September 2021

Working toward a future where people and planet are valued, and our government represents all of us.

There is a Cure for the Covid-19 Blues  

by GPPA Co-chair Tina Olson

Across Pennsylvania, this time of year begins a season for parents and teachers preparing for opening schools; dusting off iPads, lacing up new sneakers, and fulfilling the wishes of those toothless first-grader grins and whims. This year is the second year parents are faced with the uncertainty of COVID variants and supply lists for class requirements that can be economically overwhelming in this unprecedented time of scrimping and scraping. The online parent-portals are open, the animal crackers are packed, but the uncertainty of COVID variants looms over each of us as we prepare for the worst. We may be masked, but our common stressors are not hiding, our familiar struggles can not be sanitized.

“I’m gonna raise a fuss, I’m gonna raise a holler…”

What begs to be questioned is how do we go into this school year while the inequality of our different school districts continues to fail struggling families, but more importantly fails to recognize that in higher populated schools, the grim reality is overall unequal. Families with the means to adorn their kids with designer toddler-wear set a precedence of privilege that perpetuates the distinction of class struggle. Kids from rich school districts don’t worry like the kids attending schools that barely keep the lights on and their lunch trays full.

It should come as no surprise that the bigger the school district the more likely parents feel they have no control. Enormous school districts like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh can’t compete with school districts like Radnor, which are 70% white and naturally have smaller schools with more individual attention. We know that many variables contribute to whether or not a student thrives, yet society fails to reflect the solutions in its misguided votes. . . .

As an alternative, the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) calls for fully-funded schools at a hyper-local level. We believe that schools should remain democratic without the influence of private enterprise. What this means for the Age of COVID, is the increase of power over those who would rather choose to be reckless with our children’s lives versus staying vigilant in the fight for better days during a continuing global pandemic. . . . (show all)

GPPA News Highlights   

  edited by Chris Robinson 

Henry Conoly, Green for Congress, PA District 1, says, “End war and welcome refugees”

“For 40 plus years, direct and indirect military action in Afghanistan has led to a destabilization of a country which once valued and respected human rights and liberties. The U.S. funding of and training of the Mujahideen, later known as the Taliban, created a situation where the need to care for refugees and victims of our military occupation would be inevitable. Our withdrawal from Afghanistan was long overdue and should have been done 20 years ago. It is now the responsibility of the United States to provide safe refuge for all people seeking to flee Afghanistan. Providing a place of safety to those who are the victims of the destabilization of Afghanistan is not a partisan issue, it is a humanitarian issue. . . .

“This situation should also prove to us why we must end all U.S. foreign combat, close foreign bases and bring troops and U.S. military equipment back to the United States. My campaign for the U.S. House in PA District One is committed to working to make these needed actions a reality. . . .” (show all)

Capital Area Greens Hold Virtual Meeting

Capital Area Greens held a virtual meeting on August 15. The original plan was for an in-person meeting in Harrisburg. That meeting place, however, was no longer available due to Covid. Seven people attended from Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. Vacancy elections were discussed. One member intends to pursue the nomination for Harrisburg School Director. They plan to reach out to a Green who had expressed interest in nomination for School Director in Central Dauphin Region 3.

Group discussion on recent happenings at School Board meetings. Group discussion on upcoming tabling opportunities at county fairs, Lancaster Pride Fest (10/24), and a fundraiser with local businesses.

Green Party Calls for PA Election Reform

by Garret Wassermann, Co-chair of Green Party of the U.S.

Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Republican Party proposed changes to the state’s 1938 Election Code. The bill, HB 1300, was ultimately vetoed by Governor Tom Wolf in June. However, Pennsylvania’s decades-old election code does need serious analysis and change, especially in light of lessons learned in 2020 while trying to hold elections during a global pandemic. The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) had previously submitted some ideas to the public, and I would like to revisit and expand on those ideas.

