(Distributed by the Green Party of the United States, http://www.gp.org)
Maine Independent Green Party
http://www.mainegreens.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nate Shea, MGIP Chair, (207) 745-4517, nate@mainegreens.org
Portland, ME - 9/30/2011 The Maine Green Party stands in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street protests, and the upcoming October 6th Protests in Freedom Plaza in Washington DC, and asks protesters to run as Green Party candidates in 2012.
"There is a real excitement surrounding these protests, a feeling that a better world is possible," said Maine Green Party activist Asher Platts. Platts will be attending the Occupy Wall Street protests on his way down to the October 6th occupation of Freedom Plaza in Washington DC, where he will be filming a documentary about these occupation protests.
The Maine Green Party recognizes the influence of Wall Street on both major political parties. The financial sector has contributed over $5 billion in the last decade to assert political influence.(1) Goldman Sachs gave over $1 million to President Obama's 2008 campaign and over $200,000 to John McCain's campaign.(2) In contrast, the Green Independent Party does not accept corporate campaign contributions.
"The Green Party has long recognized that the wealthy elite have polluted our electoral system with unlimited campaign contributions," said Platts. "This in turn has perverted the act of public service, as politicians put the needs of Wall Street before those of the people they are elected to serve."
"These peaceful protesters are very much aligned with the Green Party's platform and values." said Asher Platts. "I want to see the people occupying Wall Street bring about the major reforms they are demanding. It's my hope that they will carry this energy and excitement to their home towns, build their local Green Party, and run as candidates in 2012. And in 2013 we hope to see them occupying their state capitols not as protesters, but to claim seats of power in government."
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The Maine Green Independent Party (MGIP) is the oldest state Green party in the United States, founded in January of 1984. The MGIP achieved ballot status on December 21, 1998, after having received 6.6% of the vote in the 1998 gubernatorial election. Today Maine has the highest percentage of registered Greens in the US.
References:
1. "Sold Out Report," Wall Street Watch, March 4, 2009, 99,
http://www.wallstreetwatch.org/reports/part2.pdf
2. OpenSecrets.org, Center for Responsive Politics,
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cid=N00009638
Press release online at
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=298b3e7e39f0574ed0f7a7229&id=66f47a4cbd&e=94a4dbd754
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