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New College of California hosts Green Party Panel Discussion
San Francisco
December 28, 2006
Wide-ranging discussion among progressives and Greens in the Mission spurs ideas and cements bonds.
Panelists concur: Put pressure on Pelosi. Impeach Bush or get him to resign. Get the U.S. out of Iraq. Put people before corporations. More:
December 28, 2006
Wide-ranging discussion among progressives and Greens in the Mission spurs ideas and cements bonds.
Panelists concur: Put pressure on Pelosi. Impeach Bush or get him to resign. Get the U.S. out of Iraq. Put people before corporations. More:
![roxie_cinema.png](/uploads/2006/12/29/roxie_cinema.png)
Ralph Nader joined Bay Area Green Party leaders Gayle McLaughlin, Ross Mirkarimi, and Matt Gonzalez this evening in a public forum hosted by the New College of California at the Roxie Cinema in the Mission District of San Francisco. Peter Camejo had been expected to appear, but did not because he was ill. (Other notable Green Party leaders, Todd Chretien, Laura Wells, Forrest Hill and Krissy Keefer, if present, did not participate in the panel discussion).
With a new Democratic Party majority in Washington in mind, past New College President Peter Gabel told the standing-room only audience that the main topic of the discussion would be about how to answer the question "what do Greens have to offer at the present hopeful moment?"
Ralph Nader, aloof from inner Green party politics since 2004, but still identified clearly as the epitome of Green leadership in the eyes of many in the audience, spoke first. His opening words were about how "persistence has become a rare commodity" today and how grateful he is that there are still people who refuse to become demoralized.
Of course, it is Nader himself who has never become demoralized or given up. Looking less haggard and a bit more relaxed than he did in '04 when he had kept a grueling campaign schedule, he lectured the audience this evening on familiar themes: American poverty, war and the Pentagon budget, problems with the media, crises of democracy, and corporate corruption.
If Nader's prime intent this evening was to help "grow the Green Party"-- he wasn't explicit. However, he offered much in the way of practical advice for anyone interested in effecting positive change in the world at this time. "Change doesn't occur unless activity crosses into the political arena," he said, intimating that such activity requires civic motivation and a thick skin. He described how Congress lives "in a bubble," but may yet heed the demands of the grass roots if it puts pressure on it. San Franciscans especially have a good opportunity to pressure their congresswoman, Nancy Pelosi, who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives. "It's not like the Speaker is from Birmingham, Alabama," Nader chided. "She represents San Francisco, the most antiwar city in the nation."
Attorney and popular former San Francisco City Supervisor Matt Gonzalez followed Ralph Nader in addressing the audience. He described how he initially shared the optimism of many who were elated when Democrats seized Congress and the Senate in the November elections. However, he said, the more he got to thinking about it, he came to believe that such aspirations for change where mostly "phony" and "misplaced." He said that too often too many people's opinions drift along with the latest polls. He described the challenge of reinvigorating the Green Party: In 2000 people were excited by it, but by 2004 many people's minds were closed to it. "We need to get people hungry for ideas," he said. He challenged Democrats to stand up for election reform, and asked that they defend third parties that are unfairly discriminated against by election laws.
Ross Mirkarimi, District 5 Supervisor in San Francisco, followed. He expressed his pleasure for being invited, and extolled Green Party victories in the Bay area: in particular, Jane Kim's School Board victory in San Francisco and Gayle McLaughlin's mayoral win in Richmond, California.
He described how being a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is a job he "absolutely" loves, but how being also a member of the Green Party brings with it unique challenges. He confessed that he asks himself, "What is the longevity of the Green Party in a country inhospitable to third parties?" He then described the vagaries of Green Party popularity over the years, which will end, he thinks, if Green Party politicians can point to practical accomplishments-- a branding of sorts that builds confidence from citizens that Greens are to be trusted to respond to their needs constructively. Bringing up an idea that Matt Gonzalez concurred with later, Mirkarimi declared that far many politicians are adept at diffusing conflict by being good listeners and holding lofty meetings-- but fail to actually get anything done for their constituents.
Mirkarimi concluded by saying that he held greater faith in ideas of populism than in progressivism, with the word "progressive" itself becoming a weary label.