Some of the reforms Greens called for in 2019, such as voter-verifiable paper ballots, were actually implemented last year. Of course, the state only adopted paper ballots after a lawsuit brought by Jill Stein, the 2016 Green Party presidential nominee, and several GPPA members. In the final settlement with Stein, PA agreed to adopt paper ballots in 2020 and have full vote auditing measures in place by 2022. While that was an important win for election integrity and transparency, many other changes are still needed to create a more representative electoral system and ensure truly free and fair election

The Green Party calls on elected officials of all levels of government to adopt the following [five] policies for municipal, state, and federal elections. . . . (show all)

Green Party of Allegheny County Protests with Don’t Bank the Bomb

Members of GPOAC and the Party for Socialism and Liberation demonstrated on August 6 outside the Tower at PNC Plaza in Pittsburgh. The activists at this Hiroshima Day event demanded that PNC Bank sell off loans, investments, and bond issuances to nuclear arms producers and make a binding commitment never to invest in weapons of mass destruction.

Campaign Updates   

  edited by Chris Robinson  

GENERAL ELECTION, November 2

The following Green Party candidates have submitted their nomination papers on or prior to the deadline and have not been challenged. Therefore, their names will appear on the 2021 General Election ballot.

Ward Allebach, Bradford Woods Borough Council, Allegheny County

Ward told GREEN STAR, “I’ve been volunteering with the Bradford Woods Conservancy to make my community a better place since I moved to Bradford Woods 15 years ago. Running for Council seems like the next best step to continue this work.”

Lorianne Burgess, Mayor, Ambridge Borough, Beaver County

Lorianne told GREEN STAR, “It’s official!!! I’ll be on the fall ballot!!” Follow Lorianne here: https://www.facebook.com/Lorianne4Mayor/

Connor Mulvaney for Pittsburgh City Council District 4

Connor told GREEN STAR, “By gathering enough signatures to completely discourage a challenge from the Democratic establishment, people in District 4 have shown that they want a real choice in November. Now we can dig in with our neighbors and outwork an incumbent who thinks elections can be bought and sold. I’m really excited to keep listening to my neighbors and keep building our movement for change in Pittsburgh City Council!" Volunteer opportunities are available by signing up at: https://www.connor4pgh.com/donate 

Follow Connor’s campaign on:

Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/connorforpgh

Twitter; https://twitter.com/ConnorMulvaney

Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/connorforcouncil/.

Kearni Warren, Chester City Council, Delaware County

Kearni told GREEN STAR, “It’s done! I gave it my all and did my ultimate best in a short amount of time. I am extremely grateful for the support I received along the way. Today is one of my proudest moments. The first step of getting on the ballot started entirely from the bottom. I walked in the wilderness with this assignment. My team and I accomplished much more than I imagined in such a short span of time. We are officially on the ballot, and I’m ready to move forward with my official campaign.” Follow Kearni here:  https://www.facebook.com/kearniwarrenforchester

More 2021 Green Party Candidates

• Steven Martinez, Dormont Borough Council, Allegheny County
• Matthew Reitenauer, Brandywine Heights School Board, Berks County
• Jay Sweeney for Auditor, Falls Township, Wyoming County
• Jay T. Walker, Judge of Elections Ward 7, District 6, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
• Abigail “Abi” Hunter, Judge of Elections Ward 7, District 8, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
• Andrew Moses Yanez Oliva , Judge of Elections , Ward 15, District 6, City of Reading, Berks County

Team Updates 

  edited by Henry Conoly

Finance Team by Tre Schumacher.

The Finance Team manages GPPA’s merchandise and budget and communicates with the Steering Committee and particularly the Treasurer to provide financial information and advice and facilitate compliance with the FEC. Our current goals include fundraisers for the GPPA, maintaining monthly sustainers, encouraging our locals to obtain one new sustaining donor each month, and supporting one targeted-issue fundraiser. To inquire about volunteering please sign up HERE.

Communications Team by Chris Robinson

The ComTeam is enrolling new writers who want to learn how to write a news release. Avoid the pressure of trial-and-error. We can help. If you would like to join our team, please visit, To join our team, please volunteer: HERE.

