Kucinich Talks the Talk Again

But will he finally walk the walk?



When the insurance-friendly health care bill gets passed, let's start lobbying Dennis to change to Green. Watch the video.

Weekly Update - Election Day Edition!

Fellow Greens!

Don't forget that this Tuesday is Election Day.  Not sure where you go to vote?  Go to https://www.monroecounty.gov/apps/voterapp.php  and find out.

Who are the local candidates who are endorsed by the Green Party of Monroe County?  

*Rochester City School Board - Howard Eagle
*Rochester City School Board - Christopher Edes
*Rochester City Council - Harry Davis
*Monroe County Legislature (17th District) - Jo Moleca-Voigt
*Pittsford Town Council - Neil Dorfman

Did you know that there are Greens running for office all over the country?  Check 'em out at http://www.gp.org .

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


There are still things you can do for Green endorsed candidates:

Tomorrow, there is a fundraiser / rally for Harry Davis.
Friday, Oct 30th from 6-8pm, at Club ONE, One Ryan's Alley, Downtown Rochester, East End with the band SCANDALS.

The cost is $20 per person.


If you would like to help Jo Moleca-Voight in Greece, contact Christine or Carol at VolunteerForJo (at ) Gmail (dot) com .


Howard Eagle is running for School Board in the city and can be contacted at heagle (at ) rochester (dot) rr (dot) com .

If there are other candidates you would like to help, call Green Party Co-Chair, Bonnie Cannan at (585) 342-3729.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


Congratulations to our own Jason Nabewaniec who was re-elected as Co-Chair to the National Green Party.  Along with Jason were three other co-chairs, Mike Feinstein (from California), Farheen Hakeem (Minnesota), and David Strand (Minnesota); and the reelection of Holly Hart as the party's national secretary.

To read the whole press release, go to: http://gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=255 


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The Green Party of Monroe County has a group on Facebook, a MySpace page and a Twitter page.  And you can get to all of those from our website at www.gpomc.org . Become our friend, spread the word, and help the Green Party grow in Rochester.


Know someone who needs to register to vote?  Or maybe someone wants to change his/her registration to Green.  We've posted information online on how you can do that.  Just go to: http://gpomc.blogspot.com/2008/08/register-to-vote.html
 

Please share this update with anyone you think would be interested. 

Unmasking Poverty

This was filmed in Philadelphia, but it may as well be Rochester.

What impact will Hydraulic Fracturing in the Marcellus Shale have on our Water, Environment and Economy?

On Monday I attended the Federation of Monroe County Environmentalists (FMCE) public forum on Hydraulic Fracturing in the Marcellus Shale, and what effect this natural gas drilling could have on our region. Concerned citizens filled the meeting room and overflowed out into the hallway of the Brighton Town Hall. This is a critical issue for the Green Party and one that we want everyone to be more aware of.

The Green Party of Pennsylvania statement on Marcellus Shale gas drilling:
http://www.gpofpa.org/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=17

DEC public hearing schedule http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/58705.html

Submit your comments to DEC by November 30th at http://www.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps/SGEISComments/comment/index.cfm.

Description:

Wes Gillingham - Program Director of Catskill Mountain Keeper, http://catskillmountainkeeper.org

Dr. Diane Hope - William A. Kern Professor in Communication, Rochester Institute of Technology http://www.rit.edu/cla/communication/kern/

Ashur Terwilliger - Chemung County Farm Bureau President

Dr. Ron Bishop, lecturer in chemistry and biochemistry at SUNY Oneonta.

Follow up meeting scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2009

http://fmce.org/meetings.html

Forum materials:
Article: Facts to consider about drilling in the Marcellus Shale
Article: What can we learn from Pennsylvania's experience drilling in shale?
Forum Handout: Reference/Action Sheet provided at the Oct 19, 2009 NYS Natural Gas Public Forum

http://essentialdissent.blogspot.com/2009/06/marcellus-shale-gas-drilling-and-water.html Three-part video from 6/22/2009 Forum in Bath

http://wamu.org/programs/dr/09/09/23.php#27499 Diane Rehm Show 10/23/2009 (Be sure to listen to the whole hour to hear the full spectrum of the issue.)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113142234 NPR article September 23, 2009 focused on the water contamination questions

http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/46288.html DEC Marcellus Shale Fact Sheet

http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/47554.html DEC Draft Rules regarding Drilling - released 9/30 - public comments accepted through Nov 30, 2009. http://www.propublica.org/feature/new-york-state-paves-way-for-gas-drilling-with-release-of-review-930 Analysis of the new DEC Draft Rules by ProPublica.

