Tune into the Green Party National Meeting this Weekend

The National Committee of the Green Party of the United States is holding its annual meeting this weekend in Alfred, New York. The Green Party of New York State is also holding its latest Green Fest - a celebration of green culture, politics, and sustainability. If you are in the area, you can register on-site for Green Fest starting Friday, August 5.

If you can't make it in person, you can watch it live! We will be streaming much of the program online - just click here to see the discussion and participate in live chat. Streams will also be archived so you can check back later and see what you missed.  

It is not enough to oppose toxic drilling, the false hope of perpetual economic growth, and injustice - we need alternatives. The most difficult questions of sustainability are not about technology; they are about implementing our values. At the NY Green Fest and Green Party Annual National meeting we will explore the politics that enable us to live in a sustainable world. You can participate in this exploration wherever you are through our live streaming video and chat!

We have 18 great workshops scheduled to be streamed live. Check out the schedule here (scroll down). You can RSVP for the live streaming sessions and get email reminders to tune in. The program begins Friday at 9am.

If you like what you hear and see, please consider supporting the Green Party of the United States by making a contribution which will help us expand our programming and make more national and local events available for viewing live. And thank you for helping increase the visibility of the Green Party in your community.

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Green Party leaders, candidates, and state party delegates head to Alfred, New York, for the party's 2011 Annual National Meeting, August 5-7

WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders, candidates, officeholders, and state party delegates are heading to Alfred, in western New York State, this week for the party's 2011 Annual National Meeting at Alfred University from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7.

This year's meeting site was chosen in part to recognize the Green Party's achievement of major party status in New York, a result of Howie Hawkins' gubernatorial candidacy in the 2010 election.

The meeting will take place at the fourth biennial New York Green Fest, "a gathering of folks interested in exploring the politics and practices that will help enable us to live in a sustainable world, and sharing a weekend of good discussions, good food, and good music" (http://nygreenfest.org). Greens will discuss this year's elections and prepare for Election Year 2012, including the presidential race.

The party will hold several events open to journalists during the meeting. A schedule is appended below. Journalists are encouraged to register ahead of time, at the Green Party's media credentialing page (http://www.gp.org/forms/media).  Registration for media will also take place on site during the meeting. Scott McLarty, media coordinator for the Green Party, will be on site and can be reached at 202-904-7614 (cell).

Press conferences will feature Green candidates for public office from across the US, with a special press conference on Friday, August 6, for women candidates hosted by the party's National Women Caucus (http://www.gp.org/caucuses/women/index.php).

Many of the events, including the forums, press conferences, and workshops, will be broadcast online via the Green Party's Livestream Channel for public viewing (http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus).

Alfred is about 80 miles from Rochester and 90 miles from Buffalo.  For directions to Alfred University and Green Fest, see: http://nygreenfest.org/directions.html

Elizabeth May, Canada's first elected Green Party member of Parliament, will speak to Greens at the meeting by Skype. David C. Korten, economist, co-founder and board chair of YES! Magazine, and author of 'When Corporations Rule the World' and other books (http://livingeconomiesforum.org/author-bio), will also address the meeting by Skype.

Appearing in person will be Richard Grossman, co-author of 'Defying Corporations, Defining Democracy' (2001), author of 'Taking Care of Business: Citizenship & the Charter of Incorporation' (1993); Revoking the Corporation (1996), 'The WTO, the US Constitution & Self-Government' (1999); active with Frack Free Catskills (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Frack-Free-Catskills/160846107298815) in Ulster and Green counties, New York.

Cheri Honkala, Green candidate for Sheriff of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (http://www.cherihonkala.com), will also speak at the meeting. Ms. Honkala founded the Kensington Welfare Rights Union and the national Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign.  She was included in Philadelphia Magazine’s list of 100 Most Powerful Philadelphians and was named Philadelphia Weekly’s “Woman of the Year” in 1997. She was featured in the award-winning documentary 'Poverty Outlaw' (http://www.villagevoice.com/2000-11-21/news/poverty-outlaws/1/).