Gayle McLaughlin followed, and clearly identified herself as a populist interested in bridging interests through collective action and affirmation of universal identities. She described how meeting Ralph Nader for the first time by sharing the podium with him this evening made this a very "big day" for her. She briefly described how her motive for running for mayor in Richmond, California was not to simply win an election. She said she wanted to do something to empower people around her and actually improve the quality of life in her city. Her goal as mayor, she said, is to bring dis-empowered people in her city together to gain control over their own lives. She described how Chevron (with plants in Richmond) bankrolled her opponents and did everything it could to defeat her. She said she reacted by reaching out to citizens and telling them that "Corporations can't run Richmond. People can run Richmond."
McLaughlin said for the Green Party to become successful, it is not enough that the party's membership grow in numbers-- but that its members grow in the strength of their commitment and solidarity with each other.
The audience responded very enthusiastically to McLaughlin's passionate and heartfelt delivery.
Following the panel members' individual addresses, Peter Gabel facilitated persons who wished to ask questions from the audience. Many interesting topics were brought up, and the panel was thoughtful in their attentiveness and generous in with their answers and patience-- rather delightful when in too many public meetings someone runs around with a stopwatch, and those with eccentric specialties get short shrift.
Responses from some of the more notable exchanges between the panelists and the audience:
Ralph Nader described how civic leaders usually start with nothing but a passion to make a difference in their communities. He described a conversation with the Yale University Chaplain and activist, Williams Sloane Coffin shortly before he passed away. He asked Coffin for advice about invigorating the Peace Movement against the War in Iraq. Coffin told him that it should occupy congressional offices and implement nonviolent civil disobedience. "Nonviolent civil disobedience is uncomfortable," Nader told the audience, "it un-locks whatever is inside."
Ross Mirkirimi described how Public Power is a key issue for San Francisco which repercusses with global energy issues and war in the Middle East.
Matt Gonzalez and Gayle McLaughlin expounded upon Mirkirimi's earlier comments. About the need for Greens to succeed locally, Gayle Mclaughlin commented (paraphrasing), "People often just need to be heard. They don't need a dog and pony show. We need to actually listen. We are social creatures. We need to honor the dialog we bring to one another."
One person in the audience took issue with Ralph Nader's criticism of corporations. She asked, "Do you mean that corporations are essentially evil?"
Nader replied, "If they are not subordinated to human beings they become criminal."
Nader and others expressed a need to start a local "watchdog" group to keep track of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi to hold her to account for her policies. One person in the audience asked, "Why concentrate on Pelosi?"
Nader answered, "Because Nancy has the power."
One person described their frustration trying to raise money from Greens. Nader laughed: "It's like getting water out of stone. I have had to go to extremes of exhibitionism." He described how Cliff Thornton had told him that his self-run gubernatorial campaign in Connecticut was a success because it raised $25,000. Nader exclaimed, "$25,000! In one of the richest states in the union?"
Other panelists concurred with the need to fund campaigns better. One idea put forward was to open a Green Party office in California with "a full-time office and a full-time staff." Gayle McLaughlin stated that Greens need to keep "pushing for public financing."
After almost three hours, the discussions ended, with some persons lingering to have Ralph Nader's book, The Good Fight autographed. Medea Benjamin, who ran for the U.S. Senate as a Green in 2000, circulated information about Code Pink's New Year's Eve Party which expects to include Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, Kevin Danaher, Dave Eggers, Daniel Ellsberg, Jodie Evans, Van Jones, Matt Gonzalez, Paul Hawken, Assemblyman Mark Leno, Supervisor Ross Mirkirimi, Belvie Rooks, Mark Sanchez, Cindy Sheehan, Jill Sobule, and Elizabeth De La Vega.
Please direct corrections or other observations about this story to the comments section below.
Useful links:
Ralph Nader
http://www.nader.org/
Ross Mirkarimi
http://www.sfgov.org/site/bdsupvrs_index.asp?id=29087
Matt Gozalez
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Gonzalez
Gayle McLaughlin
http://www.gaylemclaughlin.net/
Peter Camejo
http://www.votecamejo.com/index.html
Jane Kim
http://www.janekim.org/
Other
http://www.newcollege.edu/
http://www.counterpunch.org/nader04152006.html
http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780060756048/The_Good_Fight/index.aspx
San Francisco Green Party
With a new Democratic Party majority in Washington in mind, past New College President Peter Gabel told the standing-room only audience that the main topic of the discussion would be about how to answer the question "what do Greens have to offer at the present hopeful moment?"
