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September 2020
Working
toward a future where people and planet are valued, and our government
represents all of us.
Green Party Members and Friends,
On August 3, the Green Party of
Pennsylvania (GPPA, http://www.gpofpa.org) delivered 710 nominating
papers for our state-slate of 2020 candidates to the PA Board of
Elections. They included more than 8,000 signatures from PA voters.
Unfortunately, the papers have been challenged, and we are going to be
headed back to court in order to defend your demand for more inclusive
and representative elections.
This challenge was made by the same
counsel who defended the PA Democratic Party (PADEMs) during our
earlier plea to the Commonwealth asking for relief of signature
requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor's
restrictive orders on social gatherings. In the earlier case, the
PADEMs argued that the Green Party did not have support and therefore
shouldn't be given relief. Now, despite extreme difficulty, you have
demonstrated a great level of support, yet the PADEMs intend to
dismantle your hard work.
We need your help and donations to prepare our legal
defense.
Legal challenges are costly, which
is why we are once again asking for your financial support.
However, you can greatly reduce the costs of this challenge by volunteering to review and validate the challenged
signatures. The majority of the challenging work is arguing the
validity of each and every signature submitted in our papers. You can
be part of our team and work directly with our legal counsel to defend
your candidates.
Click here to Volunteer.
This challenge is much bigger than
the top ticket! The PADEMs are going after the whole state-wide slate
which means they are trying to prevent the Green Party from obtaining
minor party status in PA. State-wide elections are the only way
permissible for an emerging party to obtain recognition by the
Commonwealth as a minor political party. What we do now directly
affects our campaigns for next year and after.
Please take action now! Sign up to
volunteer, donate, and share this information that help is needed. It
is up to your generous support and the power of an organized Green
Party to ensure a free and fair election in November.
From Sheri Miller, Alan Smith and
the GREEN STAR Staff.
GPPA
News Highlights
edited by Chris Robinson
The Great Green Clean-Up!
 The Lackawanna County Greens are proud participants of
PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway and The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail’s
Adopt-A-Trail programs! When you think of a fun, socially distant,
activity to do, cleaning up trash probably isn’t an immediate idea,
but don’t knock it until you try it! Since meeting as a group is not
in the best interest of public health, we decided to try something new
and make a contest of who can clean up the most trash! First Place
prize is a $50 Visa card, Second Place prize is a $25 Adezzo gift
certificate, and Third Place will receive a $10 gift certificate to
Zummo's. In order to participate in the Great Green Clean-Up, you must
sign a waiver from PennDOT. Email us, and we will send you the waiver,
[email protected] (show all)
PA Green Party Will Not be Silenced by Democrat
 The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, http://www.gpofpa.org/) received information that
its four statewide candidates were legally challenged by the
Democratic Party of PA on Monday, August 10. GPPA Co-chair Sheri
Miller (Adams County) said, “This challenge comes barely a month after
lawyers for the Democratic Party argued in federal court that the
Green Party was not entitled to ballot access relief during COVID-19.
Instead, they demanded that Greens carry out typical petitioning even
during a global pandemic, putting Green volunteers at risk of catching
the deadly disease. This new attack challenging the Green Party's
successful petitioning, despite the barriers imposed, is yet another
attempt to remove any non-corporate-backed competitors from the ballot
and to limit voters’ choices to the duopoly.” (show all)
PA Greens Oppose Trump’s Repression of Dissent
 In a July news release, GPPA said, “Like usual, Trump blamed
the Democrats for the civil unrest, and the Democrats blame Trump and
the Republicans. . . . The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA,
www.gpofpa.org) considers Trump’s actions a dangerous step toward
authoritarianism. Leaders of the party condemned both the president’s
words and his actions. GPPA Secretary Beth Scroggin of Chester County
said, “We all must stand in opposition to Donald Trump's words and
actions against peaceful protesters. If we do not speak out against
the federal agents abusing and abducting those who are standing up for
their rights and the rights of others, there will be no one left to
stand for us." (show all)
Campaign Updates
edited by Chris Robinson
Jay Ting Walker for PA
Representative, District 23
Jay
told GREEN STAR, "We submitted 1,000 nomination signatures (more than
twice the amount needed) to secure our spot on the ballot. We've had
more than 30 volunteers and have already raised thousands of dollars.
Our experience talking to residents has made it extremely clear that
District 23 is strongly opposed to fracking. If the incumbent doesn't
start speaking on the issue, he'll find himself out of a job in
November. Climate change is bearing down on us, and we can't wait any
longer for decisive action. The PA legislature on both sides of the
aisle is captured by extractive industries, but the tide is turning
rapidly as climate impacts grow.” Follow Jay’s campaign on Facebook,
https://www.facebook.com/JayTingWalker;
Twitter, https://twitter.com/Jaytingwalker;
or Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/jaytingwalker/.
