PA Should Follow Oregon and Decriminalize Drug Use
PHILADELPHIA – Fifteen states have now legalized the adult use of cannabis (aka marijuana, ganja, reefer, weed, etc.). While you were occupied with the November 3 election, four states, Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota legalized cannabis, joining the other eleven states and two U.S. territories where it was already legal.
Voters in Oregon State, where cannabis was legalized in 2015, went a step further and decriminalized heroin, cocaine, and "all drugs," a sentiment clearly stated in the Green Party platform. For many years the Green Party has called to "implement a step-by-step program to decriminalize all drugs in the United States."
Green Party of Pennsylvania
www.gpofpa.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
CONTACT:
Tre Schumacher, [email protected]
Chris Robinson, Communication Team, [email protected]
"Drug legalization exhibits respect for the individual, fiscal responsibility on the part of the government, and progressive criminal justice reform," explained Tre Schumacher (Philadelphia), member of the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) steering committee. "Legalizing drugs means less crowded jails and more free citizens contributing to society. It means fewer tax dollars spent on police raids, legal expenses, incarceration expenses, and other expenses associated with enforcing drug criminalization. Legalization means more investments, consumer spending, and tax revenue." Schumacher continued, "Although drug legalization is not police reform, it is policing reform. Drug legalization advances the way we define, think and treat law, crime, and the 'criminal mind.'"
"If drug use is a free choice, the state should have no right to encroach on individual liberty. If drug use results in addiction or destructive behavior, it should then be addressed by medical professionals, not by the state in the form of incarceration," said Tina Olson (Hellertown), organizer for the Lehigh Valley Green Party. "From the perspective of mental health professionals, the question of whether addiction is a moral debate or medical issue has been resolved. As addiction is now listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), we have to look at it as an ongoing health condition. Jailing addicts and addicts-in-recovery is akin to imprisoning someone with schizophrenia. As we know from the history of mental institutions, that method is cruel and inhumane."
Chris Robinson (Philadelphia), co-leader of GPPA's communication team, said, "The voting public overwhelmingly agrees with the Green Party. A supermajority of U.S. voters (68 percent) said they supported legalization of cannabis in a Gallup poll in October 2020. A Harper Poll in May 2020, showed that 62 percent of PA voters supported legalization of cannabis, with majorities from conservatives, centrists and liberals. It is time for the PA General Assembly to act."
The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party's Four Pillars: ecological wisdom, grassroots democracy, nonviolence, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please visit www.gpofpa.org. Please follow GPPA on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
For more information, please see:
Platform, Green Party of the U.S., II. Social Justice, H. Criminal Justice, Green Solutions, End the War on Drugs,
https://www.gp.org/social_justice/#sjCriminalJustice;
"National Poll Finds Overwhelming Support for Legalization" by Marie Edinger, December 1, 2020,
https://www.wikileaf.com/thestash/national-poll-finds-overwhelming-support-for-legalization/;
"Pennsylvania: Poll Shows Broad Support for Legalization," August 25, 2020,
https://www.mpp.org/states/pennsylvania/;
"PA Cannabis Coalition Calls for Principle-Based Approach to Adult-Use Marojuana," June 14, 2020,
https://www.pcanna.org/recentnews.
January 2020 Green Star
January 2020
Working toward a future where people and planet are valued, and our government represents all of us.
Planet Over Money in 2020... and Beyond
by GPPA Co-chair Alan Smith
As Australia and New Zealand celebrate a new year before the rest of the world, one begs the question, are they living in the future? No, they are just on a different part of the planet. Time is something we have constructed to represent the movement of this planet on its axis and its movement around the sun. This construct, this tool, however has been used to subjugate, exploit and destroy people and planet.
From obsessions with deadlines to obsessions with efficiency, our species has reeked havoc on itself and the planet as a whole. Yet, the idea of having reverence for this planet is timeless. As we celebrate a new year, a new decade, I encourage us to think about engaging in timeless activities, and living timeless lives. The new year will be full of deadlines, and all sorts of other ways in which this construct of time will used to rule our lives. Yet, I encourage us to be more focused on LIFElines, to help each other, and rescue this planet from our destructive ways. It is also important to cherish each moment. I know this all too well as this time last year I was mourning the passing of my mother.
The past and the future live in our minds as constructs. How we chose to think about the past and future greatly effects what we do in the present. Shared here is a drawing of mine inspired by a West African symbol called the "Sankofa bird." It is a bird with its feet pointed toward the future, but with its neck craned back. It represents taking what is good from the past and bringing it into the future, learning from the past.
The future can look bleak or bright. When I look at this past decade I am encouraged. One of highlights of these past 10 years was born out of the bleakest moments. The Occupy Movement of 2011 a response to the financial crash of 2008-9. It ushered in an awakening worldwide that the planet was more important than profit, that glacier ice sheets were more important than financial spreadsheets. Since then there's been a increase in worldwide attention to and activism against the economic, social, and environmental injustices wrought by capitalism, militarism, and other -isms.