National Green News   

  edited by Noah Alter

Green Party of Virginia opposes Del-Mar fracked gas pipeline

The Green Party of Virginia stands in solidarity with the Green Party of Maryland, who are standing firm against the construction of the Del-Mar Pipeline, which is located along the Delmarva Peninsula, shared by the State of Delaware, Virginia, and Maryland. The Green Party of Maryland is making a stand as the continual construction of these pipelines further enables the oil and gas industries rather than encouraging the much needed transition away from dirty, outdated fossil fuels. Additionally, they are extremely concerned with the environmental damage, which is imminent on the Eastern Shore. (show all)

Green Party of Florida "Bridges of Love" End the Embargo Solidarity Event

Last month, the Puentes Del Amor (Bridges of Love) completed their march from Miami to Washington, DC, a protest to yet another failed campaign promise of the Biden administration. Those of the Puentes Del Amor march demand that President Biden fulfil one of his many campaign promises to rescind the hundreds of sanctions imposed upon Cuba and various individuals from across Havana and the rest of the Republic of Cuba by the Trump administration. The removal of said sanctions would further encourage a potential normalization of international relations with our southern neighbor, just 90 miles south of Key West, FL. The Green Party of Florida held a virtual event to stand in solidarity with the march as they arrived at Lafayette Square, across from the White House in Washington, DC. (show all)

Global Green News   

  edited by Hal Brown

German Greens Reveal Their Historic Environmental Plan

The Green Party of Germany [has] stayed true to its word and set the forefront of their campaign as the importance of climate and environmental policies. Running on behalf of the Green Party of Germany for the chancellery elections . . . Annalena Baerbock has proposed that these new policies and measures could be paid for through the revenue generated from carbon taxes or a loosening of Germany’s debt rules. However, the Union Block . . . candidate Armin Laschet has ruled these options out. According to Baerbock, . . . Armin Laschet . . . “is a threat not just to the security of the people in our country but also to Germany as a location for industry.” (show all)

Nicola Sturgeon on the Verge of Collaboration with Scottish Greens

The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, is preparing to sign a deal with the Scottish Greens that would establish a pro-independence majority at Holyrood and may see the Greens taking ministerial seats. Sturgeon has opened formal talks with the Scottish Greens on a cooperation deal in government. The First Minister said the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Scottish Greens should come together to jointly write policies on the climate crisis and shift to net zero emission. In return, Greens will vote to back her spending plans and legislation. This deal would allow the First Minister to present a strong pro-climate agenda ahead of COP26 and outvote anti-independence parties in Holyrood. Sturgeon currently leads a minority government after the SNP won 64 of Holyrood’s 129 seats. The pro-independence Greens currently hold seven seats. The two parties appear to agree on nearly all policy discussions around issues such as spending, climate change, transport and local government. (show all)

Green Party of Canada reacts to United Nations IPCC report on Climate Change

On August 6, the United Nations’ (UN) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its sixth assessment report titled “AR6 Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis.” AR6 delivered a scathing report of what human activities have done to change our climate for the worse since pre-industrial times (1850-1900). . . . It will come as no surprise that the Green Party of Canada reacted very strongly to the findings of the IPCC’s AR6. Annamie Paul, Federal Green Party Leader, reacted on Twitter sounding off on the “unequivocal” findings. Paul however tried to garner hope by saying, “We must not let our sadness paralyze us into inaction.” Paul went on to say the report’s findings should “strengthen our resolve” to fight climate change in the same way we came together to fight the pandemic as Canadians. She ended the statement by saying “let’s combine this spirit with political will to turn Canada into a global leader on the climate.” (show all)

GPPA Meeting Dates for 2021:

2021 Meetings will be held the second Sundays of: January, March, June, September, November. All State Web Conferences will be 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. The September 2021 State Committee of the Green Party of Pennsylvania will now be an online web conference held on Zoom. The meeting will be held between 12pm and 4pm. Please RSVP to receive the log-in information. You can now register for the September meeting HERE.

• Saturday, September 18, 2021
• Sunday, November 14, 2021

Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team & Media Committee 

Issue Credits:

EDITORS: Noah Alter, Hal Brown, Henry Conoly and Chris Robinson. 
CONTRIBUTORS: Ward Allebach, Lorianne Burgess, Henry Conoly, Connor Mulvaney, Tina Olson, Chris Robinson, Tre Shumacher, Kearni Warren and Garret Wassermann
LAYOUT: Tina Olson & Sheri Miller 
GRAPHIC ARTS: Kevin Richardson 

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The Green Star is an official publication of the Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team * 2021