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS for the Media

For all events and more details, see http://nygreenfest.org/2011schedule.html

Speakers' bios: http://nygreenfest.org/presenterbios11.html

Green Party Livestream channel: http://www.livestream.com/greenpartyus

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5

9:00 am

Press conference

Welcome from the Green Party of New York State and the Green Party of the United States

Green officeholder: David Doonan, Mayor of Greenwich, NY

Green candidates:

Audrey Clement, for Arlington County Board, Va. (http://www.AudreyClement.org), co-chair of the Green Party of the United States

Joe Duffy, for Alderman of Hornell, NY; chair of the Steuben County Green Party (http://www.steubengreens.org)

Howie Hawkins, for Common Councillor of Syracuse, NY; 2010 candidate for Governor or NY

Jay Sweeney, for Supervisor in Falls Township, Pa.

Green presidential candidate Kent Mesplay (http://www.mesplay.org)

Moderator: Scott McLarty

Location: Kenyon-Allen Davis Suite, Powell Campus Center

11:00 am

Press conference

Hosted by the National Women's Caucus (http://www.gp.org/caucuses/women/index.php)

Green candidates:

Colia Clark, for US Senator from New York (2012 election)

Cheri Honkala, for Sheriff of Philadelphia, Pa. (http://www.cherihonkala.com)

Cecile Lawrence, candidate for the Tioga County Legislature (District 3), NY

Moderator: George Friday, National Women's Caucus

Location: Kenyon-Allen Davis Suite, Powell Campus Center

6:45 to 8:45 pm

Forum on Building Local Economies

David Korten, economist, (via Skype) on "Agenda for a Local Economy"; Tina Clarke and David Doonan on the Transition Town Movement

Moderator: Virginia Rasmussen, Program on Corporations, Law and Democracy (http://www.poclad.org), Women's International League for Peace and Freedom: Corporations v. Democracy campaign (http://www.wilpf.org/cvd), trustee of the Village of Alfred

Location: Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6

1:15 to 2:30 pm

Forum on Asserting Local Sovereignty over Fossil Fuel Extraction

Richard Grossman, democracy and anti-fracking activist; and various Green Party speakers.

Moderator: Kate Bartholomew, Coalition to Protect New York (http://www.coalitiontoprotectnewyork.org)

Location: Solar Stage

6:45 to 8:45 pm

Forum on Campaigning for Local Economies and Clean Energy

Elizabeth May, Green Member of Parliament in Canada, (via Skype), Cheri Honkala, Kent Mesplay, and other US Green candidates and officeholders

Moderator: David Cobb, 2004 Green Party presidential nominee

Location: Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center

Some details of the above events may be subject to change.

Green Party 2011 Annual National Meeting

The Green Party's 2011 Annual National Meeting will feature Green candidates from New York and other states, as well as anti-hydrofracking leaders and other Green activists

The meeting will take place August 5-7 at Green Fest in Alfred, western New York; Greens will begin planning for the 2012 elections, including the presidential race; Elizabeth May, Canadian Green member of Parliament, and economist David C. Korten to speak via Skype

Theme of the meeting: "Building a Green Economy -- No War. No Coal. No Gas. No Nukes."

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States will feature an array of candidates and guest speakers at its 2011 Annual National Meeting at Alfred University in Alfred in western New York, from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7.

The meeting will take place at the fourth biennial New York Green Fest, "a gathering of folks interested in exploring the politics and practices that will help enable us to live in a sustainable world, and sharing a weekend of good discussions, good food, and good music" (http://nygreenfest.org).

Among the speakers will be leaders in the campaign to ban hydrofracking (hydraulic fracturing), an environmentally destructive and dangerous technique for accessing gas in the Marcellus Shale beneath Pennsylvania, New York, and other states (see http://nygreenfest.blogspot.com/2011/07/hydrofracking-activists-join-green.html and http://gp.org/greenpages-blog/?p=2440). David Cobb, 2004 Green nominee for President, will speak on the need to abolish corporate 'personhood' and restrict the political power of corporations (see http://www.movetoamend.org).