Green Party Weekly Update - October 22, 2009

Hola, Green Party Compadres!

There's news on the Endorsed Candidate Front:

From Harry Davis (Rochester City Council)
There's a couple of fundraisers coming up...

Saturday, October 24th, 7:30pm at Abilene Lounge, featuring the Buddahood Marching Band.
http://www.myspace.com/thebuddhahood

Abilene Lounge
153 Liberty Pole Way
Rochester, NY 14604-1420
(585) 232-3230

AND

Friday, Oct 30th from 6-8pm, at Club ONE, One Ryan's Alley, Downtown Rochester, East End with the band SCANDALS.

Each is $20 per person and you can RSVP to:  

From Howard Eagle (Rocheser City School Board)

Rally And Appreciation Event, Featuring Guest Speakers

Rochester City Councilman Adam McFadden
Former Rochester Board Of Education Commissioners James Bowers & Shirley Thompson
Spiritual and Community Leader Bishop Christopher Tillman
Veteran RCSD Teacher and Community Activist Nancy Cuminale
 
Saturday, October 24, 2009 (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
 
Downtown United Presbyterian Church (2nd Floor, Shaw Room)
Across The Street From City Hall
 
To: Promote Fundamental Change And Improvement In The
Rochester City School District Now
 
Jazz: by D.J. Dana
 
Contact: Howard J. Eagle: 752-1426 or heagle@rochester.rr.com

[In order to ensure that we have plenty of food and drink for everyone attending --- I am respectfully asking participants to please bring an item of home-cooked or store-bought food and/or a non-alcoholic beverage.
 
If you plan to attend, and we hope that you will --- it would be very much appreciated if you could let us know what item(s) you plan to bring --- so that we can avoid multiple people bringing the same items. It would also be appreciated if you can confirm your plans to attend as soon as possible --- so that we can get an accurate count.]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

So, who are all the local candidates who are endorsed by the Green Party of Monroe County?  

*Rochester City School Board - Howard Eagle
*Rochester City School Board - Christopher Edes
*Rochester City School Board - Van White
*Rochester City Council - Harry Davis
*Monroe County Legislature (17th District) - Jo Moleca-Voigt
*Pittsford Town Council - Neil Dorfman

Did you know that there are Greens running for office all over the country?  Check 'em out at http://www.gp.org .

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Send your representative in the House a note that you want Single Payer Health Care:
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/175/t/2758/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2980 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Green Party of Monroe County has a group on Facebook, a MySpace page and a Twitter page.  And you can get to all of those from our website at www.gpomc.org . Become our friend, spread the word, and help the Green Party grow in Rochester.


Know someone who needs to register to vote?  Or maybe someone wants to change his/her registration to Green.  We've posted information online on how you can do that.  Just go to: http://gpomc.blogspot.com/2008/08/register-to-vote.html
 

Please share this update with anyone you think would be interested.  

Rally & Appreciation Event for Green Endorsed Candidate Howard Eagle

Rally And Appreciation Event, Featuring Guest Speakers:

Rochester City Councilman Adam McFadden

Former Rochester Board Of Education Commissioners James Bowers & Shirley Thompson

Spiritual and Community Leader Bishop Christopher Tillman

Veteran RCSD Teacher and Community Activist Nancy Cuminale

Saturday, October 24, 2009 (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

Downtown United Presbyterian Church (2nd Floor, Shaw Room)
Across The Street From City Hall

To: Promote Fundamental Change And Improvement In The Rochester City School District Now

Jazz: by D.J. Dana

Contact: Howard J. Eagle: 752-1426 or heagle (at) rochester (dot) rr (dot) com

[In order to ensure that we have plenty of food and drink for everyone attending --- I am respectfully asking participants to please bring an item of home-cooked or store-bought food and/or a non-alcoholic beverage.

If you plan to attend, and we hope that you will --- it would be very much appreciated if you could let us know what item(s) you plan to bring --- so that we can avoid multiple people bringing the same items. It would also be appreciated if you can confirm your plans to attend as soon as possible --- so that we can get an accurate count.]

Fundraisers for Green Endorsed Candidate Harry Davis

Saturday, October 24th, 7:30pm: Fundraiser at Abilene Lounge, featuring the Buddahood Marching Band.

http://www.myspace.com/thebuddhahood

Abilene Lounge
153 Liberty Pole Way
Rochester, NY 14604-1420
(585) 232-3230

AND

Friday, Oct 30th from 6-8pm: Fundraiser for Committee To Elect Harry Davis at Club ONE, One Ryan's Alley, Downtown Rochester, East End with the band SCANDALS.