Ralph Nader, aloof from inner Green party politics since 2004, but still identified clearly as the epitome of Green leadership in the eyes of many in the audience, spoke first. His opening words were about how "persistence has become a rare commodity" today and how grateful he is that there are still people who refuse to become demoralized.
Of course, it is Nader himself who has never become demoralized or given up. Looking less haggard and a bit more relaxed than he did in '04 when he had kept a grueling campaign schedule, he lectured the audience this evening on familiar themes: American poverty, war and the Pentagon budget, problems with the media, crises of democracy, and corporate corruption.
If Nader's prime intent this evening was to help "grow the Green Party"-- he wasn't explicit. However, he offered much in the way of practical advice for anyone interested in effecting positive change in the world at this time. "Change doesn't occur unless activity crosses into the political arena," he said, intimating that such activity requires civic motivation and a thick skin. He described how Congress lives "in a bubble," but may yet heed the demands of the grass roots if it puts pressure on it. San Franciscans especially have a good opportunity to pressure their congresswoman, Nancy Pelosi, who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives. "It's not like the Speaker is from Birmingham, Alabama," Nader chided. "She represents San Francisco, the most antiwar city in the nation."
Attorney and popular former San Francisco City Supervisor Matt Gonzalez followed Ralph Nader in addressing the audience. He described how he initially shared the optimism of many who were elated when Democrats seized Congress and the Senate in the November elections. However, he said, the more he got to thinking about it, he came to believe that such aspirations for change where mostly "phony" and "misplaced." He said that too often too many people's opinions drift along with the latest polls. He described the challenge of reinvigorating the Green Party: In 2000 people were excited by it, but by 2004 many people's minds were closed to it. "We need to get people hungry for ideas," he said. He challenged Democrats to stand up for election reform, and asked that they defend third parties that are unfairly discriminated against by election laws.
Ross Mirkarimi, District 5 Supervisor in San Francisco, followed. He expressed his pleasure for being invited, and extolled Green Party victories in the Bay area: in particular, Jane Kim's School Board victory in San Francisco and Gayle McLaughlin's mayoral win in Richmond, California.
He described how being a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is a job he "absolutely" loves, but how being also a member of the Green Party brings with it unique challenges. He confessed that he asks himself, "What is the longevity of the Green Party in a country inhospitable to third parties?" He then described the vagaries of Green Party popularity over the years, which will end, he thinks, if Green Party politicians can point to practical accomplishments-- a branding of sorts that builds confidence from citizens that Greens are to be trusted to respond to their needs constructively. Bringing up an idea that Matt Gonzalez concurred with later, Mirkarimi declared that far many politicians are adept at diffusing conflict by being good listeners and holding lofty meetings-- but fail to actually get anything done for their constituents.
Mirkarimi concluded by saying that he held greater faith in ideas of populism than in progressivism, with the word "progressive" itself becoming a weary label.
Gayle McLaughlin followed, and clearly identified herself as a populist interested in bridging interests through collective action and affirmation of universal identities. She described how meeting Ralph Nader for the first time by sharing the podium with him this evening made this a very "big day" for her. She briefly described how her motive for running for mayor in Richmond, California was not to simply win an election. She said she wanted to do something to empower people around her and actually improve the quality of life in her city. Her goal as mayor, she said, is to bring dis-empowered people in her city together to gain control over their own lives. She described how Chevron (with plants in Richmond) bankrolled her opponents and did everything it could to defeat her. She said she reacted by reaching out to citizens and telling them that "Corporations can't run Richmond. People can run Richmond."
McLaughlin said for the Green Party to become successful, it is not enough that the party's membership grow in numbers-- but that its members grow in the strength of their commitment and solidarity with each other.
The audience responded very enthusiastically to McLaughlin's passionate and heartfelt delivery.
