Current News and Events

PRESS RELEASE: Green Party of Michigan calls for release of Cynthia McKinney

Green Party of Michigan
www.MIGreens.org

News Release
July 3, 2009


For More Information, Contact

Derek Grigsby, Chair/Detroit Green Party
dereknjck@yahoo.com
313-706-2985

John Anthony La Pietra, Media Cmte/GPMI
jalp@triton.net
269-781-9478

Green Party of Michigan calls for release of Cynthia McKinney
Boat containing humanitarian aid for Gaza boarded and detained by Israeli gunboats


Michigan and Detroit Green Party leaders are calling on the White House and US State Department to intervene and demand the immediate release of 21 human rights activists, including former US Rep. Cynthia McKinney and Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire, who were taken prisoner by the Israeli navy after gunboats surrounded and seized the Free Gaza Movement relief boat 'Spirit of Humanity' on Monday.

"This is an outrageous violation of international law against us. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip," said Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party's 2008 candidate for President of the United States. "President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that's exactly what we tried to do. We're asking the international community to demand our release so we can resume our journey."

Detroit Greens call on former colleagues of Cynthia McKinney in the Black Congressional Caucus, Representatives John Conyers and Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick, to join in demanding the immediate release of Rep. McKinney and her fellow activists. "We as Detroiters recognize that we are all fighting together to stop the insanity of war and economic crisis," said Derek Grigsby, chair of the Detroit Green Party. "Too many of us are out of work, out of our homes, and out of food. The Palestinians are our sisters and brothers. The silence of our leaders in the face of the courage of Rep. McKinney and the Spirit of Humanity is complicity in their arrest, just as their lack of action for our needs, is complicity in our oppression."

Read Cynthia McKinney's latest statement here: http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=232


Ms. McKinney had earlier sent appeals to President Obama and the State Department for assurances of protection for the relief mission. The Spirit of Humanity was sailing in international waters when it was seized. Greens stressed that the relief boat represents no threat to Israel and must be allowed to continue its voyage to Gaza.

For more information and updates, see the Free Gaza Movement web site (http://www.freegaza.org), including the latest release on the seizure of the relief boat (http://www.freegaza.org/en/home/hope-fleet-news).

For communications and updates from Cynthia McKinney, visit her Green Party page (http://www.gp.org/cynthia/index .php) and blog (http://dignity.ning.com).

The Spirit of Humanity was carrying medical supplies, cement, olive trees, and children's toys to Gaza after the Israeli invasion in December and January damaged or destroyed 50,000 homes, 800 industrial properties, 200 schools, 39 mosques, and two churches. The supplies were confiscated by the Israeli navy.

The Green Party of the United States condemned the invasion and massacre of Palestinians and has endorsed the call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel until the Israeli government guarantees full human rights, including political rights and democracy, for all Palestinians and non-Jewish Israelis.


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Press Release in PDF

GPMI Chair Fred Vitale's Opening Remarks at March '09 State Membership Meeting

Good morning everyone and welcome to the 1st quarterly state membership meeting of the Green party of Michigan for 2009.

I am Fred Vitale and I am one of the chairpersons of the Green party of Michigan. I want to acknowledge my honorary co-chair, the Reverend Edward Pinkney, veteran fighter for social justice in Benton Harbor and our candidate for Congress in the 6th District. I also want to thank my fellow officers for their work for the Green Party in the last year. Please stand, state your name and office.

Over the past year we have seen extraordinary events in the world. We have seen an unprecedented presidential campaign. We saw the election of the first African-American president in Barack Obama. We witness the largest and most tumultuous economic crisis of our lives. The world has changed deeply and profoundly over the past year. Before we deal with these events, I want to review a little what has happened with the Green Party.

2008 was a turning point for the Green Party.

Read the rest here.

Green Party of Michigan Response to Governor's State of the State 2009 Part 1

Green Party of Michigan Response to Gonvernor's State of the State 2009 Part 2

Letter to friends and supporters from GPMI Chair

Dear friends and supporters of the Green Party of Michigan,

As our state unemployment level hits 10.6% and the world economy is in tatters, the Green Party is meeting March 28-29 at the Upland Hills Ecological Awareness Center in Oakland County (www.uheac.org). We will be discussing and planning what to do in response to this unprecedented crisis.

As our friends and collaborators, we value your input and we need it if we are going to go forward in common and united struggle.

We are asking you to submit in whatever format you like - written, oral, youtube - your thoughts and proposals for what the Green Party should do and say in response to this crisis.

You are also invited to participate in the discussion Saturday afternoon, March 28. More details will be forthcoming.

