Greenmail, Volume 6, Number 3, October 2001

Nonviolence

Grassroots Democracy

Commentary

Miscellaneous

Upcoming Events

West Queens Greens general meeting, usually the third Sunday of every month, 7 PM, at 25-26 18th St. #1F, Astoria. 728-7372 (Gary Sandman)

Flushing Greens general meeting, usually the last Saturday of every month, 12:30 PM, at 36-09 Main St., Flushing. 888-7411 (Day Star Chou)

"Wildman" Steve Brill leads edible wild food walks most weekends in the spring, summer and fall. 291-6825

Willebrand Wins Green Mayoral Primary

Willebrand had planned to focus her campaign on five key issues: ending corporate welfare, reforming the criminal justice system, preserving and creating affordable housing, reforming the electoral system, and stopping the spraying of pesticides. But the events of September 11th changed her plans, and she will now also emphasize that security can only be achieved through peace. In her most recent flyer, she writes: "security -- in our city, our country, and our world -- will be best ensured by a U.S. foreign policy that is firmly based in non-aggression, democracy, and economic and social justice."

The primary was originally scheduled for September 11th, but when the scope of the terrorist attacks became clear, the election was postponed. A new election was held two weeks later on September 25th.

Julia Willebrand's campaign can be reached at 212-877-1127 or at www.juliaformayor.org.

Central Queens Greens TV Shows

Greens Condemn Terrorist Attacks and War Against Afghanistan

But the Greens in the United States also oppose a war against Afghanistan. War against other countries is likely to lead to more terrorism, not less. As Nader put it, "When are we going to learn from history? When are we going to learn that we can't bomb our way to justice?" The newly formed Green Party of the United States issued a statement that said, in part, "Indiscriminate military actions and acts of vengeance would only escalate violence and generate additional hatred." [complete text of the statement.]

Many Greens in the New York area have demonstrated against the war. The largest march to date, held in Manhattan on the day the bombing of Afghanistan began (October 7th), drew 10,000 people. It was organized by a coalition entitled "New York Not in Our Name."

[This issue of Greenmail also contains a statement by the Central Queens Greens, and a statement by the West Queens Greens on terrorism and the war.]

National Greens Seek Federal Recognition

The Association was founded late in 1996 after Ralph Nader's first presidential campaign. At a July meeting, the Association changed its name and authorized its lawyers to file a request to be recognized by the FEC. A different organization, the Greens/Green Party USA (GPUSA), filed a similar request in 1996 which was denied.

In a letter to the FEC, GPUSA's Coordinating Committee blasted the GPUS request as "fraudulent" and "an attempt to steal the name 'Green Party'." A proposed merger of the two organizations failed earlier this year. For more information, see the web sites www.gpus.org (GPUS) and www.greenparties.org (GPUSA).

Letter from the Central Queens Greens on Terrorism

We, the members of the Central Queens Greens, are shocked and saddened at last Tuesday's attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. In the midst of this disaster, we salute the brave firefighters, police officers and rescue workers who risked their lives to help others escape and who, in some cases, perished. Some of our friends have died, and we have not heard from others.

The criminals who planned, assisted and executed these acts of terror should be investigated, captured, tried, convicted and punished. There is no excuse for political violence.

To end the threat of terrorism, people around the world must redouble their efforts to achieve peace. Taking more security precautions, while necessary, cannot stop determined terrorists. And revenge, the exchange of one violent act for another, creates a never-ending cycle of violence. Just because thousands of New Yorkers have died does not mean that thousands of similarly innocent people in another country should be killed. We need justice, not revenge.

Although we are not certain where the terrorists are from, it is clear that as long as there are unresolved conflicts in the world, such as in the Middle East, terrorist organizations will be able to recruit soldiers and suicide bombers. The most important step we can take to stop terrorism is to increase the peace.

The four pillars of the Green Party are ecology, social and economic justice, grassroots democracy and nonviolence.

Position of the West Queens Greens Peace Committee on Terrorism

We deplore the heinous acts of murder that took place on September 11, 2001, and we mourn the lives lost in the tragedy.

While we join the condemnation of this and all acts of violence, we believe the United States must pursue every non-military means available as a response to this and all acts of terrorism. While we cannot begin to suggest how such a foe as "terrorism" might be brought to justice, we know that taking revenge on more innocent civilians is not justice. The threat and initial use of military force in the Middle East can only escalate tensions; therefore, we oppose the Bush administration's massive military build-up in the Middle East for practical as well as moral reasons.

