November 2020
Working toward a future where people and planet are valued, and our government represents all of us.
GPPA News Highlights
edited by Chris Robinson
Green Party of Allegheny County joins Medicare-for-All Speakout
On October 16, GPOAC joined an event sponsored by the Western PA Coalition for Single-Payer Healthcare. (show all)
Berks County Green Party at Cannabis Fest, 10/3--10/4
PA Greens Building Name Recognition
Green Party candidates use the media to build name recognition. Here are four examples:
Timothy Runke joins Joseph Soloski, both candidates for PA State Treasurer, on the WWDB Pennsylvania Project for a conversation on how each will fulfill the duties of the office. https://wwdbam.com/episodes/the-pennsylvania-project-episode-76/?fbclid=IwAR1UHaMjfXgZat-eBOW0VANv3O4Y-3gVDKYf4ZEQaoNAc1BLmFWIzsMk9Xg
During his interview with Scott LaMar of WITF Smart Talk, Timothy Runkle explains that we can use the PA State Treasurer’s office to provide a new perspective on Commonwealth revenues and spending. https://www.witf.org/2020/09/21/smart-talk-tuesday-dem-congressional-candidate-eugene-depasquale-green-treasurer-candidate-tim-runkle/
Timothy Runkle discusses direct democracies, cooperatives, fossil fuel subsidies, and the case against nuclear energy as well as the importance of understanding fiat currency for the State Treasurer of Pennsylvania. Tim joins the United Anarchist News Show at 1 hour into the podcast. https://www.twitch.tv/videos/755110308?fbclid=IwAR2dqOF0lkKrM5d54zFt0ITwg0khQJu505UkTSvOnfI5EAlSlKn_7kxk_cw
In this brief appearance on Renegade ReW Timothy Runkle provides an update on the difficulties of ballot access and touches on his campaign for PA State Treasurer. Includes details on the Amish for Trump, Intercourse, and the smorgasbords of Lancaster County, PA. https://vimeo.com/459725940?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=29220https://vimeo.com/459725940?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=29220
Campaign Updates
edited by Tina Olson
We asked our Green Party candidates what they learned while running for office during 2020. Here is some of what we heard from them:
Jay Ting Walker for PA Representative, District 23
Jay told GREEN STAR, "This election I learned how important having a robust campaign team is. Our campaign team got upgraded in the middle of the campaign, and it was transformational. I wish I spent a lot more time fundraising to pay for necessary campaign expenses. I think having some paid staff will be the difference between our winning and our losing campaigns in the future. There is always more that can be done, and I don't beat myself up for not getting to them. Another major difference would have been to start the campaign earlier. We've learned so much this campaign season. I'm excited to see what we get up to next year.”
Follow Jay’s campaign on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/JayTingWalker; Twitter, https://twitter.com/Jaytingwalker; or Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/jaytingwalker/. Donations and volunteers from across the state are more than welcome on my website, http://jaytingwalker.com/
Garret Wassermann for PA Representative, District 45
Garret told GREEN STAR, “I've learned that a campaign, at least for state office, cannot be done by one person alone. It truly takes a village. The Green Party must be our village of candidates and campaign staff and volunteers, ready to jump in and fight and win. We need to also have our whole campaign year planned out ahead of time, with specific tasks each month we can give to volunteers. I'm looking forward to debriefing the year with other candidates and volunteers and coming up with a plan for the elections in 2021, 2022, and beyond.”
You can learn more about Garret’s campaign or donate at http://www.votegarret.org/. Garret’s Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/VoteGarret/
Michael Bagdes-Canning for PA Representative, District 64
You can follow Michael on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/mike4pa64/; Twitter, https://mobile.twitter.com/bagdescanning; Facebook, https://m.facebook.com/mikebagdescanning; and his website, https://www.mikeforpa64.com/
Noel Antonio Rivera for PA Representative, District 127
Noel’s Facebook is, https://www.facebook.com/riveraforpa/, and his website is https://riveraforpa.wixsite.com/bethechange. He can be reached at [email protected]
Three State-wide Green Party Candidates, https://www.greenslate2020.org/
Richard L. Weiss, Esq. for PA Attorney General
Tim Runkle for PA Treasurer
Pleased follow Tim on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Tim4ElectedOffice/
Olivia Faison for PA Auditor General
Olivia told GREEN STAR, “This election cycle has been a different kind of challenge due to the unprecedented Covid pandemic. The crisis has caused reflection on how important our focus needs to be on grassroots organizations. In particular, getting involved to help the over 100,000 smaller nonprofits in Pennsylvania with 501(c)3 status, to get funding, as they are the devoted liaisons, and the keepers of our culture and our unique heritage. In addition, these organizations are perfectly positioned to create jobs for the all-important "Gig Economy," the actual economy which employs most of the people. Furthermore, these organizations are on the front line of social changes, and impacting social issues such as homelessness and criminal justice reform. As we weather the economic upheaval this health crisis has caused,” Olivia has spent a lot of time supporting such organizations and events. All the while, she continues to campaign for Grassroots Democracy: a change for the better, of the people, by the people, for the people, and including the people in decisions that affect their lives.
