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April 2020
Working
toward a future where people and planet are valued, and our government
represents all of us.
In an effort to protect Green voters from
potential exposure to COVID-19, Green Party of Pennsylvania in-person
Presidential caucuses have been cancelled. The caucuses will take
place online during April. Any registered Green may request an online
absentee ballot no later than April 14 at the following link: https://www.gpofpa.org/2020_caucus_ballot. For a
complete explanation of the online caucus process, visit https://www.gpofpa.org/2020_caucus.
PA Greens Organize for 50th Anniversary of Earth
Day
“Earth Day, April 22, is
important to members of the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org),” said Chris
Robinson, leader of GPPA’s communication team. “In past years, GPPA
has held big events for Earth Day. I remember when we organized with
our movement friends to hold Earth Day 2013 demonstrations at every
regional office of the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
because they were not protecting the environment from the fossil fuel
industry.”
“This year,” continued
Robinson, “PA Greens were prepared to celebrate the 50th anniversary
of Earth Day by participating with the Youth Climate Strike Coalition,
https://strikewithus.org/, in
disrupting the fossil fuel industry’s business as usual. Due to the
global pandemic, PA Greens are now organizing
alternatives.”
“For the Green Party, Earth
Day is every day,” said GPPA Recording Secretary Beth Scroggin of
Chester County. “We recognize the existential crisis of climate change
that we are currently facing as a planet, and we are the only
political party that has the courage to address climate change
head-on, willing to make the necessary changes, instead of fearfully
pandering to the status quo and calling it ‘practicality.’"
“My years working in the Green
movement are the culmination of a social justice spirit that I
garnered from attending the first Earth Day with 60,000 others on
April 22, 1970, in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park,” recalled Chair Doug
Mason of the Green Party of Centre County. “We went to celebrate our
planet's environment and raise public awareness about pollution. Many
of the 20 million who participated nationwide went on, like me, to
pursue careers in ecological advocacy or to engage in related
political activism.
“The challenges on this 50th
anniversary,” continued Mason, “include climate change, biodiversity
loss and resource scarcity, and unfortunately, the policies of the
duopoly fail to address such concerns adequately. Only the Green Party
envisions a platform with planks that demand bold, immediate responses
rather than the slow, incremental pace set by the two major parties.
Ignore corporate green washing this Earth Day and join forces with a
planet-wide political force that is our best chance of salvaging
civilization and the rest of the biosphere. Register and vote Green in
2020 and beyond.”
PA Greens are now joining with
Youth Climate Strike Coalition to ask organizers to no longer
physically mass mobilize for Earth Day and to instead think critically
and creatively about how to engage their communities in disrupting
business as usual through different and new tactics.
GPPA
News Highlights
edited by Chris Robinson
GPPA Spring
Meeting
Forced by the
world-wide pandemic to move their Spring Convention online, more than
20 GPPA delegates from more than ten counties met on 3/22 via Zoom.
They were joined by more than 15 observers. The attending delegates
decided by consensus to cancel the Green Party in-person Presidential
Caucus in April and to hold the caucus via online ballots. (See "Green
Events" for more details.) The delegates also decided to endorse a
declaration by the Lavender Caucus of the Green Party of the United
States. The Lavender Greens had objected to the Declaration on Women's
Sex-Based Rights, which was circulated by the Green Party of Georgia.
Want to know more? Then contact your county's delegate to
GPPA.
The
Rust Belt is Ground Zero in the Fight to Survive
by Ron Gavalik
 Reasonable people understand, the United States must be
delivered from the grips of corporate dominion and placed back into
the hands of popular democracy. What most of us don’t realize is that
struggle has centered in the Rust Belt region of the nation. . . . The
world’s former epicenter of steel production in the Greater Pittsburgh
area has now become the main battleground in the long fight to reclaim
the nation’s moral progress from the grips of corporate fascism.
