GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES

http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org

Green Party Speakers Bureau: Green leaders available to speak on environmental issues http://www.gp.org/speakers

“The First 100 Days: What Would a Green Administration Look Like?” (video and text) http://www.gp.org/first100

WASHINGTON, DC — On Earth Day 2009, the Green Party is promoting the theme of ‘Green Generation,’ with an emphasis on the party’s current activities and its role in the past generation and the next generation. Earth Day falls on Wednesday, April 22.

A major focus of Green Generation is water, especially the growing threat to water supplies because of global warming, pollution, and privatization. In March, the National Committee of the Green Party of the United States passed a proposal (http://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=380) that makes water a priority for the party at national, state, and local levels.

The proposal lists “guidelines to Green Party candidates and organizers to increase the visibility of water issues in Green campaigns and increase our ecological focus in electoral and political activities” and charges the Green Party’s EcoAction Committee (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/index.php) with leadership on water issues. The many recommendations include:

“development of local, renewable energy sources that minimize consumptive water use, destruction of watersheds and water pollution” measures to “prevent the usurpation of public rights through privatization of the water resource by multi-national corporations”

“enforcement of indigenous treaties, paramount water rights for indigenous nations and the Treaty of Guadelupe-Hidalgo regarding land and water rights”

“legislation that promotes urban conservation, efficient agricultural use and the integration of land use with water supply”

“legislation in Congress to fund public water planning and investments in upgrading and improving water infrastructure, levees and hazardous waste dumps”

The proposal’s background section declares, “Water is the source of life. El agua es vida. The Green Party seeks to safeguard the well-being of future generations and restore ecological systems. Clean and available water is a critical priority which government can and must secure for all people. The threats to our waters are many, from depleted aquifers, to the pollution of surface waters, to the degradation of oceanic waters that have been treated as international waste dumps. There is no time, and no water, to waste.”

The EcoAction Committee has published a brochure on water (http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/documents/ecoAction%20Brochure_2.pdf). Contact for the proposal is Martin Zehr (415-337-5773, m_zehr@hotmail.com).

Green Party news and events related to Earth Day, Green Generation, and water:

For Earth Day 2009, Los Angeles Greens will host a panel of speakers discussing water issues in California. “Water Justice and Preparing for Peak Water” will take place Wednesday, April 15, 7pm at the Peace Center, 8124 West Third Street in Los Angeles. The two guest speakers are Rev. Hannah Petrie, associate minister at Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena, who serves on a state-wide Unitarian Universalist water issues team; and Conner Everts of the Southern California Watershed Alliance and Desal Response Group (http://www.desalresponsegroup.org). More information: http://losangelesgreens.org

San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi (Green) has been appointed to the California Coastal Commission. Mr. Mirkarimi was first elected in 2004.

Gordon Clark, the 2008 candidate for Congress in Maryland (8th District) has started a group called Montgomery Victory Gardens, which will promote backyard and community gardens in Montgomery County. He is lining up support for the effort from groups like the Organic Consumers Association and the Grow It, Eat It program.

On April 18, Jack Lindblad, Green candidate for the California Assembly (39th District) in the 2010 election (http://LindbladForAssembly.blogspot.com) will participate on a climate change panel at the University of Southern California (USC), on which he will discuss water issues.

The Illinois Green Party (http://www.ilgp.org) has issued a public statement condemning legislative attempts to repeal the state’s moratorium against new nuclear production (http://www.gp.org/press/pr-state.php?ID=197). State House Bill 875 and State Senate Bill 2162 would delete the provision in state law prohibiting the construction of new nuclear facilities until the nuclear waste storage issue is resolved.

The Green Party of Pennsylvania (http://www.gpofpa.org) has called for the resignation of acting Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger (http://www.gpofpa.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=216&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0). Mr. Hanger recently claimed that the economic benefits of drilling for gas in the Marcellus Shale were worth the “inevitable” environmental damage, including poisoning of some residents’ water sources.

The Green Party of the United States has endorsed International Seeds Day (http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=201 / http://www.INEAS.org/20090426_PR.pdf) on April 26, which will mark the fifth anniversary of the passage and signing of Order 81 by Paul Bremer, administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. Order 81 makes Iraqi farmers dependent on powerful US agribusiness for their seeds.

Green Party leader Nancy Allen, farmer and member of the Maine Green Independent Party, voiced concerns in a national Green Party press release about the “Food Safety Modernization Act” (HR 875 and S 425) and, while supporting the goal of food safety and farm inspections, urged amendments in the bill to protect small and family farms, farmers’ markets, and organic farming (http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=199).