Following the panel members' individual addresses, Peter Gabel facilitated persons who wished to ask questions from the audience. Many interesting topics were brought up, and the panel was thoughtful in their attentiveness and generous in with their answers and patience-- rather delightful when in too many public meetings someone runs around with a stopwatch, and those with eccentric specialties get short shrift.
Responses from some of the more notable exchanges between the panelists and the audience:
Ralph Nader described how civic leaders usually start with nothing but a passion to make a difference in their communities. He described a conversation with the Yale University Chaplain and activist, Williams Sloane Coffin shortly before he passed away. He asked Coffin for advice about invigorating the Peace Movement against the War in Iraq. Coffin told him that it should occupy congressional offices and implement nonviolent civil disobedience. "Nonviolent civil disobedience is uncomfortable," Nader told the audience, "it un-locks whatever is inside."
Ross Mirkirimi described how Public Power is a key issue for San Francisco which repercusses with global energy issues and war in the Middle East.
Matt Gonzalez and Gayle McLaughlin expounded upon Mirkirimi's earlier comments. About the need for Greens to succeed locally, Gayle Mclaughlin commented (paraphrasing), "People often just need to be heard. They don't need a dog and pony show. We need to actually listen. We are social creatures. We need to honor the dialog we bring to one another."
One person in the audience took issue with Ralph Nader's criticism of corporations. She asked, "Do you mean that corporations are essentially evil?"
Nader replied, "If they are not subordinated to human beings they become criminal."
Nader and others expressed a need to start a local "watchdog" group to keep track of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi to hold her to account for her policies. One person in the audience asked, "Why concentrate on Pelosi?"
Nader answered, "Because Nancy has the power."
One person described their frustration trying to raise money from Greens. Nader laughed: "It's like getting water out of stone. I have had to go to extremes of exhibitionism." He described how Cliff Thornton had told him that his self-run gubernatorial campaign in Connecticut was a success because it raised $25,000. Nader exclaimed, "$25,000! In one of the richest states in the union?"
Other panelists concurred with the need to fund campaigns better. One idea put forward was to open a Green Party office in California with "a full-time office and a full-time staff." Gayle McLaughlin stated that Greens need to keep "pushing for public financing."
After almost three hours, the discussions ended, with some persons lingering to have Ralph Nader's book, The Good Fight autographed. Medea Benjamin, who ran for the U.S. Senate as a Green in 2000, circulated information about Code Pink's New Year's Eve Party which expects to include Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, Kevin Danaher, Dave Eggers, Daniel Ellsberg, Jodie Evans, Van Jones, Matt Gonzalez, Paul Hawken, Assemblyman Mark Leno, Supervisor Ross Mirkirimi, Belvie Rooks, Mark Sanchez, Cindy Sheehan, Jill Sobule, and Elizabeth De La Vega.
Please direct corrections or other observations about this story to the comments section below.
Useful links:
Ralph Nader
http://www.nader.org/
Ross Mirkarimi
http://www.sfgov.org/site/bdsupvrs_index.asp?id=29087
Matt Gozalez
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Gonzalez
Gayle McLaughlin
http://www.gaylemclaughlin.net/
Peter Camejo
http://www.votecamejo.com/index.html
Jane Kim
http://www.janekim.org/
Other
http://www.newcollege.edu/
http://www.counterpunch.org/nader04152006.html
http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780060756048/The_Good_Fight/index.aspx
San Francisco Green Party
For more information:
http://www.sfgreenparty.org/
![books_on_sale.png](/uploads/2006/12/29/books_on_sale.png)
![ross_mirkarimi_and_matt_gonzalez.png](/uploads/2006/12/29/ross_mirkarimi_and_matt_gonzalez.png)
![ralph_nader.png](/uploads/2006/12/29/ralph_nader.png)
![matt_gonzalez.png](/uploads/2006/12/29/matt_gonzalez.png)
![nader_fan_gets_book.png](/uploads/2006/12/29/nader_fan_gets_book.png)
![panelists.png](/uploads/2006/12/29/panelists.png)
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I was at this talk last night and I have to say this report is damn good. It really captures what was said at the Roxie by the speakers and the audience.
