Green Party urges President Obama to end the US blockade of Cuba following UN condemnation

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, October 29, 2009

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, starlene@gp.org

Green Party urges President Obama to end the US blockade of Cuba following UN condemnation

• Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on foreign policy: http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-foreign-policy.php

• The Fall 2009 issue of Green Pages, the Green Party's national publication, is now online: http://gp.org/greenpages-blog

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States called upon President Obama to end the economic blockade of Cuba, following a nearly unanimous vote in the United Nations on October 28 condemning the decades-old US policy.

"If President Obama is willing to accept the Nobel Peace prize, he should show the world that he is committed to peace.  The US continues to impose severe economic hardship on the Cuban people primarily to attract a small percent of the vote in the Florida Presidential election. It's time for President Obama and Congress to acknowledge that the Cold War is long over and rejoin those countries that promote peace and justice in the international community,” said Steve Herrick co-chair of the Green Party's International Committee.

The Green Party's national platform supports an immediate end to US sanctions against Cuba, calling the policy a violation of human rights and an obstacle to the delivery of food and medicine to a sovereign nation that poses no threat to the US.  See "Resolution Opposing US Intervention in Cuba," December 7, 2003 (http://www.gp.org/position/st_2003_12_07.shtml).

Greens noted that Cuba has the lowest infant mortality rate and the longest life expectancy rate in Latin America . The World Health Organization calls Cuba's free health care system "a model for the world."  Cuba also has the highest literacy rate and highest average educational level in Latin America.  Cubans are world leaders in sustainable development, including organic agriculture and alternative energy.

”These positive changes since 1959 deserve the world's encouragement and acknowledgment, not punishment.  The people of Cuba deserve to be free from both the external threat of US attack and the internal threat of political repression.  As Greens, we support all possibilities for greater democracy in Cuba, and we urge that US hostilities towards Cuba cease," said Sanda Everette, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States and a member of the International Committee.


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
• Green candidate database and 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
• Green Party Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus

Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the United States
Fall 2009 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog


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Green Party candidates to watch on Election Day 2009

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, October 29, 2009

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator,  starlene@gp.org

Green Party candidates to watch on Election Day 2009

• The Fall 2009 issue of Green Pages, the Green Party's national publication, is now online: http://gp.org/greenpages-blog

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party highlighted several Green candidates running strong campaigns in the 2009 races, with some likely victories on Election Day, November 3.

158 Green Party candidates have announced runs in local and state races.  Below are profiles of some of the more promising and prominent candidates, with campaign web site links and some quotes.  For information about more Green candidates and information about Green electoral efforts, see:

• Press information for Green candidates http://www.gp.org/candidates/index.php

• Green Party Election Database http://www.gp.org/elections/candidates/index.php

• Greens run for several offices simultaneously in Stamford, Connecticut http://gp.org/greenpages-blog/?p=1443

• Ingredients for the success of Green incumbents: Cam Gordon and Alan Brison http://gp.org/greenpages-blog/?p=1422

• State Green Party efforts to gain ballot access across the country http://gp.org/greenpages-blog/?p=1430

• Green Party of Arkansas Sues to Keep Ballot Status: Claims state rules hurt third parties and voters alike http://gp.org/greenpages-blog/?p=1436

• Embedded video clips of Green candidates, other topics http://www.gp.org/video/archive.shtml

• Livestreaming video http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus


CANDIDATE PROFILES

Find more Green candidate profiles and links at:
http://www.gp.org/elections/support-local-candidates.php
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog/?cat=312

ARIZONA

• Mary DeCamp for Tucson City Council Ward 3, Pima County (http://www.decampcampaign.org

).

CONNECTICUT

• Allan Brison (incumbent) for New Haven Alderman, Ward 10 (http://www.allanbrison.net).  The Democrats are running a young environmentalist to run against Mr. Brison in the hope of gaining a monopoly on the local government.

• Jean de Smet for Mayor of Windham (http://www.VoteJean.com).  Ms. de Smet currently holds office as First Selectman in Windham.