Other Earth Day events and news can be read at the Green Party’s national web site (http://www.gp.org) and on state Green Party sites (index: http://www.gp.org/states.shtml).

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193

Tally of Green election victories http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html
Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php
Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers
Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections

“Think about what you can do on Earth Day”
By Wes Rolley, co-chair of the Green Party’s EcoAction Committee, Morgan Hill Times (California), April 10, 2009
http://www.morganhilltimes.com/opinion/255193-think-about-what-you-can-do-on-earth-day

Water Planning: Middle Rio Grande Water Assembly http://www.waterassembly.org

Green Pages, Vol. 13, No. 1
The official publication of record of the Green Party of the United States
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog

~ END ~

Posted on Independent Political Report

Green running for select board in Massachusetts

April 10th, 2009

Lee Scott Laugenour, an active member of the Green-Rainbow Party, will be on the ballot on May 11 in the Lenox, Massachusetts race for town select board.  The Green-Rainbow Party is the Massachusetts affiliate of the national Green Party.  Lenox is a town in Berkshire County with a population of over 5,000.

The Berkshire Eagle offers a good view of the race, which has three people running for two spots:

Read more

The Green Party endorses International Seeds Day on April 26, calls for the repeal of Order 81 making Iraqi farmers dependent on US firms

WASHINGTON, DC — The Green Party of the United States has endorsed International Seeds Day (ISD, http://www.INEAS.org/20090426_PR.pdf) on April 26, which will mark the fifth anniversary of the passage and signing of Order 81 by Paul Bremer, administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq.

Order 81 (http://www.trade.gov/static/iraq_memo81.pdf) prohibits Iraqi farmers from reusing seeds harvested from new varieties introduced in Iraq and registered under the law. According to the law, farmers are banned from saving such seeds and required to pay royalties to the holder of the patent on the seed — an American corporation. The Iraqi constitution has historically prohibited ownership of biological resources.

“Order 81 has made farmers in Iraq — who have planted since 7000 BCE — dependent on companies like Monsanto. We call on President Obama and Congress to repeal Order 81 immediately,” said Sanda Everette, permaculture designer and a co-chair of the Green Party of the United States.

“Monsanto has a record of selling pest-resistant seeds that have been genetically engineered for sterility to farmers around the world, rendering the farmers permanently dependent. Order 81 has turned Iraq into a feeding trough for favored US corporations, just as the Iraqi hydrocarbon law gives US and British oil companies control over most Iraqi oil. The US invasion and occupation of Iraq have proven to be an exercise in death and destruction for the sake of corporate pillage,” said Ms. Everette.

Read more

Greens urge amendment to food safety bills, citing need to protect family farms and organic farming
Monday, April 6, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC — Green Party leaders voiced concerns about the “Food Safety Modernization Act” (HR 875 and S 425) and, while supporting the goal of food safety and farm inspections, urged amendments in the bill to protect small and family farms, farmers’ markets, and organic farming.

“America needs national food safety guarantees in the age of genetic modification, misleading labeling, food-borne illnesses and contaminants, especially pesticides. But the ‘one size fits all’ approach of the bills endangers family farms and local, organic agriculture. Without amendments, the result of HR 875 and S 425 may be the demise of small farms and organic agriculture, increased profits and the expansion of giant agri-businesses,” said Nancy Allen, farmer and member of the Maine Green Independent Party.

Read More

As reported by the Green Party’s Political Director, Brent McMillan to Green Party Watch:

Bruce Samuels won his race for Oak Park (IL) Village Library Board. He finished first of five candidates for four seats with 3,747 votes or 21.51%. This is a four year term.

Bradley Kairis finished eleventh of eleven candidates for four seats for Elgin Township Trustee, Kane County, IL with 588 votes or 1.91%.

Dan Kairis finished third of three candidates for one seat for Elgin Township Supervisor, Kane County, IL with 631 votes or 8.19%.

Julie Schmitt finished ninth of eleven candidates for four seats for Elgin Township Trustee, Kane County, IL with 917 votes or 2.97%.

Dan Todd finished tenth of eleven candidates for four seats for Elgin Township Trustee, Kane County, IL with 716 votes or 2.32%.

Joshua Rodgers finished second of two candidates for Mayor of Robinson, Crawford County, IL with 221 votes or 17.82%.

