April
Tony Dastra is Green Party Candidate for PA Governor
or https://joesosnowski.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2017/03/Sosnowski.jpg--face image
Tony Dastra is the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania. On March 8, the 35 elected delegates to the GPPA State Committee endorsed Dastra’s campaign.
In requesting the endorsement, Tony Dastra told the delegates from 12 counties, “Today, with your support, I am planting myself. I am committing to be on this ride, to help get the blood flowing and to grow unorganized areas of our Commonwealth into organized ones. I will seed new Green Party organized counties by recruiting more delegates to fill our rolls.”
Dastra now says, “I am committed to growing my local Green Party of Lancaster County. I am committing to the Green Party’s Four Pillars and Ten Key Values. In fact, as it relates to our values, I am particularly upset recently because Scouting America is flat out REMOVING their Citizenship in Society Merit Badge. The more I think about my upbringing being an Eagle Scout, I had a lot of American history poured into me. The Green Party often reminds me of the newly formed Republican Party of 1858. Back then, abolitionists, like U.S. Representative Thaddeus Stevens (Republican of Lancaster County) who drafted the 14th Amendment, were called radical. I have hope in the Green Party in this moment of history for that reason. Though I do not have a crystal ball, I am putting all my chips on Green.”
Tony Dastra was the Green Party candidate for Mayor of Lancaster City in 2025. He is a vigorous campaigner and plans to visit the 10 largest cities in PA and a rural community in all 11 PennDOT Districts. Dastra says that his campaign will not accept donations from corporations or corporate PACs. Interested individuals should get involved with the Green Party of Pennsylvania and follow listed social media for campaign updates.
PA Green News
Edited by Chris Robinson
GPOAC to Hold Anti-Fascist Pasta Night
The Green Party of Allegheny County (GPOAC) will hold an Anti-Fascist Pasta Night on Saturday, April 4. Learn to love cats and hate capitalism (if you don’t already)! Curious about the fascist coup going on in the US? Want to get the low down with punchlines because this world needs a spoonful of sugar to go down? Ron Placone, Green Party of California, has been a political comic (their designation, not his) since 2007. He’s been witnessing the decline pretty much ever since the Iraq War jolted him awake. Ron will take you on a journey through politics, culture, travel, relationships, and just to give a bit of relief, how he copes with it all. A comedy show for the lefties, the weirdos, the freethinkers, the peaceniks, the dreamers, or anyone who wants to join us, ffs we need more of us! Pasta Yay, Fascism Nay! * Pasta is not actually included. Please RSVP here, https://www.gpofpa.org/gpoac_social_20260404 STORY HERE
Montco Greens Elect 2026 Leaders
On February 16, members of the Green Party of Montgomery County, PA, elected leaders for 2026. Both Chair Alex Noyle and Treasurer Andrew Chiang were re-elected. Tristan Holland was elected party secretary.
Green Party Asks, “Are You Tired Yet, America?”
Erin King, a member of the Green Party of Centre County, PA, has created a two minute, promo video for the Green Party of Pennsylvania. It is now on YouTube. VIDEO HERE
Green Party Applauds Free Food Distribution
By Bryarr Misner
As the Secretary of the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA), I was glad the Steering Committee of the GPPA moved on March 1 to recognize the excellent work being done by non-profit organizations to feed hungry citizens of our Commonwealth. The Green Party admires a broad trend of political and activist organizations in Pennsylvania which have stepped up to meet immediate community needs through food distribution. STORY HERE
Team Reports
Edited by Patrick O. McNally
Communication Team
Green Party members, please tell us with which movement organization your county Green Party is working. If you speak out and let the world know, the ComTeam will help you publicize your organizing. Send your draft today via email to [email protected]
Please join the Communication Team right here.
www.gpofpa.org/team_communications_join
Finance Team
The team will share more details soon on Zeffy, the online platform selected to replace our use of PayPal for collecting one-time and recurring monetary donations. The new platform is secure and its advantages were thoughtfully evaluated by the team. Please check future GreenStar newsletters and other official GPofPA channels and our website for further updates.
