Elaine Brown Withdraws as Green Party Presidential Candidate

[Very unfortunate news from the Brown campaign]

ELAINE BROWN WITHDRAWS FROM GREEN PARTY PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Renounces Green Party Membership
_____________________________

For Immediate Release

Brunswick, Georgia,
December 28, 2007

OPEN STATEMENT TO THE GREEN PARTY

As of today, I am no longer a candidate for the Green Party nomination for president of the United States, and I hereby resign from all affiliation with the Green Party. I believe the leadership of the Green Party of the United States has been seized by neo-liberal men who entrench the Party in internecine antagonisms so as to compromise its stated principles and frustrate its electoral and other goals. They have made it impossible to advance any truly progressive ideals or objectives under the umbrella of the Green Party, and, thus, rendered it counterproductive for me to go forward as a Green Party candidate or member.

continued here.

Greens support public housing residents facing New Orleans Council demolition, condemn police brutality against protesters

Green Party leaders strongly condemned the actions of New Orleans police against protesters who opposed the New Orleans City Council's vote to demolish public housing.

Police used pepper spray and extremely dangerous stun guns against those attempting to enter Council chamber on Thursday, December 20. The Council is acting in cooperation with plans by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to replace the public housing units with new mixed-income housing, which would result in the eviction of tenants, nearly all of them African American, from their homes without any further plan to house most of them.

"By choosing to destroy existing structures instead of renovating them for the current residents, Council surrendered to a long-range effort to displace New Orleans' working class African American population," said Alfred Molison, , co-chair of the Green Party's Black Caucus and a Texas Green. "New Orleans politicians are cooperating with the Bush Administration's plan to exploit the Katrina disaster in order to reduce drastically the amount of low-cost housing in the city."

The vote eliminates 4,500 apartments in the city's four biggest public housing projects. Opponents of the demolition, including the Coalition to Stop the Demolition, have documented how past redevelopment efforts in the wake of Katrina have excluded public housing and other low-income residents. The Coalition has called for national support for public housing residents and the protesters.

more at: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=6

Rev. Pinkney jailed for criticizing judge.

Issued by Global Women's Strike, Women of Color in the GWS, and Payday men’s network. 215-848-1120 or 323-646-1269 philly@crossroadswomen.net
12/16/07

Stop Press… Stop Press … Stop Press… Stop Press… Stop Press…

Black Community Leader of Benton Harbor, Michigan Jailed for Criticizing Judge

In the latest unbelievable outrage against Black low-income residents of Benton Harbor, MI, community leader Rev. Edward Pinkney, who has been under house arrest since he was falsely convicted by an all-white jury of election fraud, has been jailed without the immediate option of bail for criticizing the judge who sentenced him.

This persecution follows a successful campaign he led to recall a city commissioner considered corrupt and in the pockets of developers. He is now on a hunger strike until all this is resolved.

On December 14 at approximately 1:30 pm, the Sheriff's Department in Berrien County, Michigan arrested Rev. Pinkney and took him to the jail in St. Joseph. The sheriff also seized Rev. Pinkney's computer.

Background: Benton Harbor is 94% Black with an average income of $8,000/year. Rev. Pinkney and others in BANCO (the Black Autonomy Network of Community Organizations) regularly monitored courthouse proceedings, named those involved in corrupt and racist practices and opposed rampant police brutality particularly following the death of a Black teenager.

When the CEO of Whirlpool (HQ in Benton Harbor) announced a “development plan” for 465 riverfront acres in Benton Harbor, BANCO’s leader Rev. Pinkney was outspoken in opposition to this land grab. BANCO succeeded in having a City Commissioner recalled for being in the pocket of Whirlpool (though he was later reinstated).

But with so much money riding on it, the power elite attempted to criminalize Rev. Pinkney, accusing him of electoral fraud. Without either evidence or credible witnesses for the prosecution, an all-white jury found him guilty. Grassroots action succeeded in getting a possible 20-year sentence reduced to one year in jail and 5 yrs probation.

Until Friday, Rev. Pinkney was under house arrest – having to pay $84/week for the court tether he was required to wear in order to avoid serving time in jail. He was the only one under house arrest in Michigan who was being monitored by satellite.

Mrs. Dorothy Pinkney, wife and fellow campaigner for justice, reports that the sheriff's deputies presented a bench warrant to arrest the Reverend for violating the 15th condition of his probation (which she said they were totally unaware of) by being quoted in the Peoples Tribune newspaper as follows:

”The corruption and the deceitfulness continues in Berrien County Courthouse. Judge Butzbaugh has violated his oath. I support the constitution of the United States and the State of Michigan; we are still waiting on this racist corrupt judge to do the same. Judge Butzbaugh has failed the people, the community, his duties and his office."

What about Rev. Pinkney’s right to free speech under the Constitution? And why have they seized his computer? Have the sheriffs of Berrien County, Michigan nothing better to do than to persecute Rev. Pinkney? No violent crimes to solve, no rapists to catch, no people to protect?

The police examining Rev. Pinkney’s computer will find he and BANCO have supporters all over the world. For example, a delegation from the Global Women's Strike representing South America, Europe and the Caribbean visited Rev. and Mrs. Pinkney in mid-November, and are committed to gathering global support for him. “Benton Harbor’s struggle against racism and to survive in their own home city is our struggle,” they said.

Legal abuse and persecution of Afro-Americans in the Jim Crow South is flourishing in Michigan. We must not stand by while the white elite of Berrien County attempt again to silence a man whose only ‘crime’ is to be the voice of Benton Harbor’s Black community, calling out the racism and
corruption of local government, police and courts.

ACT NOW. Demand Rev. Pinkney’s immediate release!

Demand that all charges be dropped against him and that he be released from house arrest!

1) Call or write with your objections
Call the Sheriff’s Dept, Berrien County Michigan and inquire about Rev. Pinkney’s well-being.

Sheriff Paul Bailey
Berrien County Sheriff’s Department
919 Port Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 983-7141
Email: Pbailey@berriencounty.org.

Copy Letters to: Hugh M. Davis, Constitutional Litigation Associates, P.C.,
450 West Fort Street, Suite 200, Detroit, Michigan, 48226. Phone:
313-961-2255; Fax: 313-961-5999; email: conlitpc@sbcglobal.net:

2) Demand Rev. Pinkney’s pardon and immediate release.

Gov. Granholm has the ability to pardon Pinkney or commute his sentence.

All individuals and organizations are urged to immediately write letters or post cards DEMANDING his pardon.

Governor Granholm
P. O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7858 (call may not be recorded)

3) Send donations to BANCO
Legal Fee Donations (non-profit so it's tax-deductible):
BANCO
1940 Union St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022

4) Write to the Editor of the main newspaper of Benton Harbor/St Joseph and say what you think of this outrage against freedom of speech.

Herald Palladium Newspaper (letters to the editor)
P.O. Box 128
St. Joseph, Michigan 49085
800-356-4262

5) Support Rev. Pinkney and Sign the Petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/624471377
http://www.bhbanco.blogspot.com

6) Boycott Whirlpool and its subsidiaries, and spread the word: Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Gladiator, GarageWorks, Inglis, Estate, Roper, Magic Chef, Acros, Supermatic. ABROAD-Bauknecht, Brastemp, Consul, Eslabon de Lujo.

Let Whirlpool know that’s what you’re doing:
Whirlpool Corp. (World Headquarters and N. America Region)
2000 N. M-63
Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022-2692
Tel: 269-923-5000

7) Demand an immediate investigation into this injustice. Contact:

The Congressional Black Caucus. Phone 202-226-9776, mail to 2264 Rayburn
House Office Bldg, Washington, DC 20515.