Scandals

One Restuarant & Lounge

Alan Grayson on Real Time

Weekly Update - October 15

My Fellow Greens!

A couple of quick thank you's:

A thank you to all the candidates and non-candidates who came to the Monthly Meeting on Monday. If you're not sure whom the Green Party is endorsing just read below.

The next Monthly Meeting is Monday, November 9th. Mark it on your calendar. Details are coming.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another Thank You to all the folks who have been supportive of the people at last week's War Protest downtown who were abused and intimidated by the Rochester Police Department. Many of those there were fellow Greens. The speakers at this week's City Council Meeting were phenomenal. You can go to our website for video of the protest and the police harassment of an SDS meeting afterward. http://www.gpomc.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, who are the local candidates who are endorsed by the Green Party of Monroe County?

*Rochester City School Board - Howard Eagle
*Rochester City School Board - Christopher Edes
*Rochester City School Board - Van White
*Rochester City Council - Harry Davis
*Monroe County Legislature (17th District) - Jo Moleca-Voigt
*Pittsford Town Council - Neil Dorfman

Did you know that there are Greens running for office all over the country? Check 'em out at http://www.gp.org.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Would you like to see the REAL reasons why President Obama should not have been given the Nobel Peace Prize? Check out http://gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=254.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Normally, we don't do concert promotions as part of the GPoMC weekly update, but in this case...well, we just will.

Our own Deborah Magone will be playing a series of Friday night shows at The Little Theater Café, Oct 16, 23 & 30, all at 8:30pm. Deb is a co-chair of the local party and not only will rock your socks off, but mixes in some great songs that fit perfectly with the Green's Ten Key Values. Check her out! You'll be glad you did!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Green Party of Monroe County has a group on Facebook, a MySpace page and a Twitter page. And you can get to all of those from our website at www.gpomc.org. Become our friend, spread the word, and help the Green Party grow in Rochester.


Know someone who needs to register to vote? Or maybe someone wants to change his/her registration to Green. We've posted information online on how you can do that. Just go to: http://gpomc.blogspot.com/2008/08/register-to-vote.html


Please share this update with anyone you think would be interested.

It's A Small World Afterall

Tonight, 40 or so people came down to City Hall in Rochester, NY to speak out against the police brutality that occurred last Wednesday at a peace rally and the surveillance and intimidation of protesters afterward. Situations like that can get pretty heated and tense so it was really nice of whoever is in charge of security at these things to provide us with a familiar face to act as a calm, peaceful influence.

Whom did they choose?

Why the same officer who was in the lead, beating people up last Wednesday. How thoughtful of the RPD! Someone should send them flowers...or at least a nice thank you note.

By the way, everyone there did a great job speaking. Let's see if City Council will do the job they were elected to do.

Rochester Police Try to Intimidate Citizens

GPoMC Monthly Meeting This Monday

Check out this month's Green Party meeting.

Monday, October 12th at 7pm in the meeting room of the GVGA at 875 E. Main Street, 5th floor. We'll be discussing upcoming elections at local and state levels with fellow Greens. Elections to be covered include this November's, where numerous candidates have been cross-endorsed as well as upoming elections in 2010.

Scheduled to be there are City School Board Candidates Howard Eagle and Chris Edes as well as City Council Candidate Harry Davis and Greece County Legislature candidate Jo Moleca. We'll also be featuring Alex White, who intended to run for Mayor in the city, but whose petitions were invalidated by a Democratic challenge.

We will also be updating folks on the recent brou-ha-ha between war protesters and the Rochester Police Department as well as other events relating to the Green Party and the progressive values it represents:

The Green Party of Monroe County is a grassroots-based party united around key issues and values and is the only progressive electoral voice in Monroe County. Its vision for Monroe County includes a revitalized, locally based economy; ecologically smart development, economic and social justice and increased reliance on renewable energy sources.

www.gpomc.org

Greens urge widespread antiwar protests on the day President Obama accepts his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo

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

For Immediate Release:
Friday, October 9, 2009

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


WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders expressed puzzlement and outrage over the decision to award President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize, and urged widespread demonstrations against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to take place in Oslo, Washington, and other cities on the day Mr. Obama picks up his prize in Oslo.

"The chief difference between President Obama and President Bush on war policy is one of salesmanship. The international cooperation that the Nobel Committee praises means only that Mr. Obama has had more success in selling aggressive war policies -- maintaining the Afghanistan and Iraq occupations, with plans to increase troop levels in Afghanistan," said Jody Grage, treasurer of the Green Party of the United States.