In solidarity,

Fred Vitale
State Chairperson
Green Party of Michigan

GP VIDEO RELEASE First 100 Days: What a GREEN administration would look like

Green Party celebrates Inauguration Day with a look at what the 'First 100 Days' of a Green presidential administration would look like

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Monday, January 19, 2009

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org

Video clips and short essays from Green Party leaders and candidates: http://www.gp.org/first100


WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party has asked Green leaders from all over the US to tell America what a Green President of the United States would do during the 'First 100 Days' of his or her administration.

Green candidates and members of the Green Party's Speakers Bureau (http://www.gp.org/speakers) submitted video clips and short essays to describe what actions Greens would take do if elected to the White House and what Green steps President Obama should take to resolve the nation's problems.

"This is our Inauguration Day gift to Barack Obama and to America. We celebrate the landmark election of America's first African American president, but we're worried that Barack Obama will retreat from his promises of change, especially given some of his Cabinet appointments. That's why we've collected these recommendations from prominent Green Party members -- to support vital change," said Sanda Everett, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States.

Readers and viewers are encouraged to post their comments in responses to the videos and essays. More 'First 100 Days' videos and essays will be added to the site in the coming weeks.

FIRST 100 DAYS of a Green Presidential Administration
http://www.gp.org/first100/

VIDEO CLIPS

Cynthia McKinney, 2008 Green candidate for President of the United States
Palestine, Israel, and Ms. McKinney's recent trip on a relief boat destined for Gaza
http://www.gp.org/first100/?p=93
http://www.vimeo.com/2861110

This clip is also posted on the Green Party's home page, http://www.gp.org
See also 'Cynthia McKinney on Gaza': http://www.gp.org/cynthia/index.shtml

Pete Van, Jr., 2006 Green Party Candidate for the Michigan State House of Representatives/District 88 (Allegan County)
The Economy: The First 100 Days of my administration, will leave many people green with envy
http://www.gp.org/first100/?p=4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3-GAYaP8PM

Laura Wells, 2002 and 2006 Green Party candidate for State Controller, California
To understand what is happening in Washington, follow the money
http://www.gp.org/first100/?p=22
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=batTYrLqsqw

SHORT ESSAYS

Brian Czech, Ph.D. ecologist and Certified Wildlife Biologist; President, Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy
The First Hundred Days: A Precedent for the Next Hundred Years
http://www.gp.org/first100/?p=12

Morgen D'Arc, Co-Founder, Co-Spokesperson and Former Co-Chair, National Women's Caucus; Chair, Cumberland (Maine) County Green Party; 2002 Candidate for Cumberland County Register of Deeds
Women: Rights, Issues and Conditions. A Breakthrough Agenda
http://www.gp.org/first100/?p=101

Kathy Dopp, M.S. Mathematics, Executive Director, National Election Data Archive, Utah
Establish Public Oversight over Election Integrity
http://www.gp.org/first100/?p=17

Ron Forthofer, 2002 Green Party candidate for Governor of Colorado, 2000 candidate for Congress, Colorado
Peace in the Middle East
http://www.gp.org/first100/?p=9

Deeana Taylor, Co-Coordinator, Desert Greens Green Party of Utah, 2006 Green Party candidate for Salt Lake County Council
Single Payer Health Care
http://www.gp.org/first100/?p=48


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193

Tally of Green election victories http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html
Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php
Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information: http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers
Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections


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GPMI Press Release on Gaza Bombings

Press Release
Green Party of Michigan
December 30, 2008

For more information: contact Fred Vitale, state chairperson, at 313-580-4905 or chair@migreens.org

Green Party leaders condemn Israeli bombings; support call for boycott of Israel

Green Party leaders in Michigan condemned the brutal air strikes and military assaults by Israel on unarmed civilians in Gaza and called for a boycott of Israel.

The Israeli blockade of Gaza, erected in 2006 after the democratic election of Hamas, was an act of war. As a result of the blockade, 80% of Gazans live on less than two dollars a day, unemployment hovers at 50-60%, with only 195 factories, reduced from 3,900 in 2005. Israel has barred the delivery of UN relief to Gazans.

In spite of this near strangulation of their society, the people of Gaza agreed to a ceasefire with Israel. Now, Israel drops dozens of bombs on students and children, killing over 300 people and wounding 1,750. And this pogrom isn't over yet.

Derek Grigsby, chair of the Detroit Green Party and candidate for Michigan House of Representatives, 7th district, said: "We demand that the Bush administration stop using the state of Israel as a terrorist force against the people of the Middle East and use the money being given to them for basic necessities here at home, like healthcare and education."