Your Congressional Representative. For phone number and address call
202-224-3121.

The Senate Judiciary Committee, Washington DC 20510, demanding a full investigation into the Whirlpool corporate takeover of the city of Benton Harbor. Phone 202-224-7703.

8) Send us your statements of support and we will compile them and put them on the website.
E-mail: womenstrike8m@server101.com

Statement from Women of Color in the Global Women's Strike We call on all people of conscience, those who love justice, to take immediate action against this ongoing outrage. In the aftermath of the great electoral frauds of 2000 and 2004, Rev. Pinkney stands as an example of the power of the people to demand accountability from politicians and use of the electoral process as it was intended.

His ‘crime’ is that he is refusing to bow down to illegitimate and corrupt power, but is instead tireless in the service of the community. Send a message to the body politic. Contact your elected representatives.

Let them know we are watching them. Let them know you demand both an electoral system and elected politicians who serve the people. Call Sheriff Paul Bailey and inquire about Rev. Pinkney's wellbeing.

Signed Women of Color in the Global Women's Strike/ Bay Area San Francisco;
Los Angeles; Philadelphia; England; Guyana; India (Chhattisgarh); Mexico;
Peru; Uganda; Venezuela. email: la@crossroadswomen.net

UPDATE: Dec-21-07 Rev. Pinkney went before Judge Butzbaugh in Benton Harbor yesterday. The judge dropped trying to claim that Rev. Pinkney violated his probation by writing an article calling the judge corrupt and a KKKer. But the judge then ruled that those same words constituted a "threat to the judge and his family" and SENTENCED REV. PINKNEY TO ONE YEAR IN PRISON! Rev. Pinkney was then taken to jail to start serving the year. This will be appealed. If you haven't already, please contact Governor Granholm to demand that Constitutional rights be restored in Berrien County and that Rev. Pinkney be set free. DONATIONS ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED - send checks to BANCO, 1940 Union Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

Cynthia McKinney Announces Campaign for Presidency | Elect Cynthia McKinney, President of the United States

An Unreasonable Man?

In case you missed it at the Detroit Film Theater earlier this year, PBS Channel 56 will be showing the film, 'An Unreasonable Man', a documentary about Ralph Nader on Tuesday evening at 10pm.

I'm reminded of my experience at the DFT showing. I was handing out Green Party flyers before the film and when I entered, I took a seat near the front of the theater, unable to locate Priscilla and Maureen who were saving a seat for me. It turned out I was a few rows in front of a clueless Democrat party apparatchik who made illogical and false claims about Nader. I tried to keep my mouth shut but let out a few 'told you so's' when the film debunked his remarks. At the end of the film he made a statement about Nader not having any foreign policy positions. Well, Ralph himself was at the screening and took some questions from the audience. The first question was on the Middle East. Nader made a extensive analysis of the situation and US involvement in support of Israel. When he was finished, I turned and remarked 'how's that for foreign policy?' All I got in return was an insult to my emotional intelligence. Go figure.

See the film, I give it a thumbs up!

Elaine Brown Campaign Statement

STATEMENT of PLATFORM and POSITIONS

ELAINE BROWN

CANDIDATE for 2008 GREEN PARTY PRESIDENTIAL
NOMINATION

As a former leader of the Black Panther
Party, a Green Party candidate for mayor of
Brunswick, Georgia (2005), an author and college
lecturer, a community organizer—as co-founder of
Mothers Advocating Juvenile Justice and the
National Alliance for Radical Prison Reform, and
a local leader of the “No on One” campaign
(advocating same gender partnership rights)
(Atlanta, 1997-2004)—and as executive director of
the Michael Lewis (“Little B”) Legal Defense
Committee, an activist in the campaigns to free
political prisoners Imam Jamil Al-Amin, Chip
Fitzgerald and Siddique Hasan, and simply as a
black woman from the ghetto (Philadelphia), I
have a long history and significant credentials
in the struggle for social, political and
economic justice in the United States.

In the absence of a national progressive
movement toward the institution of fundamental
change in the United States, I believe a ballot
cast for a Green Party candidate or issue
represents the most significant instrument for
change available for the Marginalized
Millions—black people, brown people, other people
of color, poor working people, those languishing
in prison, those without decent housing or health
care and all the other oppressed people trying to
survive at the bottom of life in the most
powerful nation in the world. That is, change
will not be e-mailed, rapped in a CD or YouTubed.
To paraphrase Malcolm X, for the masses of
disenfranchised and disaffected millions in
America, the ballot is the bullet!

It is my intention to use my presidential
campaign to galvanize the non-voting Marginalized
Millions to seize the ballot of the Green Party
toward their self-empowerment. The Green Party,
too, must seize this moment of national malaise
and disillusion to come out of the morass of
being a repository for disgruntled Democrats and
open the Party’s doors to the non-voting millions
so as to actively and powerfully challenge the
status quo and become an effective force in the
national political arena. I believe I am a
catalyst the Green Party can use for this
necessary transition.

Beyond a call for the immediate,
unconditional and complete withdrawal of U.S.
troops and war machinery from Iraq and
Afghanistan, my platform focuses on the repeal of
the “three-strikes” crime laws across the nation.
No other domestic issue is more urgent for black
people, brown people, poor people. This
Clinton-promulgated law (1994) and its progeny
caused the doubling of America’s prison
population in the ten years since passage. The
result is, over two million people are presently
incarcerated in America, with five million more
on parole or probation, with families
representing millions more affected by their
incarceration, and millions of formerly
incarcerated people. In general, this mass
incarceration—distinguishing the U.S. as the
country with the highest incarceration rate in
the world!—has devastated black, brown and poor
communities, further impoverishing them and
destroying familial foundations. In addition, the
“three-strikes” crime laws overturned the
100-year-old juvenile justice system, allowing
for the inhumane housing of children in adult
prisons, in violation of the U.N. Convention on
the Rights of the Child. Finally, it has
generated a nefarious economic scheme of
financial gain for private prison profiteers.—For
blacks, this has been particularly oppressive,
given that 50% of prisoners are black, as
compared to 13% of the population, reflecting the
ongoing, institutionalization of racism in
America.—This criminalization and mass
incarceration of the poor, when compared to the
glorification of mass murder in Iraq and
elsewhere, demonstrates that in the United
States, crime is a political question. This law,
as it exists around the nation, particularly in
California where prison overcrowding has rendered
the state facilities gulags, must be repealed!

My platform, then, is one that urges
humanizing this society, as follows, a program
that can be easily supported by the immediate
transfer of the billions of dollars spent on
war—one trillion dollars last year alone:

1. Repeal of the “three-strikes” crime laws,
restoring a juvenile justice system, funding
programs of education and rehabilitation for
those incarcerated and transitional housing and
employment for those released, and restoring
voting and other civil rights to prisoners and
former prisoners.

2. Full and free health care for everyone, as
exists in most civilized countries.

3. Complete and free primary, secondary and
higher education for everyone, eliminating the
exclusion of the children of poor and working
families from obtaining a college education.

4. Complete opening of the borders of the United
States accompanied by the institution of a
guaranteed minimum living wage of $25/hour for
all workers, so as to elucidate the so-called
immigration question now confounded by racist
assaults on Mexicans and Central Americans coming
into the U.S. to work and to provide all people
working in the United States with a decent
standard of living.