"We hope that those who support the Nobel Committee's decision and are proud of President Obama will join antiwar protests and urge Mr. Obama to honor the Peace Prize by ending the occupations," Ms. Grage added.

The Green Party supports peace rallies and other antiwar events planned for the rest of October (http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=251).

Greens asserted that President Obama's willingness to sit down and talk with other leaders around the world, including those from Muslim nations, was not enough to merit the Peace Prize, only that the Obama White House was behaving more like administrations before George W. Bush became president.

"Created a 'new climate in international politics'? This means that the Nobel Prize committee is giving President Obama an award for not being George W. Bush," said Craig Thorsen, national co-chair of the Green Party (and a Norwegian-American). "Mr. Obama should turn down the prize, or risk comparison to former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Mr. Kissinger accepted the Peace Prize in 1973 after his criminal actions with President Nixon to expand the Vietnam War into Cambodia and Laos -- just as Mr. Obama has moved the Afghanistan War into Pakistan."

Greens listed some details the Nobel Committee should have considered before awarding President Obama the Peace Prize:


* President Obama has expanded the war in Afghanistan, with air attacks now inside Pakistan's borders. He will send 21,000 more US troops to Afghanistan, raising the number to 68,000 by November. Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed and maimed in the Afghanistan War, with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) counting 1,500 civilian deaths from January to August in 2009 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_casualties_of_the_War_in_Afghanistan_(2001%E2%80%93present)). Mr. Obama's preemptive deployment of drones since his inauguration has resulted in at least 700 civilian deaths. (UNAMA admits that Afghan civilian casualty figures are significantly underreported.)


* He has maintained an occupation force of 124,000 US troops in Iraq (to be reduced to 120,000 later in October). While pledging to withdraw troops in 2010, he intends to leave up to 50,000 military personnel to protect western interests -- which means US and UK control over Iraqi oil resources. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians have been killed because of the US invasion and occupation, with millions more injured and displaced.


* He has maintained most Bush policies on the Middle East, with little criticism of Israel's brutal record of human rights abuses against Palestinians, no accountability for Israel's invasion of Gaza, and continued arms shipments to Israel.


* He has allowed an increase in the export of weapons, with the US now supplying 2/3 of arms around the world. He has refused to sign the treaty to ban cluster bombs, which mainly kill and maim civilians.


* He has pressed for more military funding, which is now at the highest level in US history. The day before the Peace Prize was announced, the US House complied with the Pentagon's budget request and passed a 680-billion-dollar defense authorization bill. Mr. Obama has also increased the use of private mercenary forces, which are unaccountable to laws that curtail abuses in the US armed forces.


* He has threatened sanctions against Iran over the latter's nuclear plants, recently accusing Iran of secrecy on its Qom facility despite Iran's voluntary report to the IAEA on the site. While repeating unproven claims that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, President Obama is cooperating with Israel's attempts to keep its own nuclear arms a secret (http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/02/president-obama-has-reaffirmed-a-4-decade-old-secr/?feat=home_top5_shared). (See also Juan Cole on US disinformation about Iran, http://www.juancole.com/2009/10/top-things-you-think-you-know-about.html) Sanctions and other actions against Iran, including a possible Israeli air strike with US permission, risk a greater regional or global conflict.


* He has failed to join other world and Latin American leaders in condemning the military coup in Honduras. Instead, the Obama administration has negotiated with the coup leaders before and after the coup, siding with wealthy interests seeking to block the democratically elected government's efforts to improve the living standards of the country's workers. By refusing to call it a coup, Mr. Obama has blocked automatic sanctions that would legally be triggered against the coup leaders and would help restore Honduras' constitutional government.


* In his efforts to curb global warming, President Obama's concessions to corporate polluters (cap and trade schemes, unregulated markets, etc.) are placing future generations at risk of war over resources. (See Green Party press releases: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=252 and http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=235)


* Despite the new ban on torture, the Obama Administration has maintained most Bush policies on the suppression of US war crimes evidence, denial of habeas corpus rights to victims of extraordinary rendition and torture, warrantless surveillance of US citizens, attempts to chisel away protections for whistle-blowers and investigative journalists, and other violations of US constitutional and international law.





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
Summer 2009 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog

Greens, calling the Kerry-Boxer Senate bill on climate change an "armful of retreats and compromises," seek more immediate international action

Greens, calling the Kerry-Boxer Senate bill on climate change an "armful of retreats and compromises," seek more immediate international action to curb global warming

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

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, October 7, 2009

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



Green Party Speakers Bureau: Greens available to speak on the climate crisis, energy policy, and transportation
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-ecological.php
http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-energy.php


WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders criticized the Kerry-Boxer draft "cap and trade" climate change bill in the US Senate, calling it dangerously inadequate as evidence mounts that global warming is advancing more rapidly than scientists believed a few years ago.