Paul Jasinevicius finished second of two candidates for one seat for Rich Township Highway Commissioner, Cook County, IL with 2,015 votes or 23.76%.

Paul Jasinevicius finished seventh of nine candidates for four seats on the Rich 227 High School Board, Cook County, IL.

Mike Drennan finished third of three candidates for Evanston City Council Ward 9, Cook County, IL with 154 votes or 12.82%.

Valeria “Val” Densmore finished second of two candidates for one seat for Rich Township Clerk, Cook County, IL with 2,621 votes or 31.47%

Jesus Correa VII finished fourth of four candidates with 394 votes or 1.77% for Mayor of Rockford, IL. (Winnebago County)

Paula Bradshaw finished fifth of five candidates for four seats with 640 votes or 14.65%. She ran for Carbondale Township Trustee, Jackson County, IL.

Steve Alesch finished sixth of six candidates for four seats with 1,405 votes or 8.94%. Steve ran for Winfield Township Trustee, Dupage County, IL.

Posted at Medill Reports Chicago

It’s not easy being Green for 5th District candidate

by Markham Heid
April 07, 2009

As voter’s trickled into the polls Tuesday to vote in the 5^th District Congressional race, Green Party candidate Matt Reichel was hoping the meager turnout would improve his chances for an upset over his heavily favored Democratic opponent.

Reichel, a 27-year-old Northwest Side resident, is running against a frontrunner he described as part of “the Democratic machine establishment.” Although Democratic candidate and Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley is expected to win easily, Reichel wasn’t ready to concede the race Tuesday morning.

….The 5^th District has historically voted heavily in favor of the Democratic Party. In the special primary elections leading up to Tuesday’s race, Quigley received about 12,100 votes, almost three times more than Reichel and all six Republican Party candidates combined.

Read more

Posted at Green Party Watch

by Ron Hardy

Posted at Ballot Access News

March 13th, 2009

Illinois currently lets qualified political parties nominate someone after the primary is over, if the primary didn’t produce a party nominee. On March 10, the House Elections & Campaign Reform Committee passed HB 723, to restrict the ability of qualified political parties to continue to enjoy that freedom. The bill is sponsored by three Republicans and two Democrats, all from Chicago or its suburbs. A similar bill made some headway last year, but did not pass last year. The bill seems especially hurtful to the Green Party, which is a ballot-qualified party. Current law says the vacancy can be filled until 60 days after the primary. The bill would restrict that to 16 days. The process for filling vacant nominations is very complex and shortening the time will make it even more difficult. The bill also says that after 16 days, a party can still fill a vacancy, but only if it submits a petition signed by 5% of the last general election vote.

For Immediate Release:  Friday, February 13, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC — Several Green Party leaders are attending the ‘American Citizens’ Summit’ organized by the Transpartisan Alliance (http://www.transpartisan.net) in Denver, Colorado. The Summit began on February 11 and continues until Sunday, February 15.

Among the Green leaders participating and speaking at the Summit are Kent Mesplay, environmentalist and contender for the 2004 and 2008 Green presidential nomination; Carol Brouillet (http://communitycurrency.org), 2006 California Green candidate for Congress (District 14); Green Party executive director Brent McMillan; Green Party co-chair Craig Thorsen; Drew Johnson, California Green activist and blogger covering the Summit (http://www.greencommons.org/blog/63); DC Statehood Green and Basic Income Guarantee advocate Steve Shafarman (http://IncomeSecurityForAll.org); and Paul Krumm, Kansas delegate to the Green Party’s National Committee.

Live web-cast of events at the Summit: http://www.republicmedia.tv/live/acs.html

On-site blog coverage of the Summit: http://www.greencommons.org/blog/63

Read More

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, February 12, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC — Green Party leaders said today that the $789 billion compromise stimulus bill falls drastically short of providing what’s needed to end the deepening recession, and urged the Obama Administration to renegotiate the bill to restore and expand funding to create jobs and to provide a real safety net for every American.

“The US economy needs a stimulus, but the bipartisan bill, as it stands now, fails to address the biggest emergencies — lost jobs and home foreclosures,” said Holly Hart, secretary of the Green Party of the United States. “If the bill has little effect, it means that America will plunge even deeper into recession, with even more jobs down the drain.”

“Public works projects, dismissed by many Congress members as pork, would create jobs and get America working again. Tax breaks for the wealthy, Democratic leaders’ biggest concession to Republicans stuck in a Herbert Hoover mentality, will stimulate the economy only minimally,” added Ms. Hart.

Read more