5. Creation of a base of free or low-cost, decent
housing, so as to eliminate homelessness and
provide every human being the fundamental right
to a decent place to live.

6. The repeal of all laws that discriminate
against or dehumanize people on account of
ethnicity, gender, nationality, sexuality,
religion, age, or disability, and the creation of
laws that guarantee non-discrimination and human
rights to all.

7. Institution of laws and policies that promote
purification and cleansing of the air, water and
land and that outlaw polluting, contaminating or
adulterating them, toward reversal of the
pollution of nature itself, particularly as this
pollution seeps into and devastates the lives of
black and brown and other poor people trying to
breathe and live in the ghettos, barrios and
hollers of this nation.

8. The payment of reparations by the United State
government to native peoples for the theft of
land and to Gullah/Geechee and other African
slave descendants for slave labor.

9. Total dismantling of nuclear and other weapons
of mass destruction by the United States, and
recognition of and adherence to all international
agreements as to war, crime and human rights.

10. Imposition of wealth taxes and reduction of
taxes for poor and working people, toward a
complete and fair redistribution of the wealth of
the nation.

I have embraced and worked for the ideals
and issues set forth here, reflected in the Green
Party’s Ten Key Values, for most of my life. It
is my hope to seize the opportunity of being the
Green Party presidential nominee to widely
advocate for and promulgate this platform among
the Marginalized Millions to bring about the
concretization of it through election of Green
Party candidates in every city and state as well
as nationally.





Elaine Brown Online

An open letter to all Green Party members from the Jared Ball campaign.

Dear Fellow Greens,

We embarked on this campaign which put forward Jared Ball, an African American college professor who was born in Washington D.C. and is a Desert Storm veteran, for the Green Party's Presidential nomination as an organizing effort to bring in new constituencies to the Green Party. It is our goal to create through the Green Party a political movement that extends across race and class to provide a political voice for the diverse “True American Majority.”

We welcome all other Green Presidential candidates to partner with us in our efforts to grow the Green Party. The 2008 campaign season is our opportunity to show this country the many faces of the Green Party and the vibrant array of ideas that we bring to the table of determining Americas role in solving the problems of: mass incarceration, world hunger, global warming, quality accessible health care and education, and the creation of just equitable humane economic systems. As candidates working together we will raise the profile of our campaigns and assure that we have candidates on the ballot in all 51 states. We invite other Green Party candidates for president to join us in planning joint events with local candidates and activists who are working on anti-war or social justice issues. Together we will create a groundswell of interest in the Green Party and will show the mainstream candidates for the do nothing corporate shills that they are.

In addition we call out to all Greens asking you to come on board to help your Green Party Presidential candidates get out the word to all Green Party members and beyond. We and all the presidential campaigns need your help to assure that Greens and potential new Greens are well informed about their choices before deciding which candidate to support. We offer this campaign as an outreach tool, in particular as an outreach tool to Black and Latino communities and need the help of volunteers in each state to make this effort a success. Together we can grow the Green Party and assure that we come out of the 2008 election cycle stronger and better organized than we go into it.

Jared Ball, with DC-based artist and co-campaign manager Head-Roc and their “Capitol Resistance” campaign tour speaking truth to power while upsetting the set up is asking for your support and assistance in bringing us to your area. Schedules are tight and resources limited so lets get creative and pool our efforts to do regional events. If you would like to plan a Jared Ball “Capitol Resistance” event in your area please contact contact us.

Sincerely,
Head-Roc, Co-campaign Manager/Cultural Outreach Coordinator headroc@jaredball.com
Anita Rios, Senior Campaign Manager rhannon@toast.net 419-243-8772

To volunteer contact our volunteer coordinator Nora Gaines at: nora@jaredball.com
Check out our website at: http://www.jaredball.com
To make a donation: http://www.jaredball.com/donate
Stock up on some fly gear at http://www.cafepress.com/jaredball


Audio interview with Jared Ball from BlackAgendaReport.com

Forum: Middle East in CRISIS

A Detroit Solidarity Forum

Middle East in CRISIS
and the Challenge for the Anti-War Movement


Neve Gordon is an author and an activist in the Israeli antiwar movement and a visiting professor at University of Michigan

Nadine Naber is an Arab American activist and assistant professor in American Culture at U of M and a member of the board of INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence

Osama Siblani is the publisher of the Arab American News

FRIDAY December 7
7:00 pm
at the International Institute
in Detroit’s cultural center
111 E, Kirby at John R. Free, lighted parking.

For information and to reserve childcare: 313.841.0160

Sponsored by Solidarity a socialist, feminist, anti-racist organization

www.solidarity-us.org

MI Congressman opposed states implementation of Great Lakes compact.

"When it comes to protecting the Great Lakes and our great state of Michigan, we should not settle for second best."

That's the reason we should all follow Rep. Stupak's lead and close the leak that lets Great Lakes water be bottled and sold for profit.

TOWN HALL MEETING: Water Concerns & Solutions

Thursday, November 29

Wayne County Community College Community Room 236
1001 West Fort Street; Detroit, MI

5:30pm Reception (refreshments provided)

6pm Water Town Hall Meeting


The Great Lakes hold one-fifth of the world*s freshwater supply and currently provide drinking water to over 42 million people. Yet each day, our Lakes are damaged economically and ecologically by untreated sewage, toxic pollution, and invasive species. Furthermore, residents fear water turnoffs. Unless we invest in a solution today, the price we pay tomorrow will be much higher and future generations may never experience our lakes and rivers as we know them.

Join us in being part of the solution!


TOPICS & SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Sewage Overflows
Mr. Phil Argiroff, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

Storm Water Pollution
Wayne County Department of Environment

Industrial Pollution and Fish Advisories
Mrs. Roshani Dantas, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice

Water Turnoffs
Mrs. Marian Kramer, Michigan Welfare Rights

Environmental Justice
Ms. Rhonda Anderson, Sierra Club Environmental Justice Program


If you are able to volunteer at the event, please call or email Melissa Damaschke, 248-549-6213 or melissa.damaschke@sierraclub.org. We need volunteers to help with refreshments and at the sign-in table.

Melissa Damaschke
Sierra Club Conservation Organizer
Phone: (248) 549-6213

Together, we will keep the Great Lakes GREAT!

Marian Kramer wins Purpose Prize

Congratulations to Marian Kramer on receiving the Purpose Prize for her work on water affordability in Highland Park, Detroit and around the world. The Detroit Greens are proud to work with Ms. Kramer, the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and many others on the issue.

Meet Marian Kramer.

Water is a human right.

Green Party of Michigan State Membership Meeting

State Membership Meeting -- November 17, 2007

The Fall 2007 state membership meeting will be held on November 17 (Saturday) at the Hopewell Baptist Church, 756 Highland Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan, 49022.
Proposed Agenda:
Saturday, November 17

9:00 am - Begin Registration
9:20 am - Welcomes and Introductions - Ken Mathenia
9:30 am - Richard Wunsch and discussion of granting voting rights for the SMM
9:50 am - Officer Reports
10:15 am - Committee Reports

10:30 am - Break

10:45 am - Benton Harbor update and discussion - Rev Pinkney

12:00 Lunch Break

1:00 pm - Dismantling Racism workshop/discussion (continue Benton Harbor discussion if needed)
2:00 pm - Discussions of 2008 elections, who's running in Michigan, candidate recruitment (BANCO, MECAWI, etc.)

