNC were Steve Kramer
(Columbia) and Virginia Rodino (Baltimore, Md.). Kramer is serving his
second term as delegate to the GNC and is also one of seven Co-Chairs on
the national Green Party’s Steering Committee. Other candidates seeking
election to Maryland’s delegation to the GNC were Brad Carlton
(Baltimore, Md.) and Brandy Baker (Baltimore, Md.). Saturday’s elections
met the Maryland Green Party’s by-laws requirement of gender and
minority balance for state party Co-Chairs. MARYLAND Kevin Zeese, who served as press secretary to
Ralph Nader's 2004 presidential campaign, plans to file as a candidate for
the US Senate in Maryland. Zeese, who is registered Green, intends to run
a 'Unity Campaign' with support from the Populist and Libertarian parties. MASSACHUSETTS At their state convention on June 4 and
5, Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party members elected the following to
officers in the party: MICHIGAN The Green Party of Michigan welcomed the
recent certification by the State Board of Canvassers of the petition to
restore Michigan's 99-year ban on hunting the mourning dove, a bird
recognized by the state legislature as the Michigan Bird of Peace. The law
that ended the ban is now suspended, and there will be no more shooting of
doves in the state until after the people have a chance to vote on the
measure in November 2006. The Committee to Restore the Dove Shooting Ban
filed over 275,000 petition signatures in March, almost twice as many as
were needed to qualify the referendum for the ballot. The Green Party is
the only political party in the state to support the ban. MINNESOTA Activists from the Green Party of Minnesota
played a critical role in the passage of a bill expanding the definition
of 'major party', which was signed into law on June 3 by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Major party status gives a party's candidates instant ballot access and
qualifies them for public financing, but before the new law was signed, a
political party could achieve such recognition only by winning at
least 5% of the vote, with at least one vote from each county, in any race
in which all Minnesota voters cast ballots: President, US Senator,
Governor or state constitutional offices. MINNESOTA The media in Minneapolis has begun to pay
attention to Farheen Hakeem, the Green candidate for Mayor. The race
includes three candidates-- two Democrats (including the incumbent) and
Hakeem. Since the race is technically nonpartisan, Farheen must come in at
least second in the primary to compete in the general election. NEW YORK Green Party leaders appealed to all Americans
and organizations who value human rights to speak out in support of Mayor
Jason West of New Paltz, who is Green. West will face prosecution for
violating domestic relations law for officiating at the weddings of 24
same-sex couples in 2004, according to a ruling on May 27 from New York's
highest court. If convicted, West could serve a maximum of 24 years in
prison and thousand of dollars in fines for multiple misdemeanor counts.
West, whose case will be heard in a New Paltz town court, performed the
ceremonies to champion the rights of gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans.
On June 12, West led the first annual New Paltz LGBTQ Pride March &
Festival. TEXAS The Texas Green Party has endorsed the Millions
More March on Washington, to be held in October in observance of the 10th
anniversary of the Million Man March. 2004 Green presidential candidate
David Cobb has also endorsed the march. Texas Greens held their statewide
convention at the Dallas Business Eco Park on June 11 and 12. WISCONSIN The Wisconsin Libertarian and Green Parties
on June 7 called the recent Supreme Court ruling on medical marijuana a
victory for pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies, but a loss
to the well-being of US citizens, impinging upon their rights to pursue
life and liberty. Jill Bussiere, Co-Chair of the Wisconsin Green Party
said, "It doesn't make any sense to prohibit an available and
affordable remedy such as marijuana to qualified patients. This court
ruling... is about the inappropriate use of the power of the federal
government. The ruling, which was pushed forward by the Bush
administration, not only lacks compassion for the sick but is also a clear
encroachment upon states’ rights." NATIONAL (May through October) The Green Party Task
Force on Haiti continues to urge Greens and Green Parties to join its
campaign to support Haitian democracy and justice, titled "Season of
Solidarity with Haiti." The Task Force invites Green Party members
and friends to plan solidarity actions and events from May through
October, 2005 (May is Haitian Heritage Month), and encourages state Green
Parties to endorse the season of Solidarity with Haiti. The Task Force on
Haiti is organized by members of the Green Party's Peace Action Committee,
Black Caucus, and International Committee and is currently seeking
members. Individual Greens are encouraged to sign on to the endorsement
list. NATIONAL The Green Party's Fundraising Committee
announced that it has offered the Fundraising Assistant position to Morgen
D'Arc and she has accepted the offer. D'Arc has an extensive background in
phone fundraising. The Committee was said it pleased to have had several
quality applicants from among the ranks of talented dedicated greens. The
primary task of the new position is to develop the party's sustainer
program. NATIONAL In the wake of the revelations of the Downing
Street Memo, Green leaders reiterated the party's July 2003 call for
impeachment of Bush, and called on all Americans outraged by the Bush
Administration's list of deceptions, violations of the US Constitution,
the disastrous Iraq occupation, and policies that have disgraced the US to