We also believe that an examination of the root causes of the United States' strained international relations is long overdue and is necessary for an appropriate response to the terrorism of September 11.

In many ways, the United States has not acted as a responsible member of the international community. The U.S. must change inconsistent and undemocratic policies before expecting aid or assistance from other countries in its so-called "war against terrorism." In order to help diminish the atmosphere that fosters terrorism, we must address the conditions that permit the growth of such hatred. We advocate long-term steps toward achieving a more just, secure and peaceful world, such as:

• Canceling the Third World debt.
• Supporting alternative energies in the U.S., so as to alleviate our dependence on imported oil.
• Replacing military aid to developing countries with humanitarian and educational support.
• Ending the U.S. support of anti-democratic international agreements, such as NAFTA, the WTO, and the FTAA that allow international corporations to run roughshod over the rights of workers and democratically elected governments around the world.
• Paying the U.S.'s United Nations dues.
• Retroactively signing on to the Kyoto Treaty.

We dismiss the U.S.'s current militaristic action plan as dangerous, ineffective, and unlikely to end the destructive cycle of terror in our country and our world. We stand firm in our belief that the only solution to violence is peace.

Graziano and Chou Tie in Flushing Council Primary; Graziano Chosen By Committee

In the case of such a tie, New York's election law calls for the rules of the party to decide who wins. In keeping with the principle of decentralization, the Green Party of N.Y. State instructed the Green Party's local arm, the Queens County Green Party Organization (GPQCO), to make the decision. So the 14-member GPQCO met on October 9th for two and a half hours to consider the issue.

At this meeting, both candidates spoke and were asked questions. Chou, who is Chinese, said he had a strong connection with the Asian community and would advocate for Flushing's poorest residents. Graziano, a city planner, said his focus was to preserve the quality of life in Flushing by preventing overdevelopment. Both candidates have been active in the Green Party for years and support the Green values.

The members of the GPQCO voted by secret ballot. In the first round of voting, the result was seven to seven, another tie! The second vote was decisive: Graziano received nine votes and Chou got five.

The September 25th primary election was marred by irregularities. At some polling sites, Green Party voters were turned away because poll workers were not aware that the Green Party was having a primary election. Both Graziano and Chou lost votes as a result.

In the general election on November 6th, Graziano will face three opponents: John Liu (Democratic-Working Families), Ryan Walsh (Republican-Conservative), and Martha Flores-Vazquez (Independence).

Williams-Pereira Wins Queens Borough President Primary

The Borough President primary was unusual because no candidate was listed on the ballot. The only way to vote was to write in the name of a candidate. The reason for this unusual election was that Williams-Pereira filed an opportunity to ballot petition and no one filed a normal designating petition putting her or his name on the ballot.

Williams-Pereira had collected signatures on a designating petition, but many of her completed petition sheets disappeared mysteriously in early July. With time running out, Williams-Pereira decided to file an opportunity to ballot petition instead. The deadline for submitting an opportunity to ballot petition is one week later than the deadline for a designating petition. By signing an opportunity to ballot petition, voters request that an election be held in which voters write in the names of their candidates.

Williams-Pereira will face Democrat Helen Marshall and Republican Al Stabile in the November 6th general election. Marshall is also running on the Liberal and Working Families lines.

Green Party of the U.S. Statement on the September 11th Events

We extend our deepest sympathy to those most personally affected by these horrible events. We remember especially the injured, the loved ones of those who have died, the innocents who lost their lives in the midst of an ordinary day's work, and those heroic firefighters, police officers and other relief workers who gave their lives unquestioningly. These were our neighbors, co-workers, friends and family members. As Americans and as members of the human family, we are all irrevocably affected by this terror.

Green Party Urges Adherence to International Law

Greens fully support the right and obligation of the U.S. to seek justice. The complete disregard for the sanctity of human life displayed by the perpetrators of these atrocities must be countered by a just and lawful response. Justice is the goal and mark of a civilized society. Thus, we call on the United States Government to exercise caution and restraint as we form a response to these attacks. Indiscriminate military actions and acts of vengeance would only escalate violence and generate additional hatred.

Furthermore, a unilateral and military response, especially on the Afghan and Arab peoples, can easily be misperceived as an attack on Islam. This would undermine international support for the U.S., further fanaticism and terrorism and ultimately imperil the possibility of peace in the future.

