[GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE: 2008 Green Convention highlights Ill. Greens' ballot access achievement

[Green Party of California Updates]

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Friday, June 27, 2008



The 2008 Green National Convention in Chicago will highlight Illinois
Greens' triumph over ballot access obstruction

• 2006 Illinois Green gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney will host a forum
for Green presidential candidates, Friday, July 11

• Convention site recalls the dramatic 1968 Democratic Convention and street
protests

• Media credentialing page for the Green National Convention:
http://www.gp.org/forms/media
Updated convention information and schedule:
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=68
Convention press kit: http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml
General information on the convention: http://www.greenparty2008.org
Green Presidential Candidates: http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml


WASHINGTON, DC  -- The Green Party, holding its 2008 national convention in
Chicago, will highlight the growth of the Illinois Green Party after
adversity faced by Illinois Greens in the 2006 election.  The convention, at
which Greens will nominate their presidential ticket, will take place July
10-13.

In 2006, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevitch spent an estimated $800,000 in
taxpayers' money in an effort to keep the Green Party off the ballot.
Illinois Greens, however, overcame attempts by the state's Democratic
establishment to disqualify candidates.

Green gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney drew over 10% of the vote in
2006, losing the race but guaranteeing Greens their place in future Illinois
elections.  This year, more than 50 Green Party candidates will appear on
ballots all across the state.

Mr. Whitney will moderate the Green presidential candidates' forum during
the 2008 Green Convention.  The forum is scheduled for Friday, July 11, 7 to
9 pm at the Palmer House Hilton and will feature the four candidates for the
Green nomination: Jesse Johnson, Cynthia McKinney, Kent Mesplay, and Kat Swift.

"The hostile efforts to keep Greens off the Illinois ballot in 2006 are
typical of actions taken by both Democrats and Republicans in many states to
limit the political field to two parties," said Budd Dickinson, co-chair of
the Green Party of the United States.  "The intense signature-gathering
campaign organized by Illinois Greens gave voters a real choice in 2006, and
will do so again in 2008 and 2010.  The persistence we've seen in Illinois
is the key to the growth of the Green Party as a force for political change."

Greens have faced and often overcome similar adversity in many other states
where Democratic and Republican officials have conspired to pass election
rules designed to hinder third party and independent candidates.

In 2004 and 2006, Pennsylvania Green candidates faced vicious tactics by
Democratic politicians and lawyers to block them from the ballot, in
addition to grossly unfair Pennsylvania election laws.  The states' rules
require Democratic and Republican candidates for President, Governor, and US
Senator to hand in 2,000 signatures to get on the ballot, while third party
and independent candidates must hand in over 67,000 signatures.  The Green
Party of the United States held its 2007 national meeting in Reading,
Pennsylvania.

For a complete list of Illinois Green Party candidates, visit:
http://ilgp.org/elections/2008-general/

Chicago Conventions in 1968 and 2008

The site of the 2008 Green National Convention commemorates the 40th
anniversary of the 1968 Democratic Convention, outside of which thousands of
antiwar activists gathered to protest the war and the nomination of pro-war
candidate Hubert Humphrey.  The confrontation in the streets of Chicago
between protesters and law enforcement erupted in a police riot under the
command of Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley.

"As in 1968, the United States is today mired in a war that began with an
intentional deception by the administration in power" said Sheldon Schafer,
Green candidate for Illinois' 18th Congressional District (Peoria)
(http://www.schaferforcongress.info).  "We've learned since 1968 that US
wars --  Vietnam, Iraq and possibly others -- are the product of  bipartisan
collusion, not just the party in the White House.  We've learned that
protest isn't enough, that we must replace those in public office with
people dedicated to global peace and justice."

"That's why the Green Party is so important in the 21st century, to change
our country's political landscape," said Mr. Schafer.  "In 1968, antiwar
protesters were outside the Democratic Convention, rallying in the streets.
  In 2008, Americans against the war will be inside the Green Party
Convention, some of them running for the White House and Congress."


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193
• 2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green
http://www.greenparty2008.org
• Media credentialing http://www.gp.org/forms/media
• Convention press kit: http://www.gp.org/committees/media/kit.shtml
• Video of Green presidential candidates
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/presidential-videos.php
• Links to Green Presidential Candidates' web sites
http://www.gp.org/committees/pcsc/index.shtml
• Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information:
http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
• Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
• Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers
• Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections


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