2:45 pm - Break

3:00 pm - GPUS delegate selection process discussion
3:45 pm - Building GPMI, helping committees to function, next Green Light, next SMM and forum, fundraising, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and any other items added to the agenda
5:30 pm - adjourn

A Political Response to US Social Forum

Saturday Nov 17, 2007
11:00 AM to 1:00 pm

Central United Methodist Church
23 East Adams at Woodward Ave

9000 registered for the US Social Forum, 15000 showed up.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE WITH THE POWER WE'VE GENERATED?

Community Potluck, bring a dish to share.

Hear Speakers, Devise Strategy, Take Action!

Download flyer here.

Rally to Support Part-Time Faculty at Wayne State - Nov. 15

Union of Part-Time Faculty at
Wayne State University launches first contract campaign

Informational Demonstration Nov. 15

Media contacts:
Amanda Hiber: 313-720-2861
Rayfield Waller: 313-212-8321
Bryan G. Pfeifer: 313-832-7902
_____________________________________________________________

DETROIT -- The Union of Part-Time Faculty-American Federation of
Teachers at Wayne State University (WSU) will hold an informational
demonstration Nov. 15 at Noon at Gullen Mall at WSU. The UPTF begins
formally negotiating its first union contract with the university
administration Nov. 16.

"This demonstration will show the broad support for our union on
campus and in the larger community. Part-time faculty are absolutely
crucial to this university's operation, like all campus workers. It's
time the administration compensated us for the indispensable work we
do," said Amanda Hiber, UPTF member.

There are about 900 part-time faculty teaching in all of the
departments and colleges at the WSU main campus and at the extensions
of the university. Some professors have taught every term for 35
years, some are teaching their first semester. Some have full-time
jobs elsewhere and teach only one course; others are trying to patch
together a living teaching at WSU and at two or three other colleges.
The part-time faculty overwhelmingly voted for union representation
based around the issues of salary increases, benefits, job security
and other concerns.

"We do what we do because we care about the community; like nurses,
everybody needs us. But we are not getting enough compensation, we
don't receive health benefits and professional respect is minimal
although we are the ones closer and more accessible to students and
the larger campus community. We know that the power of a union is the
only way to win and deepen real democracy in our workplaces and larger
society," said Rayfield Waller, UPTF member

The UPTF is part of a nationwide movement to unionize part-time
faculty, who make up an increasingly greater fraction of college
faculty. Much like the corporate trend toward a part-time workforce,
universities are relying more on part-time instructors, who generally
receive a fraction of the pay of full-time faculty, and no benefits.
Non-tenure track faculty at the University of Michigan have been
represented by Lecturers Employee Organization (LEO) since 2002-2003,
and part-time faculty organizing campaigns are currently underway at
both Henry Ford Community College and Michigan State University.

___________________________________________

WSU Union of Part-Time Faculty / AFT, AFL-CIO
51 W Hancock
Detroit, MI 48201
313-832-7902 / uptf@aftmichigan.org

Great Lakes in Peril Citizen Town Hall Meeting

Monday, November 5th
6:30 - 8:00pm
St. John Fisher Chapel University Parish
3665 E. Walton Blvd. Auburn Hills, MI

Every day our Great Lakes waters are threatened by private companies looking to make a profit from our water. Meanwhile, all across the state Michigan residents are struggling to maintain access to a safe, affordable water supply. Michigan is the heart of the Great Lakes, and as residents of this great state it is our responsibility to protect our water resources.

Our Great Lakes quality of life depends on it. Now is our chance to strengthen Michigan’s water use laws so that our Lakes get the protection they truly deserve. Your lawmakers need to hear that they have your support when it comes time to vote to strengthen Michigan’s water use laws.

November 5th is your chance to have your voice heard!

For more information or to RSVP contact: Lynna Kaucheck, Clean Water Action, Community Organizer (248) 336-3460 or lkaucheck@cleanwater.org or Gayle Miller, Sierra Club gayle.miller@sierraclub.org

Local sponsors of this event include:
Clean Water Action, Clinton River Watershed Council, East Michigan Environmental Action Council, Environment Michigan, League of Women Voters, Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation, Michigan Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan Interfaith Power and Light, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Raging Grannies, Sierra Club

Greens for Nader 2008 - Run, Ralph Run!

The Case for Nader

By Howie Hawkins
October 26, 2007

A strong presidential campaign by the Green Party in 2008 could fundamentally change the political dynamics of the United States. More of the public agrees with the Greens than the Democrats or Republicans on the key issues of 2008: ending the war, single-payer health care, economic security for low- and middle-income people, restoring our constitutional rights, and a serious renewable energy program to address global warming and peak oil. In 2008, the Green Party could establish itself as a powerful opposition to the two party system of corporate rule, so credible that it becomes an indispensable part of mainstream public and media debate on the issues. Ralph Nader is the possible Green candidate who is best positioned to realize this potential. He is still considering whether to run. Here is why I think he should run.

The Time Is Right

Voters are angry and ready for an alternative. The Democrats were elected to majorities to both Houses of Congress in 2006 to end the Iraq war. Instead of exercising their majority power to use the congressional “power of the purse” to vote down more funding for the war, the Democrats have lamely claimed they don’t have the two-thirds super-majorities needed to override Bush vetoes.
They have attached plans for gradual withdrawal to supplemental war funding bills that they know Bush will veto. The Democrats had their chance. The time for the lesser evil has passed. Voters see through the Congressional Democrats’ posturing and now give them the same dismally low approval ratings they give to Bush and the Republicans. The time is right for an independent Green challenge to both corporate parties that speaks for the majority of Americans who want to get out of Iraq and back into our communities and seriously address the crises of health care, poverty, economic security, infrastructure, energy, honest elections, and our basic
constitutional rights and liberties. Facing a weak Republican field with a base bitterly divided between social moderates and conservatives, the leading Democratic presidential contenders are already running to the right, offering more war, militarism, and the whole corporate agenda wrapped in a “centrist, moderate” package on the model of the first Clinton administration.
The leading Democratic presidential contenders call for “universal health care” through wasteful corporate welfare for inefficient private insurance companies when the majority of Americans support what Ralph Nader has long advocated: an efficient single-payer national health program.
The leading Democratic presidential contenders refuse to commit to bring all combat troops home from Iraq by the end of their first term in 2013, and continue to “leave all options on the table” concerning a new war on Iran. The majority of Americans support what Ralph Nader has advocated since before the war began: get US troops out of Iraq and no war on Iran.
The leading Democratic presidential candidates address global warming and the oil supply crisis with more corporate welfare for “clean” coal, nukes, and the conversion food crops to biofuels that will raise food prices and still emit greenhouse gases. The majority of Americans support what Ralph Nader has long advocated: an Apollo-scale program of energy efficiency, public
transportation, and renewable solar- and wind-based energy sources. The time is right for a high-impact independent Green campaign that the majority of Americans can support without reservation not a lesser evil, but a positive good.

Why Ralph Nader?