As an educator, I know that changes can take years or they can take only seconds. There's no simple formula for having the light bulb going off in students' heads. Our constructs of time have no bearing on the changes we seek. Change is not bound by time. The 4 pillars and 10 Key Values that we hold dear as Greens are timeless and my commitment to them is likewise. My new year message: Planet over money in 2020....and beyond.
GPPA News Highlights
edited by Chris Robinson
PA Greens support formation of Federal Renewable Energy Commission (FREC)
On December 1, the Steering Committee of the Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) endorsed the formation of a Federal Renewable Energy Commission (FREC). This newly created national agency would have the mission of organizing the Green New Deal and creating a sustainable energy structure for the U.S. (show all)
Jill Stein Sues to Reopen PA Election Security Case
PHILADELPHIA - Jill Stein and the 2016 recount team filed a motion [on 11/26] in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of PA to enforce the settlement agreement in Stein v. Cortés by ordering the PA Department of State to immediately decertify the ES&S ExpressVote XL voting machine. Leading election integrity experts including Dr. J. Alex Halderman agree that the deeply flawed ExpressVote XL violates the 2018 settlement of the Stein recount lawsuit guaranteeing all PA voters the right to voter-verifiable, auditable paper ballots by the 2020 election. “After the ExpressVote XL’s disastrous debut on election night, when it was observed reporting incorrect vote totals in Northampton County, we offered the state one last chance to do right by voters by voluntarily decertifying the machine,” said Stein. “It’s even more troubling to consider that these flawed machines could swing elections to the wrong winners in less obvious ways that observers might not even notice.” The ExpressVote XL was used in Philadelphia and Northampton counties on November 5 and has been selected by Cumberland County. Please read more here, (show all)
Members of the Green Party of Allegheny County (GPOAC) formed three working groups at their November general assembly: the Clean Energy/Anti-Nuclear Working Group; the Anti-Fracking and Anti-Petrochemical Working Group; and the Anti-War Working Group. Volunteers for each working group will meet outside of the general assembly to determine a plan of action for GPOAC in 2020. Working groups can decide the best way to work together, which may be in-person meetings, phone conferences, or other methods convenient for its members. If you’re interested in joining any working group, please contact the GPOAC executive committee at [email protected] (show all)
Greens Table at Lancaster Pride
Photo shows (left to right) Tim Runkle, Nick Prete and Alex Noyle.
Campaign Updates
edited by Sheri Miller
Green Party of PA candidates for State Treasurer, Auditor General, and/or Attorney General will be selected at the GPPA January Webconference. Come join us and share in the excitement as we kick off of a great campaigning year - 2020!
National Green News
edited by Gayle Morrow
“The Green New Deal will convert the old, gray economy into a new, sustainable economy that is environmentally sound, economically viable and socially responsible. It seeks to solve the climate crisis by combining quick action to get to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and 100% renewable energy by 2030 along with an ‘Economic Bill of Rights’ – the right to single-payer healthcare, a guaranteed job at a living wage, affordable housing and free college education.” (show all)
Big Green Project!! Or is it? Bonus: Discussion of RCV Green Party calls for authorities to kill $1 billion hydropower project.(show all)
GREENS ARE ONE
In light of the recent propensity in the U.S. to divide ourselves on one side or another, creating a contentious us vs them atmosphere that appears to permeate every facet of our lives, I have set out this month to highlight how Greens are truly of one mind all over the world. We need to remind ourselves of this occasionally to stay grounded.
One young Green candidate, encouraging others.
Even though he is Canadian, he has an inspiring story of what to expect and how to grow, while remaining persistent, good advice to any U.S. Green candidate. (show all)
Why older people everywhere should vote Green.
Greens will write-off student debt. (show all)
Global Green News
edited by Gayle Morrow
Sometimes it is good to go back to your roots to be informed of your history and to get grounded. For example, did you know that the first Green Parties were established in 1972 in Tasmania and New Zealand? Thought it was the U.S., didn’t you? Read more about the organizational history of the Global Greens. (show all)
Green Party Climate & Energy “Platform” The UK had another election December 12, called by Boris Johnson. The parties published their manifestos [platform] before the day of the election. Here are the UK Green Party climate and energy policies, which speak of funding the changes needed, somewhat different from the U.S. GP that seems to set goals but leaves the mention of funding to individual candidates. (show all)
Green Party [UK] piled on more votes than any other party in climate election with a 60% surge. (show all)
Seems the U.S. isn’t the only place the Family Sanders puts forth a candidate. Larry Sanders, UK Greens spokesperson for health & social care, and the brother of U.S. Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, attended a pre-election event on the Isle of Wight. (show all)
GPPA Coming Events
edited by Chris Robinson
Green Party events are in GREEN. Other Movement events are in RED.