My only complaint about the forum is that the moderator from New College did not give nearly enough time for comments and questions from the audience. It irked me that when the moderator was just about to open the session to audience questions, he himself posed a question.
If there's a follow up meeting to last night, the organizers should more thought into letting the audience have a voice.
My only complaint about the forum is that the moderator from New College did not give nearly enough time for comments and questions from the audience. It irked me that when the moderator was just about to open the session to audience questions, he himself posed a question.
If there's a follow up meeting to last night, the organizers should more thought into letting the audience have a voice.
For more information:
http://petrelisfiles.com
[note: "submarined?" Doesn't Nader mean "torpedoed"? Pelosi needs watching-- so good luck Medea... however, if we see Kucinich sitting down for Hillary Clinton in 2008 thanks to misguided efforts... shame if you fool us again.]
December 30 / 31, 2006
Taking on Chevron and Pelosi
http://www.counterpunch.org
The Prospects for Progressive Politics
By RALPH NADER
San Francisco.
It was a packed house at the historic old Roxie Theatre in this city's Mission District. A diverse group of citizens gathered here between Christmas and the New Year to listen and discuss the prospects of progressive politics following the Democrats' victory in Congress and the election of a Green Party candidate as Mayor of the troubled nearby city of Richmond (population 102,000).
Gayle McLaughlin--the Mayor-elect--demonstrated why she defeated Chevron (which operates a refinery in Richmond) and other corporate interests, winning decisive votes from the African-American and Hispanic communities that make up a majority of the city's population.
Going door-to-door since March, she and her volunteers conveyed specific improvements through a mobilized citizenry that hit home with the residents.
Matt Gonzalez, who narrowly missed winning the mayoralty of San Francisco in 2003 as a Green Party candidate, spoke of his decision to vote only for the candidates whose record and agenda he believes in, regardless of Party affiliation. Since leaving the Democratic Party in 2000, he would no longer be trapped into voting for the "least worst" major Party candidate. Mr. Gonzalez has a bright state-wide political future in California.
As an elected member of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors, Ross Mirkarimi--a long time Green Party leader--spoke of what it will take to create a new politics of sustaining vision with its feet in the neighborhoods and communities.
Introduced by Peter Gabel--former president of New College and a veteran leader in public interest law--I commented on the roles of citizens in the home district of the next Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.
I urged the audience to constitute themselves as a non-partisan Congress Watchdog organization to leverage, through their newly empowered Speaker Pelosi, the start of important changes for our country, led by an end to the U.S. war-quagmire in Iraq and fundamental corporate reforms.
Clipboards were passed through the aisles for people to sign up and many did. It was an enthusiastic, uplifting gathering with more than a few seasoned citizen activists in attendance, as the discussion period showed.
One of them, Medea Benjamin, quickly took responsibility to get this watchdog effort off the ground. Known nationally as a demonstrative peace activist against the Iraq war, Ms. Benjamin is a cunning counterweight to the war-mongering and corporate pressures sure to come down on Speaker Pelosi.
If Medea Benjamin were to have a middle name, it would be Medea "here, there and everywhere" Benjamin. In 2004, she submarined the head of the California Green Party, Peter Camejo, splitting his delegation and providing the critical votes at the Green Party Convention to a nominee she supported precisely because he would receive only a few votes, while she urged Greens to vote for John Kerry in the close states.
She then played a shadowy role with the Democrats in this close state strategy, while still protesting inside the Democrats' Nominating Convention in Boston against the war.
Speakers of the House almost never experience their districts' organized in any way to watch their performance, much less to press them toward more progressive agendas. Speakers get the expected free ride and very easy re-elections.
This tradition will be up-ended if Medea Benjamin and her associates become responsible for a growing progressive "Pelosi Watchdog" group in her backyard.
Speaker Pelosi should welcome such pressure because starting in January, 2007 all kinds of grasping commercial lobbyists will be knocking on her door looking to retain or enlarge their unconscionable privileges and immunities.
She would be advised not to turn her back on Medea Benjamin who is "here, there and everywhere" in more ways than one.
December 30 / 31, 2006
Taking on Chevron and Pelosi
http://www.counterpunch.org
The Prospects for Progressive Politics
By RALPH NADER
San Francisco.