A renewed auction fundraiser page (https://www.gpofpa.org/auction) went live in late March. Please visit the link to view the art, jewelry and collectibles donated by fellow Greens, and to place your own bid to support the Party. Bidding will close at or just after 11:59 pm, June 12, 2026, and it’s anticipated that any items won that are too large to economically ship via USPS will be brought to the June meeting in Harrisburg for bidders to pick up. Donations of additional items between now and until such time as they may be incorporated into the auction page are welcome.
Please join the Finance Team right here.
https://www.gpofpa.org/team_finance_join
Green Wave Team
With a focus on identifying candidates who represent the Party’s values and supporting their campaigns, Green Wave has also found areas for collaboration among the Action Teams and responsibilities that may benefit from clearer delineation.
With Tony Dastra (Lancaster) recently garnering the Party’s endorsement for Governor, now is the time to support his campaign. Green Wave recruited a number of volunteers to help in it, and more are sought. Check our Slack channels and the GPofPA calendar page for ongoing opportunities to support this campaign.
At its March 9 meeting, the team also discussed proposals around new candidates’ documentation in the form of a questionnaire and a Candidate Agreement, as well as revised guidance around the endorsement process.
Another action item and a notice to all Greens: anyone intending to work in the GPofPA Nationbuilder must return a completed confidentiality agreement. Any Green who intends to take part in phone outreach to current and new Greens—an essential need for the party to grow—must sign and return our PA Voter Export Guidelines, non-disclosure affirmation first.
“Be seen being Green” is a perennial imperative for all, and the team continued to discuss tactics both large and small that we can use to show up year-round.
We can attend events and march in parades as a group. Greens should have printed info at-the-ready, to disseminate the Party’s values in ways that are both immediate (like the palm-sized, business cards recently designed by the Montgomery County Greens) as well as evocative and long-lasting, like the proposed distribution of seed packets of North American wildflowers, imprinted with the Four Pillars and GPofPA contact info. Greens with a good knowledge of native plants could potentially help in this effort, selecting and growing suitable plants in their home gardens and harvesting the seeds.
Organizing social events can bring Greens together and show the more exciting side of everyday participatory democracy.
Local or state events like a film screening, or workshops imparting one's skills and areas of expertise where they meet with Green Values will further peace, ecology, social justice, and democracy, recruiting new Greens while energizing the party. Examples of this abound: from tours of abandoned gas wells lead by Barbara Laxon in McKean County, to national volunteer organizing and events lead by Wendy Keslick (Chester) in support of Butch Ware’s nationally-impactful Green Party campaign for Governor of California.
Attendance in Green Wave meetings has grown and the team will benefit from more Green Party member contributions, in its next meeting and through each team members’ “homework” or tasks between each meeting.
Please join the Green Wave Team right here.
www.gpofpa.org/team_greenwave_join
Core Team
The Core Team has added several new members and a new team leader, with its next monthly meeting scheduled for 6:30 pm on Monday, April 6. Any Green Party member interested in helping with revisions to the handbook and other key onboarding resources for new GP members may join us by RSVP’ing here: https://www.gpofpa.org/core_team_meeting_20260406
Campaign Updates
Edited by Chris Robinson
GREEN STAR will keep you posted about Green Party members who seek the nomination to run for public office. Green Party members who plan to seek the GPPA nomination to run in 2026 and 2027 are welcome to contact GREEN STAR at [email protected] .
PA STATE-WIDE CAMPAIGN
The Green Party has endorsed one candidate for state-wide office:
Tony Dastra for Governor of Pennsylvania
You may volunteer for the Tony Dastra 2026 Campaign right here,
https://www.dastraforpa.org/
Please follow the campaign here,
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/dastraforpa/
Facebook, facebook.com/DastraforPA
Website, https://www.dastraforpa.org/
National Green News
Edited by David Ochmanowicz Jr.
