June 2021
Working toward a future where people and planet are valued, and our government represents all of us.
PA Green Party Denounces Israeli Violence by GPPA
by GPPA Co-chair Tina Olson
In response to the Israeli killing spree in the Gaza Strip, many Green Party activists came forward to stand with Palestinians in their continued struggle for the right to exist. Members of the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) joined in pro-Palestinian rallies that were held throughout the state on May 15. The Green Party joined other activist organizations such as Black Lives Matter; Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Coalition; Drexel Students for Justice in Palestine; New Afrikan Independence Party; Pittsburgh Anti-Imperialist League; and Jewish Voice for Peace, in solidarity to end the suffering of the Palestinian people . . . .
One of the Ten Key Values of the Green Party calls for nonviolent methods of resolving conflicts while respecting the right for people to defend themselves. In particular, the decades-long conflict in the Israeli-Palestine region has been unfairly financed and supported by countries like the U.S. From the Green Party Platform we learn, “Our Green values oblige us to support popular movements for peace and demilitarization in Israel-Palestine, especially those that reach across the lines of conflict to engage both Palestinians and Israelis of good will.”(show all)
GPPA News Highlights
edited by Chris Robinson
PA Green Party Immigrant Rights Update by Jenny Isaacs
Since 2019, the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA, www.gpofpa.org) has been on record calling for the closing of the Berks County Detention Center. Many people were shocked to learn that Berks had been housing immigrant families (including children) since 2014. They were unaware that family detention and mass deportation as tools of immigration enforcement did not originate with the Trump administration. (show all)
Walk For Our Grandchildren and Mother Earth, June 20 -- June 28 by Michael Bagdes-Canning
I hope you will consider walking with us. This isn’t just any stroll. We aim to pressure President Biden and his administration to do everything in their power to end fossil fuel extraction and burning, the making of nerdles for the dead-end plastic industry. We want them to transition immediately to renewables, especially wind and solar, energy efficiency and battery storage. We aim to take the fight directly to Biden – the march will start in Scranton, PA, the birthplace of “Scrappy Joe” and end in Wilmington, DE, where he has made his adult home. But “Uncle Joe” is not our only target. (show all)
Phila. Green Party Has Cure for Gun Violence by Justin Bell
Our local officials are baffled. They propose the same old ideas: curfews, more police, etc. The tactics they propose would seem to show a complete misunderstanding of the cause. Do they really not get it or is this system they designed working?
. . . . Fortunately, the Green Party has political proposals that will reverse that disinvestment and contribute to a massive lessening of gun violence. The Green Party has called for reparations, a universal basic income, and single-payer health care for all. The Green Party program for a Green New Deal calls for an Economic Bill of Rights, which would employ everyone at a living wage. These measures address systemic problems that contribute to gun violence. (show all)
Campaign Updates
edited by Chris Robinson
Jay Sweeney for Auditor, Falls Township, Wyoming County
Jay told GREEN STAR, “I will be seeking a third term as Falls Township Auditor. Even in the lowest level of government, Greens can have an impact. On the other hand, I have found much agreement, regardless of party affiliation. I have been working for openness and transparency. My fellow auditors have been supportive, but there is still work to be done.”
Connor Mulvaney for Pittsburgh City Council District 4
Connor told GREEN STAR, “My campaign is focused on expanding public transit, ensuring equitable access to basic needs and services, and advocating a Pittsburgh Green New Deal initiative.” Follow Connor’s campaign on Facebook, For more information visit his website https://www.connor4pgh.com/get-involved Facebook https://www.facebook.com/connorforpgh Twitter https://twitter.com/ConnorMulvaneyInstagram https://www.instagram.com/connorforcouncil/
Ben Campman for Inspector of Elections, Lower Salford Ward 5, Montgomery County
Ben told GREEN STAR, “Helping with an election for my good friend last summer really helped me see the importance of third parties in America. After looking through all the different options for what party I wanted to run as, I decided the Green Party was the one I felt a connection to. I’m hoping to learn so much this year, and hopefully this can lead to even bigger things in the future.”
Bill Pilkonis for Judge of Elections, Scranton, Lackawanna County
Karin Albert for Inspector of Elections, Exeter Borough Ward 2, Luzerne County
Barbara Laxon for Inspector of Elections, McKean County
Team Updates
Finance Team
The Finance Team manages GPPA’s budget and merchandise. Our 2021 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. This month we are focusing on updating merchandise and literature and beginning a donation drive. Consider becoming a sustaining donor for as little as $3/month and receive benefits such as free guest event passes, a membership card, and free and discounted merchandise. Please volunteer HERE.
Communications Team by Chris Robinson and Tina Olson
The ComTeam is searching for writers, editors, and videographers. We also need volunteers to manage some exciting Social Media programs. If you would like to join our team, please volunteer here, To join our team, please sign up HERE.