"While Democrats are calling the Kerry-Boxer bill ambitious and far-reaching, the proposed legislation doesn't come close to what we need to do now to halt the destruction of our future," said Wes Rolley, co-chair of the Green Party's EcoAction Committee. "When President Obama goes to the UN Climate Change Summit, he needs to show up with real solutions to cut CO2 emissions and lower energy consumption, not with an armful of Kerry-Boxer retreats and compromises."

A recent UN report warned that the earth is likely to heat up more than 2 degrees Celsius, which could lead to a global catastrophe (http://www.unep.org/compendium2009/PDF/Compendium2009_fullreport.pdf), while the UN Environment Program recently forecast a rise in temperature as high as 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit by the century's end (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/24/AR2009092402602.html). The 2009 UN Climate Change Summit will take place December 7 to 18 in Copenhagen (http://en.cop15.dk).

"The White House and Congress have the opportunity to lead the world in an immediate, intense, and concerted effort to prevent global warming and future wars over dwindling fresh water and other resources. Unfortunately, they're retreating from the most important measures required in such an effort. They're doing so out of deference to corporate lobbies," said Mr. Rolley.

Greens said that the bill would only cut emissions by 7% below 1990 levels by 2020, contrary to a recommendation from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that developed countries, including the US, must reduce emissions by 25%, i.e., by 40% below 1990 levels, by 2020.

Greens also warned that the bill would subsidize costly, dangerous, and false alternative energy sources. Nuclear power is a proven security risk and threat to the environment. Carbon capture creates a new kind of pollution through the disposal of carbon 'washed' from coal and allows coal companies to continue destroying and poisoning landscapes in states like West Virginia through mountaintop removal.

The bill also creates a new and virtually unregulated commodities market, a huge risk in light of the recent economic crisis, which was caused by the repeal of laws regulating major financial institutions. The European Union's under-regulated approach to carbon credits has already proven a failure in the effort to reduce CO2 emissions.

"Cap and trade is a loophole for polluters to keep polluting," said Lynne Serpe, Green candidate for New York City Council in Ward 22 and an employee at New York State's largest weatherization service, handling energy efficiency and green-collar job training (http://www.serpeforcouncil.com). "In many instances, emissions trading encourages greenhouse gas emissions, because it allows companies with low pollution to sell their conservation credits to the highest bidders, giving top polluters a license to maintain or increase pollution levels. The Kerry-Boxer bill's offset loopholes, including deals for methane capture in coal mines, gas pipelines, and landfills, will allow even more emissions."

The Green Party calls for bans on new coal fired-power plants, new nuclear power plants (with early retirement of current nuclear reactors), and all mountaintop coal removal. The party endorses a reduction by 90% of mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by 2012, targeted carbon taxes, investment in renewable noncarbon-based energy technology, and reduction of CO2 and SO2 emissions by 80% by 2020.

"We need a reorganization of the US economy that will create millions of new jobs in conversion to safe clean energy, conservation, and expansion of public transportation to replace car traffic," said Cam Gordon, Green candidate for reelection to the Minneapolis City Council in Ward 2 (http://www.camgordon.org). "Our children and grandchildren are depending on us not to bargain away their future."

See also the Green Party's press release on the House bill, "Greens give a thumbs-down to the House energy bill, urge Obama and the Senate to pass stronger anti-global warming legislation" (July 15, 2009, http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=235).

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

"Greens: Obama and Congress are wrong on 'clean coal', nuclear energy, and emissions trading"
Green Party press release, May 20, 2009
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=214

"Time for Plan B: Cutting Carbon Emissions 80 Percent by 2020"
By Lester R. Brown et al., Earth Policy Institute
http://www.earth-policy.org/datacenter/pdf/80by2020notes.pdf

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

Greens to join mid-October protests against US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

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

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, September 30, 2009

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


WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders, activists, and members across the US plan to participate in mass rallies, marches, coordinated local and regional demonstrations, and other forms of protest to take place on and around Saturday, October 17 calling for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The National Assembly to End the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars (https://www.natassembly.org/Home_Page.html) is coordinating the nationwide mid-October protests. October 2009 marks the eighth year of the US war in Afghanistan and seven years since Congress passed a resolution authorizing an invasion of Iraq.

