Friends--

August

Green Party Demands U.S. Cease Spreading Flames of War in Mideast

At the request of Barbara Laxon (McKean County), the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) Steering Committee on July 12 endorsed a statement by the Green Party of the United States (GPUS) on the U.S. bombing of Iran. Laxon, who is an elected Pennsylvania delegate to the Green Party Peace Action Committee (GPAX) said, “The GPPA is deeply concerned about the continued and advancing involvement of the U.S. in actions in the Middle East and the dire consequences as noted in the statement below." FULL STATEMENT HERE

 PA Green News

Edited by Chris Robinson

Green Party endorses Pennsylvania Action on Climate

On July 12, the GPPA Steering Committee endorsed Pennsylvania Action on Climate, a coalition of climate and anti-corruption activists who are taking the nonviolent direct action necessary to address Pennsylvania’s corruption-fueled climate crisis. The coalition conducts regular nonviolent direct action training to prepare individuals and organizations to plan and carry out decentralized nonviolent direct actions across the commonwealth. Many Green Party members are already involved with Pennsylvania Action on Climate, which began in 2022. The request for an endorsement was made by Barbara Laxon, a GPPA Steering Committee member from McKean County. Laxon has long been a leader against leaking gas and oil wells there. STORY HERE

Green Party Common Sense about Immigration

In his inaugural address on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump called for a “revolution of common sense.” Three days later, Trump declared, “What the world has witnessed in the past 72 hours is nothing less than a revolution of common sense.” Now it is time to review some of Trump’s assertions about immigrants and their deportation by ICE, compared to our own common sense.
This article balances three quotes by The Donald with common sense from three members of the Green Party of Philadelphia’s working group on migration as a human right. STORY HERE

Campaign Updates

Edited by Chris Robinson

Three Green Party candidates have been approved to run for local office this year. Other Green Party candidates who plan to run in 2026 are welcome to contact GREEN STAR at [email protected]

November 4, 2025, General Election

Michael Bagdes-Canning for Re-Election to Mayor of Cherry Valley Borough
Butler County
Michael told GREEN STAR, “I have completed all the paperwork for my run for Mayor of Cherry Valley Borough and submitted it to the Butler County Election Bureau. I will be on the ballot in November.

I plan to center my campaign around two issues near and dear to my heart – ballot access and political corruption. Small communities like Cherry Valley are harmed by both.”

Tony Dastra for Mayor of Lancaster City
Lancaster County

Tony told GREEN STAR, “I’m looking forward to these next few months of running for office as an endorsed candidate of the Green Party. It has become apparent to many voters that no major party is truly advocating for working class Americans, and the environment always comes second to the economy. Especially as Lancaster City Council has tried to gut the most progressive tree ordinance in the state, is slow and performative in regards to single-use plastics, and data-center proposals have come with no elected officials being willing to stand in their way. To me, Lancaster looks like a microcosm of Pennsylvanian and American politics. If we can show people that we can find success here, I believe there is hope for more local action through the Green Party platform that can eventually create broader change in this state, and eventually the country.”

You may follow Tony Dastra’s campaign here,
Website - https://www.tonydastraformayor.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dastraforlancaster 

Theron Gilliland Jr. for County Council at Large
Allegheny County 

Theron told GREEN STAR, "We are in the last week of collecting 4,859 valid signatures for ballot line access, and although this final push will be critically important, our goal is within reach. Our small team of committed volunteers have been working harder than ever – new volunteers and additional donations always appreciated! – and the energy our campaign has received from our allies is encouraging. It is clear that people are tired of the corrupt corporation-controlled two-party system."

You may follow Theron Gilliland’s campaign here,
Campaign Email - [email protected] 

Website - https://www.TheronForAllegheny.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theron.for.allegheny

Twitter/"X" - https://x.com/TheronForACC

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theronforallegheny

BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/theronforallegheny.bsky.social

TikTok - tiktok.com/@theronforallegheny

Alexander Noyle for Election to Auditor of East Norriton Township
Montgomery County

Alex told GREEN STAR, “We are committed to bringing independent oversight and an ethical audit to East Norriton. Many of our neighbors agree: it just doesn't make sense to let the parties in power audit themselves. People here want real transparency and accountability, and that's exactly what our campaign is about. We represent the supermajority of Americans who want a new major party.”
Volunteers may email Alex at [email protected] or send him a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alex4Auditor  

Team Reports

Edited by Patrick O. McNally

The Green Party of Pennsylvania has four Action Teams.