Global Green News
edited by Hal Brown
Japanese Greens protest decision to release contaminated water from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
On April 13, the Japanese government decided at a ministerial meeting to release contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant where a partial meltdown took place following a tsunami in 2011. The Japanese Green Party was formed in the wake of this unprecedented accident. They are strongly anti-nuclear and are strongly opposed to the release of radioactive water into the Pacific ocean. Following the controversial announcement they released the following statement. (show all)
New Zealand Greens help reduce Public Service Workers’ Pay Freeze The Green Party of New Zealand has successfully overturned the pay freeze set to affect public service workers. The fields affected include nurses, teachers, and Directors of Care (DOC.)This victory follows the Greens launching a petition calling for a reversal of the announcement by NZ Public Service Minister Chris Hipkins to extend wage suppression to a three-year term. Following an outcry from both unions and the Green Party, the Government has agreed to review the freeze next year, as opposed to 2023. The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) president Richard Wagstaff called this a win for public sector employees. “From our point of view, it worked,” he stated in an interview with the New Zealand Herald when asked about the negotiation results. (show all)
German Greens dominate the polls for the 2021 Elections
In Germany, the elections for the next chancellor are taking a turn to favour the Greens at the expense of Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Merkel, the current German chancellor with four consecutive terms since 2005, announced in October 2018 that she would not run for office after the end of her term in 2021. However, since the beginning of March 2021, the Green Party of Germany, the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, is growing in the polls, and presented Annalena Baerbock as a candidate for the chancellorship. Since April, the CDU (Christian Democratic Union, or Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands) has been outpaced in the polls by the Green Party of Germany. Support for the [CDU] party declined . . . [to] a level not seen since March 2020, while support for the Green Party is at its highest level in two years. (show all)
According to Annamie Paul, leader of the Canadian Green Party, Canada has not once met its greenhouse gas emissions targets. The Green Party of Canada has proposed that Canada and the U.S. cooperate in order to formulate a “Canada/U.S. Carbon Border Adjustment.” The goal would be to encourage other countries to reduce their GHG emissions all while ensuring that Canadian and American businesses are protected. “The Green Party has been very clear: Canada needs a post-pandemic Green Recovery. It is how we will simultaneously create the jobs we need now; secure our economic future; and do our fair share to combat the climate emergency,” said Annamie Paul. (show all)
GPPA Coming Events
edited by Chris Robinson
Green Party events are in GREEN. Other Movement events are in RED.
June 4 thru June 6
#NoWar2021 Virtual Conference
World Beyond War
Register here: https://hopin.com/events/nowar2021-virtual-global-conference
June 7, 8:00 pm
GPPA Welcomes New Members
RSVP here: https://www.gpofpa.org/2021_06_new_member_meeting
June 11, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Lebanon County Virtual Meeting
For contact information, please RSVP here: https://www.gpofpa.org/lebanon_county_20210611
June 12, 6:00 pm
YES PA Monthly Game Night
Young EcoSocialists of PA virtual game night.
Please register here: https://www.gpofpa.org/yes_pa_game_night_20210612
June 13, 11:30 am
Lackawanna Green Party Spring Meeting
Clean Green Ridge with the Green Party. Meet at Green Ridge & Blakely Streets.
More information from: https://www.facebook.com/events/444213160252484
June 13, noon
GPPA State Virtual Meeting
Everyone is welcome.
Please RSVP to receive Zoom contact information: https://www.gpofpa.org/2021_06_conf
June 18 thru June 20
Juneteenth Celebrations
Lehigh Valley Juneteenth
More information from: https://juneteenthlv.org/schedule/
Philadelphia Juneteenth March & Festival
More information from: http://juneteenthphilly.org/juneteenth-freedom-day-march/ Reading Juneteenth online
More information from: https://www.facebook.com/events/778096306470664 Western PA Juneteenth
More information from: https://www.facebook.com/WPAJuneteenth/events/
June 21, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Montgomery County Virtual Meeting
More information from: [email protected]
June 22, 6:00 pm
South Hills Green Party Virtual Meeting
More information from: [email protected]
June 22, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Philadelphia Virtual Meeting
More information from: [email protected]
https://www.gpop.org/general_membership_meeting_jan2021_20210622
June 26, 3:00 pm
Green Party of Wayne County Meeting
At 984 Bethany Turnpike, Honesdale.
More information from: [email protected]
June 30, noon
People Over Petro Coalition (POPC))
Monthly virtual meeting endorsed by the Green Party of Allegheny County
More information from: [email protected]
GPPA Meeting Dates for 2021:
2021 Meetings will be held the second weekend of: January, March, June, September, November. September's meeting will be in-person, and it will take place in Bellefonte, PA, on Saturday, September 18. All State Web Conferences will be 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday, June 13, 2021
- Saturday, September 18, 2021
- Sunday, November 14, 2021
Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team & Media Committee
Issue Credits:
EDITORS: Chris Robinson, Hal Brown
CONTRIBUTORS:Jenny Isaacs, Michael Bagdes-Canning, Justin Bell, and Tina Olson
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
