Green Party publishes appeal to Black Lives Matter supporters

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
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For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, starlene@gp.org

2016 Green Presidential Nominating Convention, Houston, Aug. 4-7: http://www.gp.org/pnc-2016
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WASHINGTON, D.C.The Green Party has published an appeal to supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement, written by Margaret Flowers and James Lane, Honorary Co-chairs of the 2016 Green Party Presidential Nominating Convention.

The letter encourages “all people who care about protecting and empowering black lives to work with us to build political power outside the corporate duopoly through the Green Party” and invites Black Lives Matter supporters to attend the Green convention.

Excerpts from the letter are appended below. The full text of the letter is online here: http://www.gp.org/open_letter_black_lives_matter_supporters

The letter is addressed to Black Lives Matter supporters instead of the movement itself, out of respect for the movement’s nonpartisan nature and decision not to endorse parties and candidates.

Dr. Flowers is the Green candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maryland ( http://www.flowersforsenate.org ), as well as a physician and political activist. Mr. Lane is a media activist and Green candidate for Public Advocate of New York City in the 2017 election ( http://www.votejameslane.org ).

The convention will take place August 4-7 on the campus of the University of Houston in Texas ( http://www.gp.org/pnc-2016 ). Members of the media may register for credentials here ( http://www.gp.org/media-credentials ) as well as on site during the convention.

For more details about the convention, including a schedule of events, see this news advisory: http://www.gp.org/green_party_will_keep_the_political_revolution_going

An Open Letter to Black Lives Matter Supporters from the Green Party Presidential Convention Co-Chairs (excerpted):

In her recent keynote speech at the Personal Democracy Forum in New York City, Alicia Garza called out both the Democratic and Republican parties for failing to halt the growing hatred and inequality that target people of color in the United States and, we would add, around the world. Alicia noted the need to build power on many fronts, socially, economically and politically, in order to confront the status quo and create a world in which black and brown lives are valued.

We agree wholeheartedly with Alicia and the many courageous people who are struggling to end racist policies that perpetrate violence on black and brown communities through redlining, gentrification, disinvestment, criminalization, the drug war, mass incarceration, and more. We agree that we must disrupt the status quo and work together to build a new democracy in which black lives matter.

We invite all people who care about protecting and empowering black lives to work with us to build political power outside the corporate duopoly through the Green Party. The Green Party has been building political infrastructure at the grassroots level and nationwide for the past twenty years. Our candidates and leadership from the local to national levels reflect the diversity of the party. Our processes are rooted in democracy…

We also encourage you to get involved in the party and run for office at the federal, state, or local level… We want you to know that should you choose it, you will find a political home in the Green Party where we will work together for the changes we so desperately need.

Margaret Flowers and James Lane
Honorary Co-chairs of the 2016 Green Party Presidential Nominating Convention

See also:

Green Party blasts “felony lynching” conviction of Black Lives Matter organizer
Press release: Green Party of the United States, June 6, 2016
http://www.gp.org/green_party_blasts_felony_lynching_conviction_of_black_lives_matter_organizer

Green Party endorses March for Our Lives in Philadelphia on July 25 during the Democratic convention
Press release: Green Party of the United States, May 23, 2016
http://www.gp.org/green_party_endorses_march_for_our_lives_in_philadelphia_on_july_25_during_the_democratic_convention

Green Party supports Black Lives Matter activists on trial for blocking a Los Angeles freeway, calls for charges to be dropped
Press release: Green Party of the United States, March 14, 2016
http://www.gp.org/green_party_supports_black_lives_matter_activists_on_trial

Greens to rally for racial justice at Ferguson Police Dept.
Press release: Green Party of the United States, July 17, 2015
http://www.gp.org/greens_rally_for_racial_justice_in_ferguson

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