Communication Team

Publicity is important for every political party. You may help the Green Party gain better name recognition if you send a draft of your thoughts to the ComTeam. What issues are important to you? How is your county Green Party mobilizing? When will you meet next month?  Please send your draft (500 to 1,000 words) via email to [email protected]

Please join the Communication Team right here.
www.gpofpa.org/team_communications_join

Finance Team

Would you like to help promote a more peaceful, sustainable, and equitable future through grassroots democracy? Then become a SUSTAINING MEMBER of the Green Party of Pennsylvania today. Head to our JOIN_US page to find your membership level and sign up today, https://www.gpofpa.org/join_us 

Please join the Finance Team right here.
https://www.gpofpa.org/team_finance_join

Green Wave Team

Congratulations to local Green candidates Michael Bagdes-Canning, Tony Dastra, Alex Noyle and Theron Gilliland Jr who have reported filing their ballot access signatures with their respective Boards of Elections in Butler, Lancaster, Montgomery and Allegheny Counties! If you would like to help the GreenWave Team recruit candidates for 2026, please join us today.

You may join the Green Wave Team right here.
www.gpofpa.org/team_greenwave_join

Core Team

Core has been working to ensure the combined Slack channel meets the needs of active Greens. If you are interested in becoming more active and joining in our Slack discussions, please contact the Core Team.

Please join the Core Team right here.
https://www.gpofpa.org/team_core_join

 ‌National ‌Green‌ ‌News

Edited by David Ochmanowicz Jr.

The Poll Results Are In

The Green Party of the United States said that the Republican Party has overturned 250 years of the Declaration of Independence, anointing Donald Trump as the new King by passing his draconian budget bill that sacrifices the well-being of average Americans to further enrich the very wealthy.  Republicans voted for the bill, despite the clear harm to their constituents, many after publicly stating their opposition to it... STORY HERE

Green Party Condemns Trump Budget Bill

The Green Party of the United States said that the Republican Party has overturned 250 years of the Declaration of Independence, anointing Donald Trump as the new King by passing his draconian budget bill that sacrifices the well-being of average Americans to further enrich the very wealthy.  Republicans voted for the bill, despite the clear harm to their constituents, many after publicly stating their opposition to it... STORY HERE

Video: Dump Duopoly – Power up for Peace

Medea Benjamin, Butch Ware, Briahna Joy Gray, and Jill Stein talk about seizing the moment for real electoral change.

WATCH HERE

Global Green News

Edited by Hal Brown

Czech Greens Sign Cooperative Protocol with Pirates

The two political parties presented a concrete plan to strengthen climate protection, stimulate the Czech economy, increase the incomes of 90% of families through tax cuts, and ensure affordable housing. Gabriela Svárovská, co-chair of the Greens, an expert on human rights, diplomacy and ecology...pointed out the need to change the state’s priorities and strengthen citizens’ trust, “Czech society is tired not only of inflation and bureaucracy, but also of the fact that fundamental decisions are often made according to the interests of a narrow group of the richest. We want a fair tax system and a functional state that does not privatize public services, but strengthens them – and with them the trust of citizens. Together with the Pirates, we offer a responsible, professional and democratic alternative, because we must stand up for the good future of the Czech Republic...” STORY HERE

Swedish Green Party Wants Safe Workplaces

Violence in intimate relationships is one of our most widespread social problems. According to the National Center for Women’s Peace, one in four women in Sweden has been subjected to violence in an intimate relationship. For many, the workplace is one of the few safe environments where there may be an opportunity to receive support – but only if the right routines are in place. Today, there is a lack of clear guidelines . . . for how managers, HR staff and colleagues can act in the event of suspicion of violence. The Green Party proposes in a motion to the regional council that region Skåne take greater responsibility in this matter – both to protect employees and to be a pioneer as an employer. STORY HERE

Belgium: Flemish Green Party “Flanders is becoming a concrete desert.”

Flemish faction leader Mieke Schauvliege (Green): “What the Flemish government is actually doing is abdicating its responsibility and leaving local authorities to their fate. Local authorities can certainly play a role in creating more forest, but they cannot do this all by themselves . . . . Flanders is gradually becoming a concrete desert, far too many trees are still being cut down and too few trees are being planted. Flemish people have the right to more forest, to play in, to walk in and to cool down on hot days. Who doesn’t like to go for a walk in a forest nearby?” STORY HERE

GPPA Meeting Dates for 2025

GPPA State Committee Meetings
Saturday, September 13, at 2:00 pm hybrid in Harrisburg
Sunday, November 9 at noon

GPPA Communications Team
Issue Credits

Editors: Hal Brown, Patrick O. McNally, David Ochmanowicz, Jr. and Chris Robinson

Contributors: Michael Bagdes-Canning, Tony Dastra, Theron Gilliland Jr, Barbara Laxon, Jon Lessner, Alex Noyle, Chris Robinson and Beverly Rolfsmeyer

Layout: Hal Brown, Sherri Miller, and David Ochmanowicz Jr.

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.

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.  

 The GREEN STAR is an official publication of the Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team * 2025.

Green Party of Pennsylvania
https://www.gpofpa.org/