Donations and volunteers from across the state are more than welcome
on my website, http://jaytingwalker.com/.
Garret Wassermann for PA
Representative, District 45
Garret told GREEN STAR, “Thank you to all the
volunteers who helped with my campaign. While unfortunately, we only
collected about half the signatures necessary to get me on the ballot,
we met voters, got the word out, and helped get statewide Green Party
candidates on the ballot. I am planning to continue as a write-in
candidate this fall, because the stakes are so high with the poor
pandemic response, growing housing crisis, increasing likelihood of a
major economic crisis, and of course the ever-present spectres of war
and climate change. Residents of District 45 deserve a choice, and I
will at least give them a choice to write in. I am also hopeful that
this write-in campaign will help in organizing a permanent Green Party
presence in the district so we can run more candidates in future
years. For now, we're looking at postcards and signs to help get the
message out before voters start receiving mail-in ballots.” You can
learn more about Garret’s campaign or donate at http://www.votegarret.org/.
Garret’s Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/VoteGarret/.
Michael Bagdes-Canning for
PA Representative, District 64
Michael told GREEN STAR, “I am excited to be on
the ballot. I am running for Pennsylvania House of Representatives
because, for the 38 years I’ve lived in PA 64, I’ve watched our
elected officials sit by and do nothing as we hemorrhaged jobs and
young people. The incumbent, R. Lee James, has time and again thrown
working families under the bus when it served the needs of his
multinational corporate backers. Come November, we intend to win this
election and fight for working people in Harrisburg!” You can follow
Michael on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/mike4pa64/;
Twitter, https://mobile.twitter.com/bagdescanning;
Facebook, https://m.facebook.com/mikebagdescanning;
and his website, https://www.mikeforpa64.com/.
Noel Antonio Rivera for PA
Representative, District 127
Noel
told GREEN STAR, “Our communities are torn apart and must be reunited.
As a Green I intend to serve not only greens, but all constituents in
my district, no matter their party affiliation. District 127 is
currently in the planning stages of rebuilding the community and the
local economy. I am very passionate about both efforts and would be
honored to participate in such efforts as well as offering my own
suggestions and opinions, like building an ecodistrict in the area. I
encourage anyone to reach out to me directly with any questions or
concerns.” Noel’s Facebook is, https://www.facebook.com/riveraforpa/.
He can be reached at [email protected].
Three State-wide Green Party
Candidates, https://www.greenslate2020.org/
Richard L. Weiss, Esq. for
PA Attorney General
Richard told
GREEN STAR, “My top three priorities as Attorney General will be: 1.
Save the taxpayers money by reducing prison population by 50%. Only
those who are actually a threat to the community should be
incarcerated. Prosecutorial resources can then be directed to
addressing violent crime, combating corruption and consumer
protection. 2. Reform the system of policing. Citizen Review Boards
are only a start. Community and police must establish standards of
conduct and special prosecutors for police misconduct. 3. Promote
restorative justice.”
Tim Runkle for PA
Treasurer
Pleased follow Tim on Facebook,https://www.facebook.com/Tim4ElectedOffice/
Olivia Faison for PA Auditor
General.
Team
Updates
Finance Team
by Tim Runkle
 If you are interested in
helping, sign up HERE.
GreenWave
Team by Garret Wassermann
 The Green Wave team thanks all
of the volunteers and organizers who worked hard over the last few
weeks of July to get our full slate of Green Party candidates onto the
ballot. Greens filed more than 8500 voter signatures on over 700 pages
of petitions when only 5000 signatures were required. Our team is now
moving to defend those candidates from a Democratic Party challenge to
our petitions, and Green Wave will be preparing for 2021 local
elections. Please join us at our next meeting or the Greenwave channel
on the GPPA Slack.
To join the Green Wave Team and get
invited to future organizing calls, please visit HERE to receive call info or email for
more information!
Communications
Team by Chris Robinson
 Our social media is
on a roll. Facebook members up 17 percent, and Twitter followers up 16
percent. If you would like to join our team, please volunteer here.
at https://www.gpofpa.org/, or to join online,
sign up HERE.
Core Team by
Charles Sherrouse
 If you are interested in
helping, sign up HERE.
edited by Dave Ochmanowicz
Please volunteer to edit this page for future issues
of GREEN STAR. Instruction is available. https://www.gpofpa.org/team_communications_join!