Elizabeth May, Canada's first elected Green Party member of Parliament, will speak to Greens at the meeting by Skype. David C. Korten, economist, co-founder and board chair of YES! Magazine, and author of 'When Corporations Rule the World' and other books (http://livingeconomiesforum.org/author-bio), will also address the meeting by Skype.

"There are many people throughout the US, including Green elected officials and community activists, who are thinking, talking, planning, and working for a sustainable energy economy despite lack of broader government engagement," said Peter LaVenia, co-chair of the Green Party of New York State (http://www.web.gpnys.com). "Many of them will be coming to the meeting in Alfred or will speak to meeting participants via Skype. Alfred is the perfect place for Green Fest (http://www.alfred.edu/campus/going-green.cfm)."

Several Green candidates from New York and other states will attend the meeting, speak at press conferences, and be available for interview. At least one candidate for the Green presidential nomination, Kent Mesplay, will be present. A preliminary list of candidates who plan to attend the meeting is appended below.

David Doonan, Green Party member and mayor of Greenwich, New York, will also be at the meeting.

For a list of presenters and other speakers at the meeting, with short bios, visit: http://nygreenfest.org/presenterbios11.html

For a draft schedule of panels and forums, see http://nygreenfest.org/detailedschedule.html

Green Party leaders at the meeting will begin organizing for the 2012 election season, including the presidential race. The party will nominate a candidate for the White House at its 2012 national convention. The 2011 meeting in Alfred will also feature Green Party panels, workshops, meetings of the Green National Committee, and other events.

The meeting is open to the media and public. Press conferences will feature Green candidates for public office from across the US, with a special press conference on Friday, August 6, for women candidates hosted by the party's Women Caucus (http://www.gp.org/caucuses/women/index.php). Journalists are encouraged to register ahead of time, at the Green Party's media credentialing page (http://www.gp.org/forms/media). Registration for media will also take place on site during the meeting.

Alfred is about 80 miles from Rochester and 90 miles from Buffalo. For directions to Alfred University and Green Fest, see: http://nygreenfest.org/directions.html

GREEN CANDIDATES at the Green Party's 2011 Annual National Meeting

Mike Bernhard, for Town Board member in Afton, New York.

Audrey Clement, for Arlington County Board, Virginia, in the 2011 general election (http://www.AudreyClement.org). Ms. Clement is a member of the Green Party's national steering committee.

Joe Duffy, for Alderman in Hornell, New York. Mr. Duffy is chair of the Steuben County Green Party.

Howie Hawkins for Common Councillor of Syracuse, New York. The Green Party of New York State regained ballot status in 2010 as a result of Mr. Hawkin's Green campaign for Governor.

Cheri Honkala, for Sheriff of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (http://www.cherihonkala.com) in the 2011 general election. Ms. Honkala founded the Kensington Welfare Rights Union and the national Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign. She was included in Philadelphia Magazine's list of 100 Most Powerful Philadelphians and was named Philadelphia Weekly's "Woman of the Year" in 1997.

Cecile Lawrence, candidate for the Tioga County Legislature (District 3), New York, , in the 2011 general election. Ms. Lawrence, who will conduct a workshop at the meeting, was the Green Party's candidate for US Senate from New York in 2010. A member of Tioga Peace and Justice, she testified at hearings towards the passage of the New York State Managed Care Bill of Rights.

Kent Mesplay, candidate for the Green Party's nomination for President (http://www.mesplay.org). Dr. Mesplay also sought the nomination in 2008.

Anita Rios, candidate for City Council in Toledo (District 4), Ohio, in the 2011 general election. Ms. Rios ran for Lieutenant Governor of Ohio in 2006 and 2010 and is former of the Green Party's national steering committee.

Jay Sweeney, for Supervisor in Falls Township, Pennsylvania, in the 2011 general election (http://www.jaysweeney.org). Mr. Sweeney currently serves as Auditor in Falls Township.

Green Party to hold its 2011 Annual National Meeting August 5-7 at Green Fest in Alfred, NY

Greens begin planning for the 2012 elections, including the presidential race

Theme of the meeting: "Building a Green Economy -- No War. No Coal. No Gas. No Nukes."