"While a majority of Democrats and Republicans in Congress lined up behind President Bush's call for an invasion of Iraq based on a litany of deceptions, the Green Party opposed and protested the war from the beginning. The election of Barack Obama in 2008 brought no real change -- America is still waging war against Afghanistan and Iraq, with attacks on Pakistan and threats to attack Iran," said Rosa Clemente, the Green Party's 2008 nominee for Vice President, Hip Hop activist, journalist, and community organizer (http://www.rosaclemente.com).

"The Green Party continues to challenge the monopoly on power held by the two parties of war -- the Democratic and Republican parties. We also challenge the delusion that led so many people who opposed the war to vote for Mr. Obama and other warhawk Democrats. The only hope for an end to America's policies of military aggression remains the emergence of a real peace party -- the Green Party," added Ms. Clemente, who is about to embark on a 14-state speaking tour.

October also commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam Moratorium that brought hundreds of thousands into the streets to protest the war.

Greens in New England will gather at an antiwar rally and march planned for Boston on October 17, beginning at 1:00 pm in Copley Square. The Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party is one of the sponsors of the event.

On Monday, October 5, Greens will participate in an antiwar protest at the White House organized by members of the War Resisters League and Witness Against Torture (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=130411491731&index=1).

"The war in Iraq was not a 'good' war, neither is the war in Afghanistan," said Green peace activist Paul 'zool' Zulkowitz.

The Green Party demands:

Immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all US troops, military personnel, bases, contractors, and mercenaries from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

An immediate end to all US support for the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the ongoing siege against Gaza and the Palestinian people.

An end to sanctions, threats of war, and attacks against Iran, North Korea, Somalia, or any other nation, whose right to self-determination is under assault by Washington's aggressive drive for hegemony. We strongly oppose interference in the internal affairs of these countries, as well as Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia and any other nation targeted by the US government for political destabilization.

Investigation and prosecution of war crimes, including torture, with an assurance that all such crimes never happen again.

A lopsided vote by the US House of Representatives (368-60) on May 14, 2009 approved the Obama Administration's request for $97 billion for US military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The US Senate's follow-up vote on June 18, 2009 approved, by a 91-5 majority, $105.9 billion for the same purpose, showing bipartisan support for continuation of the wars and occupations. According to Green Party leaders, these votes underscore why an independent, unified, mass action antiwar movement is needed now more than ever.

The Green Party supports without equivocation the right of all oppressed nations and peoples to self-determination, whether in the Middle East or in other parts of the world, such as Haiti.

Greens stand in solidarity with working people, their unions and allies, and demand that the trillions spent on wars and the military be diverted to support for homeowners, the opening of plants to create new green jobs instead of seeing them shut down, and maintaining and expanding urgently needed social programs

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
Summer 2009 issue now online
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog

Green Party Condemns Police Brutality Against Protesters

Green Party Condemns Police Brutality Against Protesters

For Immediate Release: October 8, 2009

(Rochester, NY) - The Green Party of Monroe County condemns the reaction of the Rochester Police Department to war protesters downtown on the evening of Wednesday, October 7, 2009. Eyewitness and participants of Wednesday evenings protest to US involvement in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq saw police brutalize citizens participating in peaceful civil disobedience. Video taken by independent media at the event supports this.

The Green Party stipulates that the protesters were participating in civil disobedience and that arrests may have been warranted, but that the violent and egregious actions by members of the police force were unnecessary and illegal.

“Were protesters in the street? Yes. Did we not comply with police directions? Yes. Were the beatings warranted? Absolutely not,” according to GPoMC Secretary Dave Atias, who was a participant in the protest. “Those who were assaulted were already on the sidewalk and there wasn’t a single protester who was violent.”

The Green Party of Monroe County is calling on Mayor Bob Duffy and Police Chief David Moore to investigate the incident that occurred on the Main Street Bridge and discipline those involved in wrongdoing. Local independent media were present and filming the incident and call on the Mayor and Police Chief to use the footage in their investigation.

GPoMC also call for additional training for police on how to handle acts of peaceful civil disobedience.

“It doesn’t matter if you wear a badge or not, you don’t get to beat people up because they won’t do what you say in the time you want them to,” added Atias. “In fact, the police should be held to a higher standard as examples for the community. This was pure barbarism.”

The Green Party of Monroe County is a grassroots-based party united around key issues and values and is the only progressive electoral voice in Monroe County. Its vision for Monroe County includes a revitalized, locally based economy; ecologically smart development, economic and social justice and increased reliance on renewable energy sources.

Video of Police Brutality in Rochester

This is over 8 minutes long. The police brutality is at the end. You can also see that protesters did NOT block a fire truck on a call.