Video: Marine Arrested Shouting, "No one wants to fight for Israel"
The North Carolina Green Party salutes its U.S. Senate candidate, Marine Corps veteran Brian McGinnis, for speaking the truth powerfully at the Senate Armed Services subcommittee hearing on March 4. McGinnis said, “America does not want to send its sons and daughters to war for Israel." His words represent the views of the majority of Americans who reject this war. According to a recent CNN poll, 59% of Americans disapprove of the US strikes on Iran. Video on this page
Green Party of California Condemns Military Attacks on Iran
The Green Party of California opposes ALL U.S. military and economically coercive actions that have destabilized countries across the world, subjecting millions of people to displacement, dispossession, injury, and death. STORY HERE
Watch: EcoAction Webinar on Ecosocialist Green New Deal
The EcoAction Committee of the Green Party of the U.S. held an open discussion on March 9 about its ecosocialist Green New Deal proposal, which it first promoted in 2010, and how to push the GND in the current political climate. Presenters include Howie Hawkins, Nina Schlegel, and Anthony Karefa Rogers-Wright. STORY HERE
Greens Say Current State of the Union is Appalling
The Green Party of the U.S. advocates for the immediate abolition of ICE and the removal of corrupt politicians from office. “We need a popular movement to oppose Trump’s destruction of our country. The Republicans have abandoned all principled behavior, while the Democrats refuse to confront Trump aggressively. Congress must join the American people to reject the fascist efforts of the Trump administration,” said GPUS Co-chair Cassandra Lems STORY HERE
Global Green News
Edited by Hal Brown
“Human Rights Cannot Be Enforced by Bombing,” Warn Czech Greens on Iran
The Czech Green Party (Zelení) has issued a stern condemnation of the military strikes against Iran by the U.S. and Israel. Warning against the “normalization of violent regime change,” the party argues that undermining international rules only invites further global instability and chain conflicts. Zelení warned that sideling diplomatic negotiations in favor of military action will lead to a deepening crisis and “new waves of refugees that will also affect Europe.” STORY HERE
Other Green Parties Oppose U.S.-Israeli Attacks on Iran
Green Party of the United Kingdom https://globalgreen.news/en/uk-green-party-denounces-illegal-us-israeli-strikes-on-iran-warns-against-uk-involvement/
Ecological Party (LIVRE) of Portugal https://globalgreen.news/en/portugal-livre-denounces-us-israeli-strikes-on-iran-demands-ceasefire-and-transparency-on-lajes-air-base/
Flemish Greens Back Industrial Accelerator Act
As the European Commission prepares to unveil the much-anticipated Industrial Accelerator Act, the Flemish Greens (Groen) are calling for a "Made in Europe" revolution. Sara Matthieu, lead negotiator for the European Greens, argues that Europe must defend its domestic industry as fiercely as China and the U.S. STORY HERE
Social Housing in Flanders: Greens Denounce Waste
While 210,000 people are desperately waiting for housing, a colossal portion of the budget allocated to social housing for 2025 remains unused. For Nadia Naji, a Green Party (Groen) Member of Parliament, “Waiting lists are a death sentence.” STORY HERE
Celebrating 25 Years of the Global Greens
The Global Greens 25th Anniversary celebration will take place on April 16 and April 17, 2026, online. Members, partners, and friends will come together online from across our global network to reflect on our shared history, celebrate our achievements, and look ahead to the future of the international Green movement. STORY HERE
GPPA Meeting Dates for 2026
All State Committee Meetings will begin at noon
Saturday, June 13, hybrid, location TBD in Harrisburg, Dauphin County
Saturday, September 12, hybrid, location TBD in Huntingdon County
Sunday, November 15, via Zoom
GPPA Meeting Dates for 2027
Saturday, January 9, or Sunday, January 10, hybrid
GPPA Communications Team
Issue Credits
Editors: Hal Brown, Patrick O. McNally, David Ochmanowicz, Jr. and Chris Robinson
Contributors: Andrew Chiang, Tony Dastra, Tristan Holland, Erin King, Bryarr Misner, Alex Noyle and Chris Robinson
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 * 2026.