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States will hold its 2011 Annual National Meeting at Alfred University in Alfred in western New York, from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7.

The meeting will take place at the fourth bienniel New York Green Fest, "a gathering of folks interested in exploring the politics and practices that will help enable us to live in a sustainable world, and sharing a weekend of good discussions, good food, and good music" (http://nygreenfest.org).

"We look forward to meeting in New York, where the Green Party of New York State regained ballot status in 2010 with Howie Hawkin's Green campaign for governor," said Jason Nabewaniec, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States and a New York Green.

Green Party leaders will begin organizing for the 2012 election season, including the presidential race. The party will nominate a candidate for the White House at its 2012 national convention. The 2011 meeting in Alfred will also feature Green Party panels, workshops, meetings of the Green National Committee, and other events.

The meeting is open to the media and public. Press conferences will feature Green candidates for public office from across the US, with a special press conference on Friday, August 6, for women candidates hosted by the party's Women Caucus (http://www.gp.org/caucuses/women/index.php).

Alfred is about 80 miles from Rochester and 90 miles from Buffalo. For directions to Alfred University and Green Fest, see this web page: http://nygreenfest.org/directions.html

More information about the Green Party's 2011 Annual National Meeting will be announced in the coming weeks.

Obama's compromise tax package will blow up the deficit, undermine Social Security, say Greens urging House Democrats to vote nay

WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders urged House Democrats to stand firm and do what they can to block President Obama's tax package, calling it a capitulation to the Republican Party that will expand the deficit and undermine Social Security.

"The tax cut is evidence that President Obama isn't compromising with Republicans, he's adopting their agenda," said Howie Hawkins, 2010 Green candidate for Governor of New York and co-chair of the Green Party of New York State. "Greens warned that should the President's tax package pass, Democrats will be the ones initiating the half-century GOP plan to dismantle Social Security. Since the plan extends unemployment benefits by diverting some payroll taxes away from Social Security, it weakens the safety-net for working Americans and defers the financial hit a little bit longer."

Green Party leaders praised Sen. Bernie Sanders (Ind.-Vt.) for his eight-and-a-half-hour speech on the Senate floor about the damage that the President's tax package will do to the Social Security trust fund and the safety net for low- and middle-income Americans.

Green leaders said that if either Democrats or Republicans want to reduce the deficit and restore domestic financial stability, they should reduce the military budget and work to end the military occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq. The Green Party has repeatedly called for such action, as well as for requiring the rich to pay their fair share in taxes, since tax breaks for the wealthy have contributed even more to the deficits than bloated military funding, as the CBO has repeatedly documented over the last decade.

"It's no secret that maintaining the Bush tax cuts for people who don't need a tax break will do very little to stimulate the economy. The Congressional Budget Office confirms that for every one dollar in tax cuts, only 10 cents to 40 cents are returned to the economy. The tax cuts may drain $4 trillion from the US treasury in revenue," said Laura Wells, 2010 Green candidate for Governor of California.

"Republicans have little concern for the deficit or for the nation's unemployed. The swollen deficit is attractive to Republicans because it leads to a fiscal crisis in which agencies and public-sector jobs get shut down, regulation of corporations goes unenforced, and privatization of public resources and services is fast-tracked," Ms. Wells added.

The tax bill will raise taxes on working people: about 40% of workers (about 45 million households out of just over 100 million total households) by replacing the Making Work Pay tax credit with the Social Security payroll tax cut (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20025087-503544.html). Greens also faulted Democrats for not fighting to extend unemployment benefits for "99ers," about 2 million unemployed whose benefits ran out in their 100th week of unemployment.

Greens called the GOP obsession with the estate tax, which affects the top three-tenths of one percent of Americans, typical of a party that exists solely to serve the most powerful corporate interests and the wealthiest income brackets. "Populist" Tea Party favorites elected to Congress and conservative 'Blue Dog' Democrats have signed on to the same plutocratic agenda, and Democratic Party leaders repeatedly cave in to their demands, regardless of which party controls Congress, said Greens.

Source: Green Party