If we want a high-impact campaign that changes the political landscape in 2008, there is no candidate better positioned to make that impact than Ralph Nader. Name Recognition: Ralph Nader has the name recognition to run a serious presidential campaign that reaches the masses of voters. Most Americans of every economic class and ethnic group know who Ralph Nader is. And what they know about Ralph Nader is that he always stands up for the little people against the big moneyed interests. Media Presence: Nader has the public profile, record, and stature to command
media attention, which he continues to receive today as a prominent public citizen. As a serious presidential candidate who could have a big impact on the debate and outcome, Nader’s coverage will explode when he announces. An historic reunion of Nader and the Greens in 2008 in a unified independent progressive presidential campaign to stop the war, meet the people’s needs,
and save the planet will electrify progressive activists, upset the two corporate party election dynamic, and compel the focus of the media spotlight. Organizational Capacity: Nader has the capacity to organize and raise the funds for a serious national presidential campaign, as he has demonstrated in his previous campaigns. His many causes and projects over the years have engaged tens of thousands of active citizens across a wide variety of causes and many of them will respond to the call for support in 2008. Qualifications: As a serious presidential candidate, not the least reason to support Nader is that he is prepared and qualified to be president. Indeed,
Ralph Nader is the most qualified and accomplished candidate for president in
any party in 2008. As a prominent progressive on the national stage for over 40 years, Nader has been instrumental in the passage of more significant legislation than all the other presidential candidates combined, including the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, the Freedom of Information Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, and the acts creating the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the National Cooperative Bank.
To help advance the progressive reform agenda, Nader pioneered the concept of citizen action groups with lobbying and litigation capacities. He has instigated scores of civic organizations dealing with consumer rights, energy, environment, union democracy, investigative reporting, corporate crime, women’s rights, racial justice, poverty, fair trade, corporate welfare, cooperatives, watch dogging the legislatures and government agencies, and ending the Iraq war.

Why Green and Independent?

The Draft Nader Committee is urging Ralph Nader to seek the Green Party nomination for two very practical reasons: Unified Campaign: The best way to build a unified independent progressive campaign in 2008 is the build out from the ballot lines and organizational base the Green Party already has in all but three states. Having a Green and another independent progressive campaign would destroy the potential for an historic electoral insurgency. Ballot Access: The Green Party starts with 21 ballot lines already secured for 2008, a capacity demonstrated in 2006 to get on 10 additional ballot lines, and a realistic plan and goal of securing a ballot line for the Green nominee in all 50 states and DC. Provided Nader seeks the Green nomination, the Draft Nader Committee is open to Nader running on additional independent party lines in states where presidential fusion tickets are legal and progressive activists in those states want to do so. One benchmark for the campaign will be the 5 percent vote threshold, which triggers federal funding for the 2012 presidential campaign. Votes received by the presidential ticket on all lines count toward that 5 percent. The state parties that might want to run Nader in addition to the Greens could include the Peace and Freedom Party of California, the United Citizens and Labor parties of South Carolina, the Progressive Party of Vermont, and the Independence and Reform lines remaining in eight states from the Perot campaigns of the 1990s.

Historic Opportunity

We believe the potential vote for a Nader candidacy is much higher than 5 percent. Public opinion polls show that voters today are more in tune with Nader’s views on public policy than they were with Ross Perot’s views in 1992 when he received 19 percent of the vote as a third party candidate. Indeed, in the 2000 presidential election, Nader was arguably to most
preferred candidate. An analysis of the National Election Study exit poll data by
Harvard political scientist Barry Burden showed that only 9% of the people who thought Nader was the best candidate actually voted for him. If people had not voted strategically for the lesser evil, Nader would have had over 30 million votes instead of 2.9 million and might have won the election, especially if he had been allowed into the debates After the compromise of voting for the lesser evil Democrat in 2000 and 2004, and for a Democratic Congress in 2006, the progressive majority of voters are ready to rebel. The self-defeating lesser evil strategy yielded no gains for peace, justice, the environment, or constitutional rights. The peace movement and the majority of Americans who want out of Iraq are ready for candidate who crusades for their demand. People of color are tired of decades of bipartisan retreat from social justice. Millions of working people are ready for a candidate who will stand up to the corporate assault on job, pension, education, housing, and health care security. We cannot guarantee that a full-scale voter insurgency will erupt behind a Nader candidacy. We can only recognize the potential and our responsibility to try to make it happen.

Please go to www.draftnader.org and join our efforts encourage Ralph Nader to seek the Green Party presidential nomination.

Howie Hawkins is a Green activist in Syracuse, New York and a Co-Chair of the Draft Nader Committee.

Ralph Nader’s Record of Accomplishments

Instrumental in the passing of the following legislation:

National Automobile and Highway Traffic Safety Act (1965)
Clean Water Act (1968)
Clean Air Act (1970)
Co-Op Bank Bill (1978)
Law establishing Environmental Protection Agency (1970)
Consumer Product Safety Act
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Mine Health and Safety Act
Whistleblower Protection Act
Medical Devices safety
Nuclear power safety
Mobile home safety
Consumer credit disclosure law
Pension protection law
Funeral home cost disclosure law
Tire safety & grading disclosure law
Wholesome Meat Act
Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act
Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act
Wholesome Poultry Product Act
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1970
Safe Water Drinking Act
Freedom of Information Act
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act

Founded or sponsored the following organizations:

American Antitrust Institute
Appleseed Foundation
Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest
Aviation Consumer Action Project
Buyers Up
Capitol Hill News Service
Center for Concerned Engineering
Center for Auto Safety
Center for Insurance Research
Center for Justice and Democracy
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Center for the study of Responsive Law - 1969
Center for Women Policy Studies
Citizen Action Group
Citizen Advocacy Center
Citizen Utility Boards
Citizen Works
Clean Water Action Project
Clearinghouse for Professional Responsibility
Congress Project
Congress Watch
Congressional Accountability Project
Connecticut Citizen Action Group
Consumer Project on Technology
Corporate Accountability Research Group
Critical Mass Energy Project
Democracy Rising
Disability Rights Center
Equal Justice Foundation
Essential Information
FANS (Fight to Advance the Nation's Sports)
Fisherman's Clear Water Action Group
Foundation for Taxpayers and Consumer Rights
Freedom of Information Clearinghouse
Global Trade Watch
Government Purchasing Project
Health Research Group
Litigation Group
Multinational Monitor
National Citizen's Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
National Coalition for Universities in the Public Interest
National Insurance Consumer Organization
Ohio Public Interest Action Group
Organization for Competitive Markets
Professional Drivers (PROD)
Professionals for Auto Safety
Public Citizen
Pension Rights Center
Princeton Project 55
PROD - truck safety
Public Citizen's Visitor's Center
Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGS)
Resource Consumption Alliance (conserve trees) 1004
Retired Professionals Action Group
Shafeek Nader Trust for the Community Interest
Tax Reform Research Group
Telecommunications Research and Action Center

Jimmy Massey, former Marine recruiter speaks out Monday 10-22 at St. Peter's

The Endless War:

The facts from a veteran of both the Iraq War and the recruiting machine.

Jimmy Massey

Oct 22, Monday, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 1950 Trumbull at Michigan - across from Old Tiger Stadium.

Jimmy Massey, former Marine recruiter and Iraq war vet, will tell of the personal journey, which led him from being a warrior to become an outspoken critic of recruiting techniques used to fill the ranks of the endless war. Although published in several languages, no English language publisher has been found for his book "Kill, Kill, Kill" - but you can hear his story in person. Also speaking will be Rev Bill Wylie-Kellermann and Deb Regal of Military Families Speak Out. Visit the FAME website for on the realities behind the hype about enlistment.

WWW.FAMEDETROIT.ORG

Cynthia McKinney on California Presidential Primary ballot ... as a Green!

Though there is no official announcement from the candidate, it is reported here that Cynthia McKinney is on the California ballot as a Green Party Presidential candidate, along with Kent Mesplay, Jared Ball, Jesse Johnson, Kat Swift, Ralph Nader, and Elaine Brown.

A PDF file found on the CA SOS site does list Ms McKinney.

Why no announcement or press release?

UPDATE: Ballot Access news is reporting that McKinney is petitioning to get on the Illinois Ballot.