Evidence of the ideological right-wing shift was recently demonstrated
by the Allegheny County Democrats. That party’s establishment embraced
an extreme slate of anti-choice, anti-environment, and anti-healthcare
candidates during an endorsement meeting in February.(show all)
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster and the 2020 Olympics
 The following is drawn from a Report to the National
Committee, Green Party of the U.S. (GPUS) on February 17 by Tom
Bailey, a member of the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA), and
Stephen Verchinski, a member of the Green Party of New Mexico. Both of
the authors are elected delegates to the International Committee of
the GPUS.(show all)
Campaign Updates
edited by Chris Robinson
Garret Wassermann for PA
Representative, District 45
Garret told GREEN STAR, “During March, I intend to
work on some YouTube videos, blog posts, and letters-to-the-editor
while we're inside. If you have any thoughts on topics for a post or
video, or have a question you'd like me to answer, let us know, and
we'll try to include your question in a future post or video!” For
more information visit Garret’s campaign website: https://votegarret.org
or his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VoteGarret/
Jay Ting Walker for PA
Representative, District 23
Jay told GREEN STAR, “I'm the son of an immigrant
single mother. Like so many other single parent households, we were a
working poor family. I was always the kid who loved reading and asked
tons of questions. My politics developed in college with exposure to
environmental activism and Democracy Now. I've been a strong believer
in racial justice from an early age due to amazing public school
teachers. This combination of a working class perspective, exposure to
progressive values, and a strong sense of racial justice have led to
who I am today.” Connect with Jay’s campaign. For more information
visit his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JayTingWalker
or his website: https://jaytingwalker.com
Three
State-wide Green Party Candidates:
https://www.greenslate2020.org/
Tim Runkle for PA Treasurer
Tim told GREEN STAR, “In 2017,
I ran for Elizabethtown Borough Council and Judge of Elections
receiving 8.5% of the vote in the three-way race for Borough Council
and winning the Judge of Elections office. In 2019, I won the
Elizabethtown Tax Collector election through a write-in campaign. I
chose not to assume the office.” Tim is chair of the Green Party of
Lancaster County and treasurer of GPPA.
Richard L. Weiss, Esq. for PA Attorney General
Richard told GREEN STAR, “I was
born in Pittsburgh. I have worked as an attorney for the Federal
Government in Washington, DC, at the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID), and in Indonesia on financing for development
projects. While in Indonesia, I had the privilege of working on
financing for the Sarulla Geothermal Power Project on behalf of the
project company. Sarulla, in North Sumatra, is the largest geothermal
project in Indonesia and one of the largest in the world.” Richard, a
PA attorney since 1992, is a delegate to GPPA from the Green Party of
Allegheny County.
Team
Updates
Finance Team
by Tim Runkle
 Join HERE.
GreenWave
Team by Garret Wasserman
 The Green Wave Team has
received the ballot access forms from the state and is now
distributing to organizers across the state! We invite you to join our
organizing teleconference call at 8pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of
each month to learn how you can help start petitioning.
Sign up HERE to receive call info or email for
more information!
Communications
Team by Chris Robinson
 If you would like to
join, please contact Chris at chrisrecon-at-netzero-dot-net; for the
phone number, visit our website at https://www.gpofpa.org/, or to join online,
sign up HERE.
Core Team by
Sheri Miller
 The Core Team,
https://www.gpofpa.org/core_team, has added several new members and a
new team leader. The Core Team will resume twice monthly calls, but at
a new time: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 9 pm. Any Green Party members
interested in helping with archives, bylaws, database, internal
elections, platform, speakers bureau, technology, or website, please
sign up here: HERE.
edited by Gayle
Morrow
Detroit 2020
 Although many conferences and gatherings have been cancelled
due to the COVID-19 pandemic it seems the National Green Party
Conference coming up in July is still on. You should check the Web
site regularly though because it appears we may be in for a very long
period of the new normal.
The Green Party's 2020 Annual National Meeting / Presidential
Nominating Convention will take place in Detroit, Michigan from July 9
– 12, 2020.(show all)
Washington Governor's Race
Liz Hallock
running for Washington governor as a Green Party candidate (show all)
New York’s 46th Senate District Race
Green Party
Member Launches Bid For NY's 46th Senate District (show all)
Springfield MO 135th District
Springfield
[MO]Activist Vicke Kepling Offers 135th District Voters a Green Party
Candidate (show all)
U Buffalo student Green discusses their decision to stay
Green
The
problems with being a Green Party member and why I don’t plan on
changing parties. (show all)
New York’s 27th Congressional
District
Antifascist Comedian Mike Gamms Gets New York Green Party
Nod for NY27 Congressional Race. (show all)
Montana Ballot
Greens qualify for Montana ballot. (show all)
edited by Gayle
Morrow
New Zealand
New Zealand's Greens pit teenage activist against PM Ardern
for general election (show all)
Green Party candidate makes pointed dig at 'arbitrary' voting
age while celebrating 18th birthday.
“Turned 18 today and was suddenly transformed into an
informed, responsible, politically engaged, member of society. I'm a
completely different [sic] person to yesterday and fully understand
why we picked the arbitrary age of 18 as the point where our system
decides your voice has worth.” (show all)
United Kingdom
How can the Green Party build relationships with the farming
sector? A question US Greens should be pondering as well. (show all)
Germany
Hamburg
election: Greens make major gains, AfD support falls. (show all)
If you have
ever lived or visited Germany then you know how sacred their no speed
limit autobahns are. Green push for autobahn speed limit fails in
Bundestag. (show all)
Canada
A
non-binary astrophysicist named Amita Kuttner has announced they’re
running to be the next leader of Canada’s Green Party. (show all)
edited by Chris
Robinson
Green Party
events are in GREEN. Other
Movement events are in RED.