MAINE

• Anthony Zeli for Portland School Committee, District 2, Cumberland County (http://www.anthonyzeli.blogspot.com).

Mr. Zeli wants to move Portland schools forward by investing in energy efficiency, improving access to school community centers, and supporting innovative education.  Maine Green Independents once held four out of nine seats on Portland School Committee and passed progressive groundbreaking policies, such as limiting military recruitment in schools.  Greens are down to just one school committee member who has chosen not to run for re-election.  After receiving several key endorsements and running a solid campaign, Mr. Zeli is in a good position to succeed.

MASSACHUSETTS

• Chuck Turner (incumbent) for Boston City Council, District 7 (http://www.chuckturner.us).  Mr. Turner was been recently targeted by the FBI, while the Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party has rallied behind him:
http://green-rainbow.org/PressReleases/20081210_GRP_Files_FBI_Request.html
http://green-rainbow.org/PressReleases/20081205_Drop_The_Charges.html
http://green-rainbow.org/PressReleases/20081121_GRP_ChuckTurner.html

MINNESOTA

• Jeanine Estimé for Minneapolis City Council, Ward 8 (http://www.jeanineestime.org).

NEW YORK

• Lynne Serpe for New York City Council, District 22 (Astoria) in Queens (http://www.serpeforcouncil.com).  Ms. Serpe is a longtime Green organizer and the campaign manager for David Cobb's 2004 Green presidential campaign.  In addition to running a strong grassroots campaign, Ms. Serpe has drawn coverage from the New York Daily News because of her fundraising success (http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2009/10/21/2009-10-).

"Clean air, clean water, clean energy -- and clean streets. These are not partisan issues.  They affect all of us," said Lynne Serpe. "They impact our wallet, our environment, our public health and our quality of life."  (See also "Bloomberg and Thompson aren't the only ones running in this town" by Errol Louis, New York Daily News, Oct. 29, http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/10/29/2009-10-29_bloomberg_and_thompson_arent_the_only_ones_running_in_this_town.html)

• Howie Hawkins, for Syracuse City Council (http://www.howiehawkins.com).  Mr. Hawkins, a longtime Green organizer and party leader, has run for office 17 times.

• Jennifer Dotson, for First Ward Common Councilwoman, City of Ithaca (http://www.jenniferdotson.org).

"On November 3 you will see my name on the ballot under both the Green and the Democratic party lines. I make it a point to work in coalition and to look beyond party lines. I am a registered Green and am looking forward to and participating in a renewal of the Tompkins County Green Party (http://www.tompkinscountygreenparty.org) as an active, positive, local political presence," said Ms. Dotson.

OHIO

• Anitra Brockman for Cincinnati City Council (http://www.whoisbrockman.com).

VIRGINIA

• John Reeder for Arlington County Board (http://reeder4arlington.org).   Mr. Reeder raised more funds for his campaign than the Democratic incumbent during the last two months of summer.

Mr. Reeder has stressed three themes throughout his campaign: cutting the county government's waste of hundreds of millions of dollars on vanity projects so that essential human services, libraries and schools can be funded; a stronger municipal environmental program banning plastic bags; and expanding recycling in apartments and free home energy audits; and preserving affordable rental  apartments.

"Last year, I got 23% of the vote against an incumbent Democrat city councilwoman (county board supervisor).  I expect to exceed that share against another incumbent Democrat," said Mr. Reeder, who noted that 2009 is the fourth year in a row that a Green candidate has run for county board in Arlington.


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
• Green candidate database and 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
• Green Party Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus

"The Green Party announces new national party co-chairs"
Green Party press release, October 22, 2009
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=255

Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the United States
Fall 2009 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog


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The Green Party announces new national party co-chairs

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, October 22, 2009

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, starlene@gp.org

The Green Party announces new national party co-chairs

• Steering Committee web site, with co-chair bios and photos:
http://www.gp.org/committees/steering

• Green Pages, the Green Party's national publication, is now online:
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog


WASHINGTON, DC -- The National Committee of the Green Party of the United States has confirmed the election of four new co-chairs, Mike Feinstein (from California), Farheen Hakeem (Minnesota), Jason Nabewaniec (New York; reelected), and David Strand (Minnesota); and the reelection of Holly Hart as the party's national secretary.