demand that Congress begin the impeachment process. ATTENTION STUDENTS Intern with the Fastest-Growing Party in the US! Are you a student with a passion for politics and social justice? Do you want an internship in Washington, DC, where you'll do more than walk a Senator's dog or take orders for lattes? The Green Party of the United States is accepting applications for college and high school interns for the summer and fall. The Green Party is looking for interns to work in our national headquarters in Washington, DC. Interns will assist with daily office operations, provide administrative support for campaigns, research, and help with convention planning and fundraising events. Qualified applicants should be computer savvy. Activist experience and/or Green Party membership preferred. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Start date is flexible. We are currently looking for candidates for the summer and fall of 2005. Hours are flexible, although three-quarters to full time is preferred. These are paid internships, although many colleges and universities offer college credit for internships. To apply, please e-mail your resume and cover letter to Emily Citkowski, Green Party Operations Director, at <emily@gp.org>. ATTENTION CANDIDATES & CAMPAIGNERS Learn the Art of Running for Office Run for Office as a Green! 221 Green officeholders in 27 states are hard at work, creating public policy on important issues including civil rights, a healthy environment, a living wage, alternative voting systems, and peace. The Coordinated Campaign Committee has helped many individual Green campaigns: Bob Jacobson, Vice-Chair of the Hawai'i County Council was re-elected last year, and says he knows that the early contributions from the nationalparty contributed to his victory. To support the growth of the Green Party in 2005, 2006, and beyond, the Coordinated Campaign Committee is pursuing programs to increase the number ofGreen officeholders nationwide. Strategies include targeting specific campaigns (based on written applications) and providing those campaigns with matching funds or other support; maintaining a campaign manual (available for download from <http://www.gp.org/committees/campaign/manual.html>); helping states recruit candidates; assist with regional campaign training schools; and much more. Special resources will be available for congressional campaigns and strong local campaigns. We especially encourage people who are underrepresented in elective office to consider running. We are also looking for people to work with these candidates as campaign coordinators, managers, and other campaign volunteers. If you're interested in learning the art of running for office, call the CCC's Campaign Hotline phone number: 202-319-7194, or visit the Coordinated Campaign Committee's websites for a wealth of campaign info <http://www.gp.org/committees/campaign>. GREEN COMMUNITY PROJECTS Under its Local Governance Program Area, the Green Institute is setting up a Green Community Projects funding plan to assist small-scale local Green projects that are innovative and further Green values and issues. Grants to individuals will be no more than $1000, and will result from evaluation of simple proposals. No detailed or complex proposal process is required. No activities that endorse or support candidates or political parties can be funded, and the Green Institute will expend funds in compliance with all laws. The projects should be issue oriented. Send proposals to <dean@greeninstitute.net> or the Green Institute, 3509 Connecticut Ave. NW #730, Washington, DC 20008. Proposals should describe the project, preferably in no more than one page, indicate how much money is being requested, and must indicate specifically who will receive a check and what will be bought or paid for. Funds can be paid both for the expense of purchasing materials for the project as well as for staff time. Receipts (or copies) for any items purchased must be sent to the Green Institute. It is preferable, though not required, that the Green Institute pay vendors directly for items purchased. Contact the Institute before submitting a proposal to ask about how a project fits into non-profit, non-partisan law. All projects will use a contract to guarantee compliance with federal law. Proposals will be evaluated on the following specific criteria: 1) Locally based; 2) Innovative policy or organizing; 3) Alternative institution building; 4) Diversity in all its measures. http://www.greeninstitute.net READ ABOUT and get involved in your state Green Party http://www.gp.org/states.html
JUNE 18-21: Biodemocracy Teach-in, Festival and
Actions, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The world's largest convention of
biotech and pharmaceutical executives is coming to Philly this June. Join
us to challenge their closed-door corporate agenda of genetically
engineered agriculture, healthcare for profit, and bioweapons
proliferation. Give voice to a different vision of fair trade, local food
sovereignty, healthcare for all, community power, biodiversity and honest
science. JUNE 19 Juneteenth celebration at the African American
Civil War Memorial, 11th and U Streets, NW in Washington DC. An afternoon
of music, speakers, remembrance and fellowship hosted by Jared Ball (of
Blackademics on WPFW FM) and featuring Rick Tingling-Clemmons and other
speakers. Both Ball and Tingling-Clemmons are members of the DC Statehood
Green Party steering committee; the party is one of several groups
organizing the event. JUNE 24-26: Green Policy Conference 2005 for Green
Officeholders and Staff. Hosted by Green and progressive officeholders of
Madison and Dane County, Wisconsin. Green officeholders and staff will
hold activities, share and learn from successes and failures, and discuss
possible coordination of efforts across the country for even greater
impact. No registration cost for attendees, thanks to generous supporters. JULY 21-24 2005 Annual Green Party National Committee
Meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma. SEPTEMBER 24-26 United For Peace and Justice: End the
war on Iraq; Bring the troops home now; Leave no bases behind; End the
corporate occupation of Iraq; Stop bankrupting our communities; No
military recruitment in our schools. Various events: CALL CONGRESS ==> Ask Congress to establish an independent
commission and to call for a special counsel to investigate widely
reported abuses at Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, and other detention centers.