Green Party Ballot Access struggles from around the
Country
Releases from Greens around the Country, accumulated by GPUS
Media Team, summarizing the struggles for ballot access in the time of
covid our locals are struggling with. (show all)
Green Party candidates will appear on Maryland ballots in
November
Maryland voters will have more options this November – and
Democrats will face a little more competition – after the Maryland Green Party’s petition for ballot access
won state approval today. Their names now appear on the Maryland State
Board of Elections 2020 General Election Candidate’s List. (show all)
edited by Hal
Brown
Slaying enemies of equal rights and justice – an interview with
Cleo Lake Chris Jarvis 2 August 2020
When Bristol’s former lord mayor Cleo Lake entered the Green
Party of England and Wales deputy leadership election, it appeared
that the incumbent – Amelia Womack – faced a serious challenger.
Politicians with national name recognition are hard to come by in the
Green Party. But thanks – for the most part – to her work addressing
Bristol’s legacy with slavery, Lake is among the few who do have that
profile.(show all)
Brazilian Green Party denounces Brazilian State in
international court for crimes against
humanityGlobal Greens Posted August 11, 2020
On Monday (10 August 2020), the Green Party protocol a
complaint against the Brazilian State for Crime Against Humanity at
the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of
American States - OAS. Among the accusations, Brazilian Greens affirms
that the neglect of the federal government, which has already claimed
the lives of 100,000 Brazilians, demonstrates the clear non-compliance
with articles of the pact of the American Convention on Human Rights
(San José Pact). (show all)
We Stand in Solidarity for Democracy: a Global Greens statement
Global Greens Posted 17 August, 2020
Democracy is a core value of Green politics. The Global
Greens stands in solidarity with all people who seek to attain and
preserve the fundamental human rights which are ingrained in
democracy. We are living at a pivotal moment globally: (show all)
German Green party youth wants to 'replace'
police
The German Green party's youth organization, the Grüne
Jugend, has defied the party leadership's line by calling for a
radical reduction of the powers of state security forces, according to
a newspaper report. The Grüne Jugend wants to "gradually eliminate
state force as a means to resolve conflicts and replace it with
prevention and cooperation," according to a policy paper seen by the
taz newspaper.(show all)
edited by Chris
Robinson
Green Party
events are in GREEN. Other
Movement events are in RED.
September 1, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny
County Virtual General Assembly
Zoom contact and
more information from:
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/819359051856175
September 5, 12, 19, 26, 10:30 am
Noel Rivera for PA House
District 127 Meeting of volunteers at Franklyn's
Breakfast, Burgers, & Shakes, 1007 Penn Street, Reading. More
information from:
[email protected]
September 5, 12, 19, 26, noon
Bell-tolling & Shout-out
for Justice
Germantown Avenue at Schoolhouse Lane,
Philadelphia, PA
Sponsored by Brandywine Peace Community
More
information from:
[email protected]
September 5, 5:00 pm
Demand Trump/Pence Out
Now!
Independence Mall, Sixth and Market Streets,
Philadelphia.
National Day of Action, Posted by Refuse Fascism
Philly
More information from: https://www.facebook.com/events/398478737794787
September 5, 3:00 pm
Kipona Labor Day
Celebration
City Island, Harrisburg. Live music,
15 food trucks, free parking
Be Seen Being Green!
More
information from: http://harrisburgpa.gov/kipona/
September 10, 5:30 pm
Green Party of Berks County
Meeting
Franklyn's Breakfast, Burgers, &
Shakes, 1007 Penn Street, Reading.
More information from: [email protected]
September 13, noon
GPPA Virtual Conference
Everyone is welcome. Please register in advance to receive ZOOM
contact information
More information from:
https://www.gpofpa.org/2020_09_conf.
September 14, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Lackawanna
County Meeting
More information from: [email protected]
September 21
International Day of Peace
More information from: https://internationaldayofpeace.org/
September 21, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Montgomery
County Virtual Meeting
More information from: [email protected]
September 22, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Philadelphia
(GPOP) Virtual Meeting
More information from:
[email protected]
September 24, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Berks County
Virtual Meeting
for login information text
610-207-0219
More information from: [email protected]
September 28
Week of Demonstrations for Medicaid
Sponsored by Put People First. Endorsed by Green Party
of Allegheny County.
More information from:
https://www.putpeoplefirstpa.org/save-the-date-medicaid-marches-week-of-9-28/
September 27, 1:30 pm
Green Party of Chester County
Virtual Meeting
More information from: [email protected]
October 6, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County Virtual
General Assembly
More information from: [email protected]
GPPA Meeting Dates for 2020:
- September (virtual) -
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, Dave Ochmanowicz & Hal Brown
CONTRIBUTORS: Justin Bell, Hal Brown,
David Ochmanowicz, Shane Rielly, Chris Robinson, Tim Runkle &
Garret Wassermann
LAYOUT: 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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