January 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 at 11:30 pm
Climate Crisis Awareness Rally
Lincoln Square in Gettysburg (York Street crossing)
Hosted by Adams County Green Party in solidarity with Greta Thunburg's worldwide climate awareness movement.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2206600726129147/
January 3, 11:00 am
Stop Banking the Bomb
PNC Tower, 300 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
Endorsed by the Green Party of Allegheny County: [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/715856215568533/
January 6, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Chester County Virtual Meeting
Interested parties should contact [email protected]
January 6, 7:30 pm
Tara Yaney Swearing-in Ceremony
Edgewood Borough Office, 2 Race Street, Swissvale, PA
More information from [email protected]
January 7, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County General Assembly
Panera Bread, 3401 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA
More information from [email protected]
January 12, noon
GPPA Delegates Virtual Meeting
Delegates will elect GPPA officers for 2020. All interested members of the public may attend to learn more about the Green Party.
Please register in advance at: https://www.gpofpa.org/2020_01_conf
January 13, 6:00 pm
Meet Councilperson Tara Yaney
The Loft, 1118 South Braddock Avenue, Pittsburgh. Meet newly elected Tara and share ideas.
Sponsored by the Green Party of Allegheny County: [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/2521938821387018/
January 18, 11:00 am
Stop Banking the Bomb
PNC, 236 Shiloh Street, Pittsburgh, PA.
Endorsed by the Green Party of Allegheny County:
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/2820693631287817/
January 20
Martin Luther King Day of Action
8:00 am, Philadelphia, Unitarian Society of Germantown, 6511 Lincoln Drive.
12:00 Noon, King of Prussia, Brandywine Peace Nonviolent Action, Lockheed Martin, 230 Mall Boulevard.
January 20, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Montgomery County Meeting
More information from [email protected]
January 25, 9:00 am
Green Party of Lancaster County Meeting
Folklore Coffee Company, One North Market Street, Elizabethtown.
More information from [email protected]
Please RSVP at https://www.gpofpa.org/2019_jan_lancaster
January 28, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Philadelphia Membership Meeting
For the location, please contact [email protected]
February 3, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Chester County Meeting
Interested parties should contact [email protected]
February 4, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County General Assembly
Panera Bread, 3401 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA
More information from [email protected]
February 17, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Montgomery County Meeting
501 South Easton Road, Wyncote, PA.
More information from [email protected]
February 25, 7:00 pm
Green Party of Philadelphia Membership Meeting
For the location, please contact [email protected]
GPPA Meeting Dates for 2020:
- January Webconference (online, officer elections, 2020 state candidate selection) - Sunday January 12, 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm
- Spring Conference and Presidential Forum (in-person two-day conference), March 21-22 - Harrisburg, PA
- Summer Webconference (online) - Sunday June 7
- Fall Conference & Retreat (in-person) - Saturday/Sunday September 12/13
- Year-End Webconference, Post-Election Day (online) - Sunday November 15
Web Conferences are online - RSVP to get connection information. . Visit the GPPA events calendar to RSVP. 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: Chris Robinson, Gayle Morrow, & Sheri Miller
CONTRIBUTORS: Alan Smith
LAYOUT: Sheri Miller & Dannee Schoepfer
GRAPHIC ARTS: Kevin Richardson
ILLUSTRATIONS: Alan Smith
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!
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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
The Real Green New Deal and Our National Well-Being
-- By Neal Gale.
- (H) overhauling transportation systems in the United States to remove pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector as much as is technologically feasible, including through investment in—
- (F) spurring massive growth in clean manufacturing in the United States and removing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing and industry as much as is technologically feasible, including by expanding renewable energy manufacturing and investing in existing manufacturing and industry;
- (G) working collaboratively with farmers and ranchers in the United States to remove pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector as much as is technologically feasible, including—
- (i) by eliminating pollution and greenhouse gas emissions as much as technologically feasible;
- (iv) by ensuring that any infrastructure bill considered by Congress addresses climate change;
GPPA welcomes Pope Francis to Pennsylvania
For Immediate Release
September 25, 2015
Contacts:
Jay Sweeney [email protected]
570-587-3603
David F. Ochmanowicz Jr. [email protected]
GPPA welcomes Pope Francis to Pennsylvania
The Green Party of Pennsylvania welcomes His Holiness Pope Francis to our beloved Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. His much-anticipated visit to Philadelphia is a joy to so many.
In Pope Francis’s recent encyclical about climate change and the environment, Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to You), he has shown his passion to live up to his adopted papal name Francis, after the Christian patron saint of animals and the environment.
“Pope Francis shares many of the The Green Party of Pennsylvania’s values.” said GPPA Chair Jay Sweeney. “He is outspoken on social justice, environmental and economic issues that our party has been equally outraged over”, Sweeney concluded.
“Pope Francis’s encouraging words and efforts to address climate change, his implicit opposition to fracking, his care and respect for people of all nations and his criticism of the ‘cheerful recklessness’ of pure unregulated capitalism show that we share mutual goals in these important areas”, said GPPA Steering Committee member David Ochmanowicz Jr.
The Green Party of Pennsylvania is an independent political party that stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. The Green Party of Pennsylvania stands for grassroots democracy, social justice, non-violence and ecological wisdom.