Only enlisted soldiers and a few officers have been prosecuted, while
those who designed and authorized a government policy of torture, inhuman
or degrading treatment have not been held to account. ==> Urge the Senate to reject John Bolton's
nomination. Bolton is clearly not appropriate for the post of permanent US
Representative to the United Nations. In recent years he has sharply
attacked the Kyoto convention on climate change, campaigned for US
withdrawal from the US-Russian treaty limiting missile defenses, opposed
US ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, and exhibited
animosity toward the United Nations. The US desperately needs to restore
its credibility within the UN, but Bolton's record makes him a poor choice
for such a task. ==> Tell Congress to defeat the Safe Access to Drug Treatment and Child Protection Act of 2005. Go to <http://thomas.loc.gov/>, click 'bill number', enter HR 1528, hit enter. The bill targets anyone who witnesses or hears of someone doing drugs, having drugs, etc. around kids, threatening them (including parents) with a 10-year jail sentence if they don't report incidents to police within 24 hours. ==> Tell Reps to pass the Agjobs Bill. Most
agricultural work in the US is performed by migrant workers, many of them
undocumented. Most migrant workers receive no medical coverage, and are
often afraid to seek it because of their undocumented status. Congress is
now considering the bipartisan AgJobs Bill (S 359, HR 884), which will
provide temporary legal status to migrant farm workers and entitle them to
more humane working conditions. ==> Send a letter to National Aeronautics and Space
Agency (NASA) and urge it to abandon the Prometheus Project. The
Prometheus Project plans to develop nuclear powered systems for rockets in
space. Both NASA and the Department of Energy have a history of nuclear
contamination accidents. With staggering long-term budget deficits and
cuts in essential social programs now projected, now is not the time to
undertake a questionable, very costly nuclear project. ==> Urge Congress to pass the National Aquatic
Invasive Species Act. Invasive aquatic species, such as zebra mussels,
northern snakehead fish, and the weed hydrilla, are increasingly entering
US waters, establishing themselves, and causing great economic harm and
damage to indigenous species of marine life. The bipartisan National
Aquatic Invasive Species Act has been introduced in Congress to help stem
this destructive invasion. It reauthorizes the National Invasive Species
Act of 1996, which expired in 2002, extends it to all US waters, and
strengthens it in several respects. From the Green Institute: DVD available of "From
Revolution to the Ballot Box" AfterDowningStreet.org Project Thin Ice 2005 "Progressive City Leaders" by John
Nichols, The Nation, June 20, 2005. Impeach Bush & Cheney: GREENSWEEK is edited and issued by the Media Committee (co-chairs: Nancy Allen, Scott McLarty; administrator: Starlene Rankin) of the Green Party of the United States. Please forward Greensweek widely to friends, Green Parties, organizations, lists: JOIN the Greensweek mailing list by signing up at <http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/greensweek>. You can also read Greensweek at <http://www.gp.org/greensweek>. CONTRIBUTE! Every dollar you donate to the Green Party counts! Please make a contribution today: http://www.gp.org/donate.html BE AN E-MAIL BUDDY: Not everyone is on line, but you can keep help offline friends, family, and neighbors stay in touch by printing out Greensweek and other important national, state, and local Green messages for them. IF YOU HAVE AN announcement or some Green news that might be of national interest, an action alert, or an article recommendation for Greensweek, send it to <greensweek@gpus.org>. Please make it brief: 3 or 4 sentences at most, a web page, contact information. The Green Party of the United States http://gpus.org
Visit the web page of your state and local Green Party: click on the map at http://www.gp.org/states.html Green elections and candidates http://www.greens.org/elections/
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