Rochester Police Assault Protesters

(The following account is one writer's observations. I'm sure the police will see it much differently.)

I arrived at Funk The War II a bit late. There were at least 50 people there, mostly college age, with various percussive instruments and signs. By around 5:30pm, the "rally" started with everyone coming together to hear someone from SDS read their demands:

*The US needs to get out of Iraq & Afghanistan
*Demilitarize our schools
*Money for education, not war

After this, the march started. We went from Washington Square Park through Bauch & Lomb Drive to N. Clinton. From there we went to Main & Clinton - the entire time on the sidewalk.

Once we reached Main & Clinton, the group started marching west on Main Street; this time in the road (in the westbound lane only). It was an act of civil disobedience. I have no idea if it was pre-planned - the organizers did not say. Everyone marching followed.

We made it a block (Main & St. Paul) before police cars started pulling ahead of us trying to block our way. We walked around them two or three times. By the time we had made it to the Main Street Bridge the police were able to fashion their cars so that the only place we had to go was the sidewalk, which we pretty much did, but not before they arrested one person - the only black kid in the group. They handcuffed him and were about to put him in their squad car and a relatively older woman approached them and told the police to let him go. They arrested her.

By this time, everyone was on the sidewalk. We couldn't continue west on Main as the police formed a wall on the sidewalk, but we did not disperse. They proceeded to beat a number of protesters, punching them and wrestling them to the ground. Most of us began slowly going back up Main towards Clinton, to return to the park. The police followed us back. Once we returned, the police then approached the group demanding we disperse - we didn't have a permit. We were threatened with arrest and an ambulance arrived, in anticipation of more beatings, I guess.

It was then that the crowd slowly dispersed.

I am disgusted with what I saw. They had absolutely no idea of what was going on. Arrests? Fine. That's what happens with civil disobedience. But the protest was FOR peace. The beatings protesters took were completely inappropriate. You do not respond to non-compliance with violence. No one was in danger by the protest, but they sure were by the reaction of the police.

I did not have a video camera, but others did. I will post links &/or embed them as soon as they are online.

The Rochester Police Department should be ashamed, though I know that they won't be. Who exactly were they protecting or serving with this?

UPDATE: So far, the news outlets in Rochester are reporting, generally, whatever the police are saying. YNN just reported the police statements without talking to protesters. Channel 10 mentioned statements from protesters but did not talk about injuries and are skewed towards the police version. The D&C has a short clip as of 11pm that doesn't say much but does mention one injury (and the reader comments were - as usual - ignorant and sad). Channel 13 did not report on it (but did have a report on how Buffalo Bills use Twitter). I was not able to get Channel 8's newscast.

The misinformation that is being put out by the police is that we blocked a fire truck that was on a call. What happened is that the march reached Main & St. Paul at the same time a fire truck was a few hundred yards away down St. Paul. Some of the protesters were in the middle of the intersection before we realized what was happening. We moved back at the same time police started pushing us back, we were not trying to block anything. Our march was to SAVE lives, not jeopardize them.

2ND UPDATE: After sending YNN an e-mail complaining about their coverage, they e-mailed me to ask for contact info for one of the people who ended up at the hospital. If anyone's in contact with these folks, let them know that YNN is looking to talk to them. I let one of the protest organizers know as well.

Weekly Update - October 6th

Hello Everyone! We’re posting a couple of days early due to the event coming up.

First of all, the Green Party would like to thank everyone who came out to see Rosa Clemente’s talk at RIT on Saturday. There were great questions during the Q&A and everyone left with things to ponder. Rosa really enjoyed her time here and we’re working on bringing her back in the Spring to do something in the city. Stay tuned.

###########################################################

Don’t forget, tomorrow (Wed), Funk The War II on Wednesday, October 7th. This is the anniversary of the US invasion of Afghanistan and we will be "celebrating" it with a demonstation at Washington Square Park at 4:30pm. Obama’s press secretary just announced that all options concerning Afghanistan are on the table EXCEPT withdrawl. Let’s put that other option on the table. Dress as outrageously as you like and bring any noise/music making instrument you wish.

We’re going to be working on registering people Green – the ONLY party to oppose both wars from the start.

########################################################

Our next monthly meeting is, Monday, October 12th at 7pm in the meeting room of the GVGA at 875 E. Main Street, 5th floor. We'll be discussing upcoming elections at local and state levels with fellow Greens. Elections to be covered include this November's, where numerous candidates have been cross-endorsed as well as upoming elections in 2010. Scheduled to be there are City School Board Candidates Howard Eagle and Chris Edes as well as City Council Candidate Harry Davis. We just confirmed Jo Meleca, who is running for County Legislature in Greece. Alex White, who intended to run for Mayor in the city, but whose petitions were invalidated by a Democratic challenge will also be in attendance.