He continued: "We call on all of our elected leaders to stand up for justice and human rights and roundly condemn the murderous aggression committed by Israel on the Palestinians."

Margaret Guttshall, candidate for Wayne State Board of Governors, said, "When I was a student at Wayne State, we organized and convinced the Student Council to support divestment from Israel. Now it is time to implement divestment as well as academic sanctions against Israel, just as we did against the apartheid regime of South Africa."

"We want all military and economic aid from the U.S. to Israel stopped immediately," said Fred Vitale, state chairperson and candidate for Michigan House of Representatives from the 3rd district. "We support, among other actions, the calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel and for an academic and cultural boycott of Israel -- until it ceases to deny Palestinian history, ends the Occupation, ceases discrimination against Palestinian citizens of Israel, and permits displaced Palestinian refugees to return to their homes," Vitale concluded.

For more information:

www.gpus.org

www.migreens.org

www.electronicintifada.net for information on the call for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel

Green Party of Michigan opposes auto bailout -- Not one job saved, not one community protected

Statement of Fred Vitale, Chairperson, Green Party of Michigan

The Green Party of Michigan strenuously opposes the $17.4 billion bailout for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.

The agreement by the Bush administration to use a small part of the $700 billion already promised to Wall Street bankers is no victory for working people in Michigan.

The loans support the failed policies of the current corporate leaderships. Not only have they systematically pressured the union to reduce the living standards, but they have undermined the construction of mass transportation, fought laws to reduce pollution, and refused to build ecologically friendly automobiles.

GM, Chrysler and Ford are not democratic institutions. Product choices and policy were and are made by boards of directors and top executives. Why are the workers and communities punished for decisions that weren't theirs?

The struggles of UAW members have won some measure of racial equality in the factories; production workers developed political strength and clout; they fought for and won a high standard of living for production workers which provided the foundations for all workers, including salaried professionals, to have higher wages throughout the North. All these gains are gravely threatened.

The auto bailout now puts the full weight of the central government behind the wealthy owners and bankers, who, as exhibited by the bloodthirsty howls of the southern senators, want to reverse the gains of the UAW, to turn back into profits a large part of the workers' wages and benefits and, in that process, tear apart families, crush hopes, terrorize communities.

There are other, alternative solutions to the crises facing auto workers and their communities.

GM, Chrysler and Ford facilities should be nationalized with their assets controlled locally and democratically by workers and communities. Workers and affected communities need decisive control over what happens to jobs, to work at the factories, and the factory equipment.

Previously granted municipal and state tax abatement agreements to keep factories and jobs, as well as other local agreements, must be vigorously enforced.

Michigan needs a real safety net for its residents. Michigan has been in this recession longer than most states. We need to guarantee all residents a livable income. We need a moratorium on all foreclosures and utility cutoffs; unemployment benefits should be paid as long as there is a recession. Food stamps and food kitchens must be opened and supported in all needy neighborhoods.

We need quality education available without charge for all residents from kindergarten through college. We need to develop training programs for environmentally friendly green jobs and work.

We need a public works program to offer employment to everyone who wants to work at a livable wage with full health care benefits. This is an opportunity to create green spaces, urban farms, large living cooperatives in our cities. It is an opportunity to support and strengthen rural life through locally supported and approved projects.

We need to develop a green economy -- local agriculture, local manufacturing, local work and life environments, extensive recycling and reuse facilities, new sources of energy -- wind, thermal, wave.

None of this will happen without positive action from the majority of people. We need to fight against this bailout and for real alternatives to unemployment, poverty and slashed living conditions.

We need to support each other in all these struggles. People need to think and act independently of the auto executives, the bankers and their spokespersons, the Democratic and Republican Parties. They need to vote Green.

The auto bailout, like the larger bailout scam it is part of, offers no real hope for millions of citizens. Like so many things from our government under Republican and Democratic Party leadership, it is an illusion of help, hiding continued steps down the wrong road.

A brighter future depends on us.

Who Are We?

The Greens, in essence, strive for peace, ecological sustainability, fair access to the necessities of life, and human, civil and equal rights. The Green Party of Michigan (affiliated with the Green Party of the United States) seeks to work with people throughout the state, the country, and the world to make fundamental positive changes in our governments, economic systems, and overall well-being. We recognize that these changes can only happen through the wills and desires of free people.

Our mission is to fight abuses of the political system, build positive alternatives, work for change in the current political structure, and keep a vigorous dialogue going in the community. We work in alliances and coalitions, we train new activists, we support other activist groups, we are involved in electoral politics, we are educating the public and we are building a community for the future. Join us!