Greens
Help Swell Protest Numbers Demand "Bring the Troops Home
Now!"
This past weekend, Greens from all over the
country met in Washington, DC, and called on Bush to “Bring
the troops home now!” as they took part in an antiwar
protest that organizers estimate drew over 300,000. The weekend
events included a joint United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) and
ANSWER rally; a Peace and Justice Festival; and the day long “Operation
Ceasefire” concert, which was organized by DC Statehood
Green Adam Eidinger.
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New York Greens protest in DC on September 24th
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The Green Party held its own rally beforehand
featuring many Green Party leaders, officeholders, and
candidates including Louisiana Green Party Co-Chair Leenie
Halbert and Green Party Peace Action Committee (GPAX) Co-Chair
Elena Everett.
The Green Party has led the political
opposition to the war,” said Kevin McCarron, a Green Gulf
War vet” Democrat Party leaders are on the wrong side,
they supported the war from the very beginning and now people
like Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden are calling for troop
increases.”
Among the Green speakers on McPherson Square
was Hilda Mason, 89-year-old veteran civil rights activist,
founding member of the DC Statehood Party (which merged with the
DC Greens in 1999), and former elected member of the DC School
Board and DC City Council.
“The weekend is the beginning of a
surge in the antiwar movement which was sparked by Cindy
Sheehan’s vigil outside of the Crawford Ranch and has
spread across the country like wildfire,” said Echo
Steiner, Green Party of Florida National Committee Delegate and
GPAX member. “Cindy Sheehan has brought more people into
the peace movement. The face of the anti-war movement is
changing and becoming more diverse. We saw many family members
of soldiers in Iraq, veterans, and people from all over the
country and all walks of life.”
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National Green Party banner prominent in DC Protest
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Operation Ceasefire drew tens of thousands
throughout the day. California Green Party member Jello Biafra
emceed the concert which featured the spectacular line-up of the
DC Statehood Green Party’s own Head-Roc, as well as Joan
Baez, Sweet Honey and the Rock, Steve Earle, The Coup, Thievery
Corporation, Wayne Kramer and others. Cindy Sheehan and Rebecca
Rotzler Deputy Mayor of New Paltz, NY and Green Party Co-Chair,
and Wisconsin Green George Martin, who’s also a UFPJ
Co-Chair, were featured speakers.
A number of out-of-town Greens stayed in DC
to participate in a series of civil disobedience actions.
Organized by UFPJ, participants went through a clergy-led CD
training on Sunday and then took part in actions at the Pentagon
and White House on Monday.
What we did at the Whitehouse was not just
important, it was groundbreaking and monumental,” said
Steiner. “We not only surpassed the previous record for
civil disobedience, but we quadrupled it. We wanted to send a
clear message that the movement is ready to make the sacrifices
to end the war.”
40 people were arrested at the early morning
vigil at the Pentagon. And 378 were arrested at the White House
–including Cindy Sheehan.
For more information on Green efforts to stop
the war and other Green activities go to:gp.org
Greens
in New Orleans and around the US mobilize in the wake of
Hurricane Katrina
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In spite of Katrina Louisiana Greens join war protest in
DC! Photo by Daniel Starling
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On August 8, 2005, the Green Party of
Louisiana became the state's newest qualified political party
when Greens turned in the required fees and paperwork in Baton
Rouge at the Elections Division of the Secretary of State.
Within a month, Hurricane Katrina set Louisiana Greens on a new
mission, as they established relief efforts for survivors and
challenged the Bush Administration and other public officials
for the delayed response to the devastation (calling for the
dismissal of FEMA chief Michael Brown, who later resigned),
disregard for African American and poor white victims, and
failure to heed warnings of an impending disaster. Greens noted
that the rise in ocean temperatures, a result of global warming,
has led to more destructive hurricanes http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2005_09_01.shtml
Louisiana Greens struggled to account for
their members and bring relief to devastated areas. Party
co-chair Leenie Halbert and Andrea Garland(both from New
Orleans) and Romi Elnagar (Baton Rouge) kept Greens across the
US informed about those party members who evacuated and those
who stayed in New Orleans, and began work on local relief. Malik
Rahim, a Black Panthers veteran and Green who recently ran for
New Orleans City Council, stayed at his home in the Algiers
neighborhood (one of the few areas not flooded). His dramatic
article "This is criminal" has been widely published http://www.gp.org/press/states/la_2005_09_03.shtml.
Green Party of Florida co-chair Sarah
"Echo" Steiner established a safe haven for evacuees
on a campground in Florida, and sent water, food, and supplies
to the New Orleans area.The Green-led Minnesota Coalition to Aid
Hurricane Katrina Survivors sent buses from Minneapolis to
transport evacuees and provide vital supplies.
New Jersey Greens also sent aid http://gpnj.vshost.com/Katrina%20relief.
The Green Party's Disability Caucus launched a web site to aid
survivors of Hurricane Katrina who have disabilities http://immuneweb.org/katrina.
Pat LaMarche, the Green Party's 2004 candidate for Vice
President, traveled from Maine to New Orleans to assist with
relief, and has written a series of on-the-scene articles for
the Times Record (Maine) http://www.timesrecord.com.
Rahim continues to organize relief in Algiers, assisting medical
clinics and self-help operations, delivering food and water,
clearing blockages, and helping people deal with FEMA and the
police http://www.rebuildgreen.org.
Rahim invites those interested in helping to call him in New
Orleans at 504-368-6897 for information on sending help.
Assistance can also be sent to Common Ground, PO Box 3216,
Gretna, LA 70054.
Halbert and Garland have established a relief center to feed 250
people twice a day and plan to set up a medical clinic.
"Women are leading this effort to go" said Halbert.
"Women are going into this militarized zone of our
neighborhood, restoring trust and bringing love back to our
community through grassroots community organizing." Halbert
and Garland seek donations of non-perishable vegetarian food
(beans, dried fruit, grains, etc); vitamins, toiletries, water;
and rechargeable batteries, cell phones, computers, mobile cards
for cell phones; visit http://www.getyouracton.com
and http://www.rebuildgreen.org.
Election
Update: Green Success in Primary Elections & Move on To the
General Election, Coordinated Congressional Campaign Underway.
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Ann Young
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The Green Party
competed in primaries in MN, MT, OH, & WA; and a special
election in PA this month. We are happy to report that a number
of candidates and incumbents will advance to the general
election.
In Minnesota, Dave Berger advances to the General Election for
Minneapolis Board of Estimation and Taxation; Dave Bicking
advances to the General Election for Minneapolis City Council
Ward 4; Cam Gordon advances to the General Election for
Minneapolis City Council Ward 2; Aaron Neumann advances to the
General Election for Minneapolis City Council Ward 3; and
Incumbent Dean Zimmerman finished advances to the General
Election for Minneapolis City Council Ward 6.
Incumbent Annie Young came first in the
primary election running for Minneapolis Parks and Recreation
Board. Minneapolis City Council incumbent Natalie Johnson-Lee
will run for reelection on November 8th.
In Pennsylvania Marlene Santoyo finished second in the Special
Election for the open District 200 State Representative Seat in
the Philadelphia area. She beat the Republican candidate by more
than double.
The Coordinated Congressional Campaign is underway. If you would
like more information on Congressional races for 2006; or, if
you are interested in volunteering for a campaign, or running
for office contact Political Director Brent McMillan at
1-866-41-GREEN or email Brent at: brent@gp.org.
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