###################################################

The Green Party of Monroe County has a group on Facebook, a MySpace page and a Twitter page. And you can get to all of those from the links on the sidebar to the right. Become our friend, spread the word, help the Green Party grow in Rochester.


Know someone who needs to register to vote? Or maybe someone wants to change his/her registration to Green. We've posted information online on how you can do that. Just go to: http://gpomc.blogspot.com/2008/08/register-to-vote.html


Please share this update with anyone you think would be interested.

Funk the War, Monthly Meeting and more coming up!

Next Up: Funk the War II

Fellow Greens!

Join the Students for a Democratic Society this Wednesday to protest the current wars!

Green Party reps will be there to register voters and help people change their registration to Green - the only political party to oppose either of the wars.

Wed., Oct. 7th
4:30p - 7p
washington square park (near geva)
South Clinton Ave. & Court St.

WE DEMAND:

U.S. OUT OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN!
We thoroughly reject the idea that the occupation of Afghanistan is "the good war" or in any way better or more necessary than the war in Iraq. Neither make us any safer from the "terrorist threat" and both are unjust wars for profit in which thousands of people die, including soldiers and civilians. We demand the immediate withdrawal of all U.S. troops and private contractors from Iraq and Afghanistan.

DEMILITARIZE OUR SCHOOLS!
A school is a place of learning and should be completely free of all military influence. We find military recruitment in our schools to be offensive. Specifically, we demand the reversal of the disgusting Opt-Out Policy just adopted by the Rochester City School District that requires the release of students' private information to military recruiters without the consent or knowledge of students or their parents.

MONEY FOR EDUCATION, NOT WAR!
STOP BUDGET CUTS!
We recognize the most recent budget cuts to devastate the Rochester City School District to be part of a growing national trend toward cutting society's money from education in order to pay for the costs of war and corporate greed. We demand that these cuts be fought tooth and nail at every turn! We the students refuse to pay for these wars with our education!


*****there will be a Drum and Hula hoop Militia! bring drums and hoops if you have them!!

Weekly Update - October 1st

Three important events are coming up. We hope to see you at them:

This Saturday evening, the Green Party's candidate for Vice President in 2008, Rosa Clemente will be in Rochester as the keynote speaker for RIT's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. She will be giving a talk entitled, A Historical Look at the Latino Civil Rights Movement in America. The event is free and there is a reception immediately following, so you can talk to Ms. Clemente about third-party politics as well as other current events.

The talk takes place, Saturday, October 3rd from 7-9pm at Ingle Auditorium in the Student Alumni Union on the RIT campus.

Rosa Alicia Clemente is a community organizer, radio journalist, and Hip-Hop activist. Born and raised in the South Bronx and Elmsford, NY she is a graduate of the University of Albany and received her Masters of Professional Africana Studies and Education at Cornell University. It's a great event and we hope you can make it.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

There will be a big Green presence at Funk The War II on Wednesday, October 7th. This is the anniversary of the US invasion of Afghanistan and we will be "celebrating" it with a demonstation at Washington Square Park at 4:30pm. Dress as outrageously as you like and bring any noise/music making instrument you wish. It's sponsored by the local SDS. Lets Funk The War! Greens are participating in anti-war protests all over the country. Don't believe me? Well check out: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=251.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Our next monthly meeting is, Monday, October 12th at 7pm in the meeting room of the GVGA at 875 E. Main Street, 5th floor. We'll be discussing upcoming elections at local and state levels with fellow Greens. Elections to be covered include this November's, where numerous candidates have been cross-endorsed as well as upoming elections in 2010. Scheduled to be there are City School Board Candidates Howard Eagle and Chris Edes as well as City Council Candidate Harry Davis. We'll also be featuring Alex White, who intended to run for Mayor in the city, but whose petitions were invalidated by a Democratic challenge.
!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Green Party of Monroe County has a group on Facebook, a MySpace page and a Twitter page. And you can get to all of those from our website at www.gpomc.org. Become our friend, follow our tweets, spread the word, help the Green Party grow in Rochester.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Know someone who needs to register to vote? Or maybe someone wants to change his/her registration to Green. We've posted information online on how you can do that. Just go to: http://gpomc.blogspot.com/2008/08/register-to-vote.html


By all means, share this update with anyone you think would be interested.

See you at Rosa Clemente, Funk the War II and the monthly meeting