Green Party of Michigan Urges Nader to seek GPUS Nomination

"The Green Party of Michigan would like to join other Greens in
urging you to seek nomination as the Green Party of the United
States' presidential candidate in the 2008 election. We feel your understanding of national and international politics, your integrity, and your well-known lifelong commitment to democracy, social justice, consumer rights, and environmental protection would make you a strong contender for the highest office in the land.

"Although we do not have a lot of material resources at our disposal, we will do all in our power to conduct a dynamic, grassroots, door-to-door campaign on your behalf if you accept a GPUS nomination.

"Further, we encourage you to join the Green Party and
whole-heartedly help us build this alternative to the Corporate
Parties. As you know, the Green Party has resolved to run a
presidential candidate in 2008 and go all-out in supporting the Green ticket. We do not intend to follow the strategy of having "no nominee" and then endorsing an independent candidate.

"Thank you for all of the work you have done on behalf of the Green Party and all citizens. We would be honored to have you as our candidate, and hope you will decide to compete for the Green Party presidential nomination!"

Great Lakes water a Presidential Campaign Issue?

TreeHugger covers Democratic Presidential Candidate Bill Richardson's position on sharing Great Lakes Water with dry Southwestern US states.

I wonder where other candidates stand on this?

Will Cynthia Run?

All sorts of buzz around Cynthia McKinney's tour through the Bay Area of California and the possibility she may announce she is pursuing the Green Party nomination for President.

May be just wishful thinking.

UPDATE: Reports of Cynthia registering in California as a Green are starting to appear.

Dingell to introduce a Hybrid Carbon Tax

While the State Central Committee of GPMI recently failed to pass a Carbon Tax proposal, MI representative John Dingell will introduce a bill to phase in a tax on coal, oil and natural gas that will grow to $50/ton of carbon over 5 years.

The bill will use some of the monies to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit to address the impact of the increased fuel costs, much like the proposal before the SCC, which would have provided rebates to low income families and individuals.

A summary of Dingell's bill can be found here.

Another Detroit is Possible

Report Back on US Social Forum

Saturday Sept 22, 2007
11:00 AM to 1:00 pm

Central United Methodist Church
23 East Adams at Woodward Ave

Video, audio and eyewitness accounts of workshops & demos Community Potluck, bring a dish to share.

Hear Speakers, Devise Strategy, Take Action!

Download flyer here.

Green Party Presidential Candidate Jared Ball Speaks

Press Release: Proposed new coal plant would undermine move toward cheaper, cleaner options

Contact:

Hugh McDiarmid Jr., Michigan Environmental Council: 248-660-4300

Kim Pargoff, Environment Michigan: 310-429-9160

Jan O’Connell, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter: 616-956-6646

September 14, 2007

WHY?

Proposed new coal plant would undermine ongoing state plan for cleaner, cheaper options. Why?

A new coal-burning power plant proposed today by Consumer’s Energy in Michigan’s Thumb region fits few of the criteria described by Gov. Jennifer Granholm and other key state leaders who’ve vowed a new era of clean energy at stable prices.

“For months the Governor, the Public Service Commission, legislators, businesses, environmentalists and – we thought – utilities, have been working toward an enlightened plan to save money by reducing electricity use through efficiency and to generate more power from clean, job-rich technologies like wind and solar,” said Hugh McDiarmid Jr. of the Michigan Environmental Council.

“Ratepayers should have one question of Consumers Energy’s bid to slow down these cleaner, cheaper options with a new coal plant and its promise of 60 years of polluting Global Warming emissions. That question is, ‘Why?’”

The coal plant would:

Ø Do nothing to move Michigan toward becoming the “epicenter” of alternative energy development envisioned by Governor Granholm.

Ø Decrease Michigan’s percentage of renewable energy generation at the very time state leaders are considering aggressive new renewable power targets.

Ø Discourage efforts to re-establish energy efficiency programs that would provide energy savings at one-third the cost of a new coal plant.

Ø Increase pollution and Global Warming gas emissions at the very moment state and federal leaders are working on plans to curb them.

Ø Saddle ratepayers with continued reliance on expensive out-of-state coal imports, part of $20 billion that Michiganders annually send to other states and countries for imported fuels. This comes at a juncture where consumers are asking for more home-grown power options like wind and solar to provide desperately-needed in-state jobs for contractors, installers and manufacturers.

“Wind, solar, biomass, and cheap and easy energy efficiency programs are on the table. That’s because there’s universal recognition that those options are the smartest, the quickest to implement, and the least dependent on expensive out-of-state fuel imports,” said Kim Pargoff of Environment Michigan. “Trumping them with the latest version of 150-year-old coal technology moves us backward when we need to be moving ahead.”

###

Cynthia McKinney Withdraws Name From Consideration for Green Party Presidential Nomination

In a very surprising move, Cynthia McKinney, Georgia Congresswoman, declares she is no longer seeking the Green Party presidential nomination. Citing political conditions, personal issues and the 'level of development within the Party', this move says more about our Party's ability to attract quality candidates than anything else.

Michigan Greens drop support for Craig Covey

Craig Covey, a Ferndale councilperson is now running for mayor of the city. As he had been endorsed by the local Ferndale Greens in the past and they are no longer active, the state party was asked to endorse his mayoral campaign. Craig Covey has worked with the Green on many issues, particulary in passing Ferndale's Instant Runoff Voting measure.

He is both a Green and a Democrat.

Even though this is a non-partisan race, his affiliation with the Democrats was the primary source of opposition to the endorsement.

The proposal for endorsement fell slightly short of the 2/3 needed to pass.

Interestingly, the State Central Committee didn't even wait to see his vetting questionaire before making their decision.

I believe this was a big mistake on our part, cutting off our nose to spite our face.

'Unions struggle as clout erodes' on Labor Day 2007

Elena Herrada of "Detroit Worker's Center/El Centro Obrero de Detroit" says it best: "Unions matter because workers matter."

Enjoy your Labor Day holiday, courtesy of organized labor.

More meditations on Labor Day.

Ex-Congresswoman urges third-party support

Cynthia McKinney, who last month appeared at the GPUS Annual Meeting, urged African-American voters to abandon the Democratic Party and support the Greens.

Let's hope she takes her own advice and runs in 2006 as a Green.

Act against the Detroit Incinerator

Hello concerned residents of Detroit,

The City of Detroit is at a critical time to determine the future of its solid waste options. As you may be aware, most of our trash is burned in an incinerator which creates countless health issues and there are very few options for recycling. A report has recently been published that summarizes a couple of options that the City can take when the bonds on the incinerator expire. Public comments on this report must be sent in hard copy by August 31. Many in the environmental community question the validity and comprehensiveness of the report and feel that our city deserves better.

This is a very complex topic and I apologize that there is not more time to adequately convey how important and complex it is. However, there are two VERY simple things you can do that may very well have a large impact if we do it collectively. However, you must act now.

1. Go to this website: http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/greaterresource and click on "Strategic Planning & Solid Waste Disposal Alternatives Report" in the left hand column and register to look at the report. It is 301 pages long with a near 50 page Executive Summary. Its unlikely you will get through the whole thing, but by registering you are indicating interest in this important topic.

2. Much more importantly: Make a public comment. Comments need to be sent in hard copy by Aug 31 which means they really need to be put in the mail no later than Monday. I am attaching a sample letter that Margaret Weber of Rosedale Recycles has drafted with input from a number of others. Please feel free to make changes. If you aren't comfortable with the letter but care about this topic it is still important that you say SOMETHING, whether it is that you are concerned about the level of asthma rates in our city due to the incinerator or that you don't believe that a comprehensive recycling program is realistic as long as the incinerator exists since they are competing for the same products...there are countless arguments that can be made against the incinerator, so please consider making at least one!