The co-chairs, who form the party's Steering Committee, are elected by the 200 members of the Green Party's National Committee, which includes delegates from state Green Parties and Green caucuses.  The newly elected and reelected Steering Committee members join four continuing members, Jill Bussiere, Sanda Everette, Craig Thorsen, and treasurer Jody Grage.

The Green Party uses ranked choice voting, in an open, democratic process, to elect its internal leadership.

"The Green Party advocates numerous election reforms that would make our public election system far more democratic than it is right now with winner-take-all and rules that privilege two entrenched corporate-money parties," said continuing co-chair Sanda Everette.  "Greens have promoted ranked choice voting, instant running voting, single transferrable voting, and proportional representation -- and we practice what we preach."

The three new members bring a variety of backgrounds to the Steering Committee.  The election of Ms. Hakeem, a community organizer in Minneapolis, makes her the highest ranking Muslim woman in any US political party, which adds to her history of breaking records, having received a high number of votes and percentages as a Green Party endorsed candidate.

Mr. Feinstein served as Mayor of Santa Monica, California from 2000 to 2002, one of several Green mayors elected in California over the past decade (http://www.gp.org/elections/Green-Mayors/index.shtml), as well as Santa Monica Council member (1996-2004).  Mr. Strand is a prominent gay activist and a leader in the Green Party's Lavender Green Caucus, serving as the caucus's delegate to the National Committee.

PROFILES of new co-chairs

• FARHEEN HAKEEM’s position as co-chair of the Green Party is the highest ranking in the US for any Muslim woman or Muslim in any political party.

"Farheen has been proven to be a true Green and is committed to the Ten Key Values (http://www.gp.org/tenkey.shtml) of the Green Party," said Green Party treasurer Jody Grage.

"Among the Ten Key values, non-violence, respect for diversity and feminism are what draws a lot of Muslims to the Green Party," said Ms. Hakeem.  "The Green Party has called for divestment from Israel.  Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party's 2008 presidential candidate, recently visited Gaza and was arrested en route and held prisoner in an Israeli jail for bringing humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza in the wake of Israel's invasion."

Farheen Hakeem has been active in the Green Party since 2002.  She ran for Mayor of Minneapolis, coming in third out of 12 candidates -- the only woman and Green Party endorsed candidate in the race.

• MIKE FEINSTEIN, along with his career as elected mayor and city council member of Santa Monica, is one of the co-founders of the Green Party of California (http://www.cagreens.org).  He has served twice as a US Green delegate to the Global Greens (http://www.globalgreens.org) and once to the Federation of the Green Parties of the Americas (http://www.fpva.org.mx/docs/english.htm).

Mr. Feinstein's goals for the Green Party include “electing more Greens and greening public policy.  One of my top priorities is the transformation of our privately financed winner-take-all electoral system into a system of proportional representation with public financing, fair ballot access, and inclusion for all ballot qualified candidates in all debates."

• DAVID STRAND is politics co-chair of the Green Party of Minnesota (http://www.mngreens.org) and treasurer of the 3rd Congressional District Green Party, where he has worked with other Greens to coordinate spending of public campaign financing funds the party has received to support Green state legislative candidates.

Mr. Strand is a founding member of the Lavender Green Caucus, which represents gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Greens (http://www.lavendergreens.us). He is a proud member of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (http://www.ufcw.org).

"I am particularly interested in further expanding the party's activism, positions, and policies on issues relative to those both within and those exiting our nation's criminal 'justice' system.  There are so many barriers to reintegration and this year alone more than 2 million people will be leaving our nation's prisons.  There is much federal, state and local public policy which is overly punitive towards those who have served their time for their offenses and very little public policy supporting successful reintegration and preventing recidivism," said Mr. Strand.


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
• Green candidate database and 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
• Green Party Livestream Channel http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus

Green Pages: The official publication of record of the Green Party of the United States
Fall 2009 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog


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