MARK YOUR
CALENDAR: PA Green Party Presidential Caucus
The PA Green
Party Presidential Caucus will take place online during April. No
later than April 14, any registered Green may request an online
absentee ballot here, https://www.gpofpa.org/2020_caucus_ballot.
This is a complete explanation of the online caucus process, https://www.gpofpa.org/2020_caucus.
SCHEDULE OF COUNTY GREEN PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CAUCUSES April
4, Lancaster Greens, CANCELED; April 5, Lackawanna Greens, CANCELED;
April 7, Allegheny Greens, CANCELED; April 18, Centre Greens,
CANCELED; April 21, Philadelphia Greens, CANCELED; April 25, Central
PA Regional Greens, CANCELED; April 26, Chester Greens, CANCELED; and
April 29, Erie Greens, CANCELED.
April 3, 10, 17 and 24
Climate Crisis Awareness
Rally
Lincoln Square in Gettysburg (York Street
crossing)
Hosted by Adams County Green Party in solidarity with
Greta Thunburg's worldwide climate awareness movement.
More
information from: https://www.facebook.com/events/2206600726129147/
April 4, 1;00 PM
We Cried Power, A Documentary
Preview screening by Marcellus Butler Outreach, Public
Library, 218 North McKean Street, Butler, PA.
April 6
Green Party of Chester County Meeting
CANCELED.
More information from: [email protected]
April 7
Green Party of Allegheny County General
Assembly
CANCELLED
More information from: [email protected]
April 14
DEADLINE to Request a GPPA Absentee Ballot
LAST CHANCE!
Any registered Green may request an
online absentee ballot from:
https://www.gpofpa.org/2020_caucus_ballot
April 18 until April 19
PA Cannabis Festival
POSTPONED until October 3 -- 4.
More information from:
https://www.penncannafest.com/
April 20, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Montgomery County
Meeting
Rm. 347, Easton Hall, Arcadia
University
450 South Easton Road, Glenside, PA.
More information
from: [email protected]
April 21, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Philadelphia Membership
Meeting
Location and More information from: [email protected]
April 22, 5:00 pm
Lackawanna Earth Day Cleanup with
Lackawanna County Greens
Lackawanna River Heritage
Trail, 213 Railroad Avenue, Scranton, PA.
More information from: [email protected]
April 22 thru April 24
Earth Day Climate
Actions
Youth Climate Strike
April 22, Mass
Mobilization
April 23, Stop the Money
April 24, Political
Action
More information from: https://strikewithus.org/
April 25, noon
Protest at Drone War Command
Brandywine Peace Community, Bucks County Green Party,
Montgomery County Green Party,
Green Party of Philadelphia: [email protected]
Air Guard
Station
Easton Road (#611) at County Line Road, Horsham,
PA
More information from: http://www.brandywinepeace.com/events
May 4, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Chester County Virtual
Meeting
More information from: [email protected]
May 5, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County General
Assembly
Panera Bread, 3401 Boulevard of the
Allies, Pittsburgh, PA
More information from: [email protected]
GPPA Meeting Dates for 2020:
- June (virtual) - Sunday June
7
- September (in-person, retreat) -
Saturday/Sunday September 12/13
- November, Post-Election Day
(virtual) - Sunday November 15
Web Conferences are online - RSVP to get
connection information. The locations for in-person conferences are
to be determined. In-person conferences can be hosted by counties,
county groups or regions. These events are fundraisers. When hosted
locally, the host group receives back half of the revenue after
expenses. To apply for hosting, submit your info to our Application for Local Hosting of GPPA State Meetings
or GPPA-Sponsored Events. We strive for geographic diversity in reviewing
applications, however, all submissions are considered.
Green Party
of Pennsylvania Communications Team & Media
Committee
Issue
Credits:
EDITORS:
Chris Robinson & Gayle Morrow;
CONTRIBUTORS: Tim Runkle, Garret Wasserman, Ron
Gavalik, Sheri Miller, & Chris Robinson;
LAYOUT: Sheri Miller, Dannee Schoepfer, &
Hal Brown
GRAPHIC ARTS:
Kevin Richardson
Everything we do is based on our Four Pillars and Ten Key
Values. If you find
that you share these ideals, come and join the movement.
You can
support the Green Party in many ways; however, a
monthly sustaining donation helps to fund a solid infrastructure to
help local chapters coordinate candidates and provide resources to
make their campaigns successful. As little as $3 per month can have a significant
impact!
Sustaining Donation
Single Donation Purchase Green Merchandise
Join
us and help bring about a future where people and
planet are valued over profits. We have a new, tiered membership
structure that allows you to determine your level of commitment and
support. And if you want to get more directly involved,
consider joining an action
team. Work with
other committed progressives and activists in activities such as
planning events, developing media content, or helping with
campaigns. Let's join together to make 2020 the year of
progressives!
The Green Star is an official publication of the
Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team * 2020
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