JUSTICE AT LAST FOR THE MAYOR OF NEW PALTZ
Jason West, the Green mayor of the Village of New Paltz, N.Y., won a victory for human rights last week when the district attorney of Ulster County, N.Y., dropped all charges against him. West had been facing a possible fine and a year in jail for continuing to use his authority as mayor to marry same-sex couples in 2004 after a judge in the state Supreme Court had issued an order banning him from solemnizing such unions. In West?Ts opinion, the laws governing marriage in New York are gender-neutral, and it was his duty to uphold the equal protection guaranteed by the N.Y. Constitution. As a Green, West also felt obligated to uphold the Green Party platform, which calls for social and legal equality for all.
Mayor West?Ts actions had set a precedent for other municipalities in issuing marriage licenses for same-sex couples. In response, thousands of couples tied the knot until stopped by court orders, and ?omoral values? became the Republican mantra in the 2004 election. The misdemeanor charges brought against West by the state had earlier been dismissed by the courts, but they were reinstated on the same day that President Bush delivered his 2005 State of the Union address endorsing a constitutional amendment to ?oprotect the institute of marriage.? Greens observe that the reinstated charges against West appeared to be an effort to scapegoat him as an articulate and charismatic young spokesperson for progressive views. No charges had been brought against dozens of other similar actions in New York State and nationwide.
As Marc Sanson, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States, has observed, ?oThis [has been] a conflict between an elected official and right-wing public officials and activists who confuse their own bigotry with moral values.? West and his lawyer, E. Joshua Rosenkrantz, consider the district attorney?Ts decision to drop the charges a ?ototal and complete vindication.?
REV. AL SHARPTON ENDORSES ELAINE BROWN'S BID FOR MAYOR OF BRUNSWICK
The Rev. Al Sharpton, 2004 Presidential candidate and co-founder of the New York-based National Action Network, has announced his involvement in a local, Green Georgia political campaign. Stating he felt the Brunswick, Georgia, mayoral race had national implications for black and other oppressed people, Sharpton endorsed Elaine Brown for mayor of the city.
Brown, who once led the Black Panther Party, became a card-carrying Green in April when she traveled to Washington, DC, to speak at the Green Party's Chesapeake Campaign School.
Sharpton made public his support for Brown on his syndicated radio program "Sharptalk" on July 3, when Brown was a guest. He said Brown's candidacy held a certain irony in that she was a "daughter of the Movement," referencing her longtime activism, who was challenging an establishment represented by the current mayor, a Lt. Col. in the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Sharpton will be in Brunswick for two days in August. On the afternoon of August 6th, he'll participate in a community rally in Perry Park. That evening, he will speak at a gala, campaign fundraising dinner at Jekyll Island Convention Center. At 7:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, August 7th, Rev. Sharpton will attend a Prayer Breakfast at Eddie¹s Country Buffet hosted by Rev. Charles Bryant of Street Church of God, followed by a 9:00 a.m. Sunday School service with Rev. Wayne Rogers at Grace United Methodist Church. Finally, at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Sharpton will deliver the sermon at Pastor Nathaniel Hicks New Vision for Life Church Ministries.
For more info about Elaine Brown's bid to become the first black, first woman, and first Green mayor of Brunswick, visit
http://www.elainebrown.org.
NATIONAL MEETING IN TULSA THIS WEEK
The National Committee of the Green Party of the United States will hold its 2005 annual meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this Thursday, July 21 to Sunday, July 24. Green Country Greens and the Green Party of Oklahoma will host the meeting on the campus of the University of Tulsa.
Plenary meetings are scheduled for state Green Party delegates to the National Committee; Greens will also hold numerous committee and caucus meetings, workshops, and other events. A schedule of events is posted at
http://www.gp.org/meeting2005/agenda.shtml.
John Eder, a Green Party member who was elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 2002 and reelected in 2004, will speak at the Green Party's Campaign School to be held during the national meeting. The Campaign School is a series of educational workshops for Green candidates and campaign organizers.
Other highlights include election of national Green Party officers, meetings of Campus Greens and the party's Youth Caucus, and an address by Cherokee Chief Chad Smith.
For information about registration, lodging, and the location, visit
http://www.gp.org/meeting2005/
GET 'EM WHILE THEY'RE HOT--SUMMER ISSUE OF GREEN PAGES NOW AVAILABLE
The summer issue of Green Pages, the national newspaper of the Green Party, is now available! Hot stories include an in-depth feature on Green Panther Elaine Brown, Q&A with rocker and Green activist Patti Smith, and election success stories in the US, Italy, and UK. Place a standing order for a bundle of 100 for $25 at
http://www.gp.org/greenpages.html,
or order any quantity by phone at 202-319-7191 or toll free, 866-41GREEN.
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