Below is a message from Margaret:

Here, attached is a version of some comments that could be submitted to GDRRA (Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Authority) about the Report on alternatives for the future of solid waste management in Detroit.

Feel free to use any of the points we make here, but emphasize what you think most important.

The most important thing is that your comments be submitted, in hard copy through the U.S. mail, and that they be received before the deadline of Aug. 31.

Mail to:

Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Authority
ATTN: Angela Ireland
5700 Russell St.
Detroit, MI 48211

That they hear from people may be more important than precisely what people say.

Please mail your comments today.

If you have the energy, make a copy of your comments and send to:

President Kenneth J. Cockrel, Jr.
Detroit City Council
Coleman A. Young Municipal Building
2 Woodward Ave,
Detroit, MI 48226

And also please email me a copy of your letter!

Thank you!

Margaret Weber
Coordinator
Rosedale Recycles

[link to letter to GDDRA]

Crunch time for Arkansas petition drive

Hi all,

In my role on the Green Senatorial Campaign Committee, I've been talking with Mark Swaney, organizer of the Green Party of Arkansas petition drive. They have professional backup for the petition drive on the ground, and had a beautiful plan laid out for getting at least 15,000 signatures. They need 10,000 valid, but each signature expires after 60 days.

The volunteers have been coming through better than expected. An unforeseen problem occured though: one of the pro petitioners, who is being counted on for about 6000 signatures, has had a medical emergency that is going to take him off the drive completely.

Mark informs me that GPAR needs more help, and needs it now. The signatures they spent a lot of good money on will start expiring September 28, with no money in the Green Party of Arkansas coffers left to hire any petitioning pros to replace those signatures after that.

If they don't get sufficient signatures to make the turn-in on September 28, the valid signature count will probably start heading irreversibly downward, due to the 60-day rule.

My involvement in the GPAR petition drive stems from the candidacy of Rebekah Kennedy (www.kennedy2008.org), who is challenging Mark Pryor, the most hawkish and most pro-corporate Democrat senator up for re-election in 2008. Sen. Pryor is also one of the three most vulnerable Democrat senators in the country next year. It would be a tragedy of global proportions if the Green Party of Arkansas petition drive fizzles.

So, I am begging for help to make sure the Green Party of Arkansas has at least 15,000 signatures to turn in on September 28. Checks can be made out to "Green Party of Arkansas" and mailed to:

Mark Swaney
466 Madison 6092
Huntsville, AR 72740

Thanks for your attention to this message. Let's get some work accomplished!

--Brent White
Delegate, WA
Secretary, GSCC

California Green Candidate in special election needs your help

From Drew (JamBoi@Greens.org):

Your help is needed NOW! Daniel Brezenoff is a fantastic Green candidate running for Congress in the Aug 21st special election in CD37 in the Longbeach/Compton area of LA California. If he got an outpouring of your support there's no telling how big of a splash he could make. He is the major competitor to the Democrat running, so please show him your support by donating

To contribute:
http://www.danielforcongress.com/donate.html

Here's an inspiring video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7R8Rzz2Jw4

More video and info and donation opportunities here:
http://www.danielforcongress.com


Green Solidarity! Together we can!

Drew

Thanks for checking back in.

Ok, its been a while since I've put anything up on the Detroit Greens blog.

But with the GPUS Annual National Meeting in Reading and preparing the Detroit proposal to host next years nominating convention, I've been a little busy lately.

Fortunately, Gregg Jocoy has been busy over at Green News and Opinion and the premier GP blog Green Commons always has something of interest.

In fact, cast your vote for Detroit in their poll.

Evidence of Global Warming?

Though scientists aren't positive and some residents blame diversion, the lowering of Great Lake levels and the rising temperature of the waters seem to be a clear indicator of climate change.

building from the past to 2008

Muy Estimados Verdes,
First let me state that I do not see any clear path to success in 2008. But we do have some options for making gains in various ways, all long shots. We are simply mistaken to believe that there is "ONE RIGHT CANDIDATE" out there who will by their participation as our presidential candidate build our party.
NO, we will do that...or we won't. Either we are up to the task of building a political party or it will not happen, not with Nader...not with Mckinney...not with Dr. Jared Ball.

Certainly it matters who we partner with to conduct our residential campaign but we have to view that person that we put at the top of our ticket as a tool for achieving party growth. We need more people with skills and abilities who have a good grasp of our 10 key values, not folks who have committed them to memory but folks with whom they resonate as precursors to building tools for sustaining communities. For me it is a requirement that the person be a Green. How can we ask our other candidates to run as Greens if we don't expect that of the person at the top of the ticket?

Having worked as a Green on Green campaigns in many places ince 2000 I know that each time we have run candidates, including the presidential candidates, we have built a piece of the foundation that we need. What is the best way to make use of what we have built and push it to the next step? Bringing diversity to our party is the best thing we can do to build the party in 2008. All those disenfranchised voters from 2000 and 2004 are possible GP new members. It is not an accident that most of those voters were African Americans, they were targeted because they can swing an election. With the work that we did in 2004 we have an opening to reach out to those voters but we can only do that with an African American at the top of our ticket. And a Black/ Brown /Green coalition could develop a significant wedge of voters, significant enough to spoil everything for the "big parties".

As I write this I am thinking of the Greens who will see this message... most of you are white...most of you are men...most of you are people who I am very proud to work with... some of you are trusted consultants and some of you are friends. The creation of a successful diverse Green Party rests with you
and it must be a courageous and bold plan that you implement to bring it about.

Dr. Jared Ball has stepped forward so that we would have a Black/Green option and he is currently working to strengthen his base of support. We will soon be forming a presidential exploratory committee and he will be making personal contacts to those of you who have expressed an interest in his campaign.
This will be a heavy lifting...get your hands dirty...build it from the bottom up campaign. Jared is a true Green and is committed to building a credible Green campaign and has committed to supporting the candidate that the Green Party selects. Understanding that many of you must get started on your campaigns as soon as possible Dr. Ball is stepping forward to be of assistance to you in any way that he can. We are aware of which states need to get going and will be in contact with
you soon.

Sincerely,
Anita Rios, Jared Ball Campaign Manager
419-243-8772
ps. this campaign is only 3 weeks old and we are in the process of putting up a website but want to
initiate the exploratory committee first so in the mean time please check out:
www.voxunion.com

Defend Catherine Wilkerson

The Committee to Defend Catherine Wilkerson is asking Dr. Wilkerson's friends and supporters to please CALL and WRITE to Washtenaw County prosecutor Brian L. Mackie to ask him to drop the charges against Dr. Wilkerson. Many experts agree that next to a personal visit, writing letters and making telephone calls are the most effective means of influencing elected officials. So, please make a phone call or send a letter to Mr. Mackie--both would be best--in the next week or two. Mr. Mackie's office phone number is 734-222-6620. For your convenience, we have prepared a sample letter that people can use or alter as they wish (see below or check defendwilkerson.org in the next day or two).