Team Updates
Finance Team by Tim Runkle
The Finance Team establishes the Green Party budget; plans events, meetings, and fundraising initiatives; promotes membership options; and manages merchandise. Please join the Finance Team HERE.
GreenWave Team by Garret Wassermann
The Green Wave Team uses the electoral process to energize and grow county locals. We use a regional approach to coordinate and support our efforts across the Commonwealth. To receive an invitation to the next Green Wave virtual meeting, please contact HERE.
To join the Green Wave Team and get invited to future organizing calls, please visit HERE to receive call info or email for more information!
Communications Team by Chris Robinson
PA Greens (and its county chapters) now have nine Twitter accounts. If you want to start your own, please consider joining the ComTeam. If you would like to join our team, please volunteer at https://www.gpofpa.org/, or to join online, sign up HERE..
Core Team by Charles Sherrouse
The Core Team establishes party rules, develops the platform, and manages the tools and systems that maintain the Green Party and allow it to grow. Please join the Core Team HERE.
National Green News
edited by David Ochmanowicz.
Please volunteer to edit this page for future issues of GREEN STAR. Instruction is available.
C-NET Interview with Tim Runkle, Green Party Candidate for PA Treasurer
Check out Tim Runkle’s interview with Anne Danahy on C-NET where he talks about pivoting priorities for the Pennsylvania State Treasurer. (show all)
Celebrating the founding of the Black Panther Party
Meanwhile, Democrats, as expected, have taken the slogans of organizations like Black Lives Matter to make grand gestures but, ultimately, doing nothing more to solve problem. This is why the Green Party is so necessary. Someone has to raise awareness of these issues. Someone has to spell out plans for how we end the abuse, misconduct, and blatant murders being committed by police officers (who are then only given administrative leave as “punishment”). (show all)
Hawkins says Supreme Court nomination should wait until after the election
The recent Democrat appointees, including Ruth Badder Ginsberg, have been neoliberals on economics who agree with the conservative justices on corporate power. Like the rest of the body politic, the court has shifted far to the right, with the current liberal bloc being centrists by historical standards and much to the right of recent liberal standard-bearers such as William Brennan and Thurgood Marshall. Today's SCOTUS liberals would have been on the right in Earl Warren's Supreme Court. The court is the most business-friendly in a century. (show all)
Questions for the 2020 Candidates: Ward 3 Council Craig Cayetano
“I helped to start a mutual aid group: Mutual Passaic County during the pandemic, am a founding member of Voter Choice NJ and am currently one of the state co-chairs of the Green Party of New Jersey. I work with people every day, in many different capacities and can put aside partisan party politics to forge a path ahead together. I’m not someone that is just going to fall in line. I stand up, speak up, make objective decisions and am a listener.” (show all)
Henry Bear: An authentic voice for the people
Maine Green Independent Party representative Henry Bear has successfully entered into the race for District 2 of the Maine State Senate. Bear, a member of the Houlton Band of Maliseets, will run against Incumbent Michael Carpenter (D) and Harold Stewart (R) as a write-in candidate. Bear joined the Green Independent Party on November 22, 2017, becoming the second Green Party member to serve in the Maine House of Representatives and also one of the two highest elected members of the United States Green Party. (show all)
Global Green News
edited by Hal Brown
The Green Party of Bolivia urges supporters to polls “in defense of life and democracy”
“BOLIVIAN CITIZENS CANNOT ALLOW THE RETURN TO GOVERNMENT OF THE DEMAGOGIC PRACTICES OF MAS, WHICH INTERNATIONALLY PROCLAIMED THE DEFENSE OF MOTHER EARTH AND NATURE, BUT IN REALITY IS ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S MOST DISGUISED IN ITS PREDATORY AND SQUANDERING OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES” -- Margot Soria Saravia, leader of the Green Party of Bolivia. (show all)
Green Party conference backs reparations for slavery
The Green Party of England and Wales today became the first political party with representation in the UK parliament to support a policy of reparations for slavery. At the party’s Autumn conference – held online due to the coronavirus pandemic. 93% of members voted to back the pro-reparations motion. The move sees the party calling for the UK government to commit to a “holistic process of atonement and reparations.” (show all)
Senators of Green Alliance Party call for Columbia to ratify the Escazu’ Agreement