Therefore, we believe that the September 11, 2001 attacks on innocent civilians should, in accordance with domestic and international law, be characterized as an international crime against humanity, not a war. A full investigation, undertaken with international cooperation, must take place before the President and Congress attempt to bring those responsible to justice. Accordingly, the identification of any perpetrator of these offenses and their supporters must be based on solid and credible evidence not by unnuendo or conviction in the media. A sound legal case must be made and brought to federal and international courts for arrest and extradition as necessary. American declarations of war inhibit rather than promote this international cooperation. Attempts to unilaterally seek redress through bombs and missiles, rather than a court of law, will undermine international law, and set back recent international successes in bringing those who have committed crimes against humanity to justice.

Accordingly, the Green Party specifically opposes any attempt by President Bush to wage war outside the scrutiny of Congress and the American public for whom they speak. The U.S. Constitution addresses war powers explicitly and does not, under any interpretation, allow a president a "blank check" power to wage war.

Greens Fear Erosion of Civil Liberties at Home

No matter who the perpetrators of the September attacks prove to be, unjust attacks in the U.S. or abroad against Arab-Americans, Arabs, Muslims or anyone else of Middle Eastern ancestry are unacceptable and un-American. Therefore, we encourage President Bush and other public officials to continue to denounce sentiments and behavior that target ethnic or religious groups in revenge for the September 11th attacks.

The September 11th attacks struck out at American democracy as well as the World Trade Center and Pentagon. By definition, terrorism opposes representative government, undermines civil liberties, and represses religious freedom and ethnic diversity. Therefore, our response to terrorism must not erode these very same civil liberties and constitutional rights. While we understand the immediate need for measure like increased airport security, we oppose any restriction on civil political dissent, which would, in effect, make democratic accountability a casualty of the September 11th attacks. Critical, open and honest civic debate about our past and future policy is essential to a solid and lasting democracy. We urge our fellow citizens to be vigilant in supporting our civil liberties, which are always vulnerable during times of conflict.

Long-Term Solutions to Terrorism and Violence Against Civilians

While there is never any justification for acts of terror against innocent civilians--indeed it is the quintessential act of dehumanization--the events of September 11th bring Americans the unique occasion to reconsider our government's role on the world stage. The Green Party calls attention to the fact that, even in the midst of our national anger, grief, and fear, the U.S. remains the most militarily powerful and influential country in the world at present. In accord with this and our identity as a leading defender of democracy, we have the obligation to act democratically and model moral and just standards for others.

Thus, in seeking to prevent further terrorist attacks in the U.S. and elsewhere, the Green Party urges our nation to reassess our government's policies and actions, which at worst, may have served to justify terrorism in the minds of our attackers and their sympathizers, and at least, may continue to be sources of frustration and anger for many freedom-seeking peoples around the world.

The Green Party asserts that a significant aspect of preventing future terrorist attacks on the United States is to insure that our foreign policy is frmly based on economic and social justice. Specifically, we call on the U.S. to end the economic sanctions against Iraq which have resulted in the death of over a half million innocent Iraqi children and civilians. We also call on the U.S. to insist that international law be strictly observed with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Furthermore, the Green Party of the United States urges our fellow citizens and people everywhere to view the September 11th attacks as an opportunity to call for an end to all violence towards civilians. As our platform states, the Green Party seeks strength through peace and asserts that security and liberty prosper together. While we recognize the need for self-defense and the defense of others who are in helpless situations, we trust that non-violence provides the surest road to peace.

Therefore, at this turning point in world affairs, we strongly urge President Bush to lead the world forward, toward a realignment of peoples and nations, not backward into an era of military and economic conquest characterized by endless violence. We can signal this new era with a declaration strictly banning the targeting of civilians and non-combatants and the use of weapons of mass destruction. This new era can be sustained by a rededication of our vast resources away from producing more weapons and towards eradicating the poverty, disease and ignorance that foster despair and insecurity for most of the world's people. Finally, we urge people and governments around the world to join us in the most pressing challenge of this new millenium: to create a culture of peace. It is in meeting these demands of peace that we will know what peace truly is. The deaths of over 6,000 innocents demand it.

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Make your check payable to the Central Queens Greens and send it to David Levner, 63-36 98th Place, #5J, Rego Park, N.Y. 11374.

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