Also, on Tuesday, July 24, 2007, attorney Buck Davis of Constitutional Litigation Associates will be arguing for Dr. Wilkerson's right to an evidentiary hearing. The hearing is scheduled for 9 AM in the 15th District Court, 101 E. Huron Ann Arbor, MI, before Judge Pollard-Hines. The Committee to Defend Catherine Wilkerson is asking Dr. Wilkerson's supporters to please come to the hearing, if they are able, and show their solidarity with Dr. Wilkerson.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sample letter:

Your Address
City, State, Zip

Today's Date

Brian L. Mackie,
Washtenaw County Prosecutor
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107

Dear Mr. Mackie:

I am writing to urge you to drop your office's charges against Catherine Wilkerson, MD. The police record shows that Dr. Wilkerson did nothing except issue verbal medical directions and necessary criticisms to police and emergency medical personnel regarding the treatment of an arrestee who had become a patient in her care, as acknowledged by University of Michigan police officer West.

During Mr. Blaine Coleman's arrest, there were two instances when Dr. Wilkerson determined that the actions of police or emergency medical personnel placed Coleman in a life-threatening situation. As a physician and a conscientious human being, Dr. Wilkerson had an obligation to protest and advise. No good purpose can be served by prosecuting a medical doctor for doing her duty and nonviolently exercising her First Amendment rights. Please drop the charges.

Sincerely,
Your signature
Your Name


It is NO CRIME to protest against warmongers. It is NO CRIME to complain about police brutality. It is NO CRIME to complain about dangerous medical malpractice. Dr. Catherine Wilkerson will fight back. Will you stand with her?

http://defendwilkerson.org

Green Party vows to get 51 ballot lines in 2008

Greens at national party meeting pledge to seek 51 ballot lines for 2008

* West Virginia's Mountain Party joins the Green Party
* More updates from the Green Party's 2007 meeting in Reading, Pa., July 12-15

READING, PA. -- The 2007 national meeting of the Green Party of the United States <http://www.gp.org/meeting2007> is underway in Reading, Pennsylvania, with over 300 state delegates, party leaders, and other Greens from nearly every state convening for party business, workshops, and preparations for the 2008 national election.

The meeting was hosted by Reading Greens, Berks County Greens <http://www.berksgreenparty.org>, and the Green Party of Pennsylvania <http://www.greenpartypa.org>. Jennaro Pullano, Green candidate for Mayor of Reading <http://www.pullanoformayor.org>, was on hand to welcome Greens from all over the US.

Former Georgia Rep. Cynthia McKinney will screen the movie 'American Blackout' <http://www.americanblackout.com> and take questions from Greens on Sunday afternoon at the Green Party's meeting site, the Abraham Lincoln Wyndham Historic Hotel, in the Presidential Ballroom at 2:00 pm today (Sunday, July 15). The address of the hotel is 100 North Fifth Street in downtown Reading, 877-999-3223 <http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/RDGHT/main.wnt>.

Highlights of the 2007 Green Party National Meeting:

The Green Party of the United States announced its goal of 51 ballot lines in every state and the District of Columbia in preparation for the 2008 election, with a pledge to commit party resources for this purpose. 19 states (including DC) currently have ballot access. More information: <http://www.gp.org/statelist.shtml>

The West Virginia Mountain Party <http://www.mtparty.org> was admitted to the Green Party as a state affiliate. There are now 46 state parties (including the District of Columbia) affiliated with the Green Party of the United States.

On Saturday, July 14, consumer advocate and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader and former Green candidate Carl Romanelli, who ran for the US Senate in 2006, spoke at a press conference and party rally about Pennsylvania's grossly unfair and antidemocratic election laws, and about how state Democratic politicians and lawyers have abused the court system to block them from running and even penalized them for submitting ballots. The Green Party will post links to video clips of speeches by Mr. Nader and Mr. Romanelli, as well as other party events, at the party's web site <http://www.gp.org>.

Read more here.

Elaine Brown still seeking GP nomination

Dear Fellow Greens,

With regret, I will not be able to attend the national convention in Reading.

For the record, let me state here why I shall continue to seek the Green Party nomination for President. With the 2006 mass rejection of the Bush Administration’s policies, the People signified their readiness for a second political party.--It was not an embrace of the Democrats.--The Green Party is presently the only progressive party poised to seize this opportunity, toward electing progressives to national public office and effecting progressive change in the U.S. The Green Party, however, lacks the numbers to benefit from the national political shift, particularly among black and other poor people, who compose what I call the “marginalized millions”--there being an estimated 100 million people who did not vote in the last election who could have voted. My history as a Black Panther Party leader, as, my work as a community activist, particularly with respect to the prisoner movement, my candidacy as a Green for mayor of Brunswick (Georgia), and my reach as a renown author and college lecturer, I believe, give me the credentials and ability to raise consciousness among the disaffected and disenfranchised poor and working millions, especially black people and working women, to galvanize them to support and vote for an agenda that serves their interests, that of the Green Party. In this way, I hope to build the Party so as to work effectively toward establishment of a true second political party in the United States.

With love for the People,

Elaine Brown

Wow! What a trip!

Getting on the bus




Arriving at the Coca-Cola march.






Marian Kramer addressing the march.




On the march.






In front of Coca-Cola.





At the PPEHRC tent




Resting in the shade before returning to Detroit.

We made it to Atlanta

The Detroit Social Forum bus has made it to Atlanta and we're all gettin checked into our rooms. We'll be taking off shortly for the march on Coca-Cola.

More later.

US Social Forum, You Comin'?

In a little over 2 hours, I'll be getting on the bus to Atlanta.

You comin'?

DON'T DRINK THE BOTTLED WATER, FRIEND

"Don’t drink the bottled water,
it’s stolen. It came from the mountain
and flowed through the town,
where people drank and swam,
where they pissed under the sun, where
they let their sewage collect downstream
where it quaked and stank
until the rains flooded
and swept the banks clean. Who
can deny it? Man is a beast.
He thirsts and goes mad without water."

read the rest here.

Green Party Fundraising Concert, Thursday June 21

Award-winning folk artist, Tom Neilson, will be appearing in concert this coming Thursday, June 21, at 8:00 PM, at the Innate Center, located at 18700 Woodward Ave, in Detroit, across Woodward from Palmer Park. (The NE corner of Goldengate and Woodward, which is three blocks So. of
Seven Mile.)

Born on a farm, but a world citizen and traveler, Tom is somebody who has opened for Amy Goodman, Cindy Sheehan, and Ralph Nader, is a veteran of stage and street theater, and is apt to be found with his often politically charged songs at the gates of military bases and of nuclear plants, and on union picket lines. He has also been found at various venues, singing for the freedom of political prisoners like Leonard Peltier and Mumia Abu-Jamal.

There is a flyer at <http://www.greenhouseonline.org/TN-concert.pdf>, if you would like to share it with your friends and neighbors or pass it
out at events. Also, you will find a couple of MP3 samples at the bottom of the page at <http://www.greenhouseonline.org>

For more info: Richard Kuszmar: 586-588-1605

Beyond Pro-Choice

If you haven’t been to the Clinic lately, I wanted to update on some things that are going on.



First, we have a new group. They are from iHope Detroit and that’s red tape over their mouths. Over the last couple of weeks, there have been more and more people coming.




As for the exisiting group, they have been getting more aggressive. I have met with the leader, Dan, to hammer out a flyer that we can use to stop the violations. But without escorts, it is hard to keep everyone in line.



Now that there are more people, we need YOU more than ever to support the women that come to the clinic. In addition, I am expecting a vigil (with 200 or so people) on a Saturday this month. I try my best, but I don’t always know in advance, so having escorts there every Saturday is very important.



We have three more Saturdays this month…can you help?

info: (313) 378-2369
danforr@sbcglobal.net