Senators of the Green Alliance Party (Partido Alianza Verde) of Colombia are calling for President Iván Duque to ratify the Escazú Agreement. It is the first multilateral environmental agreement in Latin America and the Caribbean – and in the world – that would protect human rights defenders in environmental matters. This comes as the Colombian Congress is scheduled to meet on October 14 for the presentation of the Escazú Agreement to the Senate and House. The months prior have seen a lead up of opposition from within Congress against the treaty. Opposing parties cite the effect on mining, energy and transport sectors. Another source of controversy, the scope of the precautionary principle and how far it will reach. (show all)
Katrin Jakobsdottir Announces Iceland Will Achieve Paris Agreement Targets
“Politics is about succeeding in important matters. Climate change is a priority for this government, and it is therefore a great pleasure to present today a new action plan on climate change, which shows that due to targeted action, Iceland will live up to its obligations under the Paris Agreement – and better yet. This is not a matter of course, but the government decided at the beginning of this election period to put the climate fight at the forefront, and since then we have worked hard to achieve our goal of a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030. Now we are aiming for that and I am incredibly proud!” (show all)
GPPA Coming Events
edited by Chris Robinson
November 1, 9:00 pm
End of Great Green Clean-up!
Sponsored by the Green Party of Lackawanna County.
More information from: [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/742624116521385
November 3, 7:00 am until 8:00 pm
GENERAL ELECTION DAY
Please volunteer at your polling place.
More information from: [email protected]
November 7, 11:00 am
Stop Banking the Bomb
South 18th & East Carson Streets, Pittsburgh.
More information from: [email protected]
Zoom Trivia with Green Party of Westmoreland County
More information from Bili: [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/1065986527190005/
November 10, 6:00 pm
From the Hearts & Minds of Our Youth
The Diversity Coalition hosts a virtual panel of youth discussing their visions of the future. Please register here:
https://www.wdcoalition.org/register/
November 10, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Chester County Virtual Meeting
More information from: [email protected]
November 15, noon
GPPA Virtual Conference
Everyone is welcome
Please register in advance to receive ZOOM contact information, :
https://www.gpofpa.org/2020_11_conf
November 16, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Montgomery County Virtual Meeting
Virtual business meeting.
More information from: [email protected]
November 21, 11:00 am
Stop Banking the Bomb
401 Beaver Street, Sewickley.
More information from: [email protected]
November 24, 7:30 pm
Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP) Virtual Meeting
More information from: [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/260828878556404/
December 1, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County Virtual General Assembly
ZOOM and more information from: [email protected]
GPPA Meeting Dates for 2020:
- November 15, Post-Election Day (virtual), noon
- January 10, Winter Web Conference (officer elections & 2021 candidate selection), noon.
- March 14, Spring State Committee (in person, location to be determined), noon.
- June 13, Summer Web Conference, noon.
Web Conferences are online - RSVP to get connection information. The locations for in-person conferences are to be determined. In-person conferences can be hosted by counties, county groups or regions. These events are fundraisers. When hosted locally, the host group receives back half of the revenue after expenses. To apply for hosting, submit your info to our Application for Local Hosting of GPPA State Meetings or GPPA-Sponsored Events. We strive for geographic diversity in reviewing applications, however, all submissions are considered.
Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team & Media Committee
Issue Credits:
EDITORS: Hal Brown, David Ochmanowicz, Tina Olson & Chris Robinson.
CONTRIBUTORS: Olivia Faison, Tim Runkle, Jay Ting Walker, & Garret Wassermann.
LAYOUT: Dannee Schoepfer & Hal Brown
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.
You can support the Green Party in many ways; however, a monthly sustaining donation helps to fund a solid infrastructure to help local chapters coordinate candidates and provide resources to make their campaigns successful. As little as $3 per month can have a significant impact!
Sustaining Donation Single Donation Purchase Green Merchandise
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. Let's join together to make 2020 the year of progressives!
The Green Star is an official publication of the Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team * 2020