It was a packed house at the historic old Roxie Theatre in this city's Mission District. A diverse group of citizens gathered here between Christmas and the New Year to listen and discuss the prospects of progressive politics following the Democrats' victory in Congress and the election of a Green Party candidate as Mayor of the troubled nearby city of Richmond (population 102,000).
Gayle McLaughlin--the Mayor-elect--demonstrated why she defeated Chevron (which operates a refinery in Richmond) and other corporate interests, winning decisive votes from the African-American and Hispanic communities that make up a majority of the city's population.
Going door-to-door since March, she and her volunteers conveyed specific improvements through a mobilized citizenry that hit home with the residents.
Matt Gonzalez, who narrowly missed winning the mayoralty of San Francisco in 2003 as a Green Party candidate, spoke of his decision to vote only for the candidates whose record and agenda he believes in, regardless of Party affiliation. Since leaving the Democratic Party in 2000, he would no longer be trapped into voting for the "least worst" major Party candidate. Mr. Gonzalez has a bright state-wide political future in California.
As an elected member of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors, Ross Mirkarimi--a long time Green Party leader--spoke of what it will take to create a new politics of sustaining vision with its feet in the neighborhoods and communities.
Introduced by Peter Gabel--former president of New College and a veteran leader in public interest law--I commented on the roles of citizens in the home district of the next Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.
I urged the audience to constitute themselves as a non-partisan Congress Watchdog organization to leverage, through their newly empowered Speaker Pelosi, the start of important changes for our country, led by an end to the U.S. war-quagmire in Iraq and fundamental corporate reforms.
Clipboards were passed through the aisles for people to sign up and many did. It was an enthusiastic, uplifting gathering with more than a few seasoned citizen activists in attendance, as the discussion period showed.
One of them, Medea Benjamin, quickly took responsibility to get this watchdog effort off the ground. Known nationally as a demonstrative peace activist against the Iraq war, Ms. Benjamin is a cunning counterweight to the war-mongering and corporate pressures sure to come down on Speaker Pelosi.
If Medea Benjamin were to have a middle name, it would be Medea "here, there and everywhere" Benjamin. In 2004, she submarined the head of the California Green Party, Peter Camejo, splitting his delegation and providing the critical votes at the Green Party Convention to a nominee she supported precisely because he would receive only a few votes, while she urged Greens to vote for John Kerry in the close states.
She then played a shadowy role with the Democrats in this close state strategy, while still protesting inside the Democrats' Nominating Convention in Boston against the war.
Speakers of the House almost never experience their districts' organized in any way to watch their performance, much less to press them toward more progressive agendas. Speakers get the expected free ride and very easy re-elections.
This tradition will be up-ended if Medea Benjamin and her associates become responsible for a growing progressive "Pelosi Watchdog" group in her backyard.
Speaker Pelosi should welcome such pressure because starting in January, 2007 all kinds of grasping commercial lobbyists will be knocking on her door looking to retain or enlarge their unconscionable privileges and immunities.
She would be advised not to turn her back on Medea Benjamin who is "here, there and everywhere" in more ways than one.
For more information:
http://www.counterpunch.org/nader12302006....
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/california/16351063.htm
Posted on Sat, Dec. 30, 2006
Mayor-elect shares stage with Nader at Green Party gathering
RICHMOND: McLaughlin urges event's audience members to recommit themselves to being active in government
By John Geluardi
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Green Party members welcomed Richmond Mayor-elect Gayle McLaughlin with thunderous applause Thursday night at San Francisco's Roxie Cinema.
McLaughlin -- a featured speaker at a forum titled "Greening A Hopeful Moment: Progressive Politics After the Democrats' Election Victory" -- took a seat on the stage next to Green Party totems Ralph Nader, a candidate for president in 2000, and former San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez, the 2003 mayoral candidate who nearly beat well-connected Democratic powerhouse Gavin Newsom.
"It's so amazing for me to be in such distinguished company and especially to be on stage with Ralph Nader," she said. "This is a very, very exciting day for me."
Also attending the event were former San Francisco poet laureate and lifelong activist Lawrence Ferlinghetti and founding director of Global Exchange Medea Benjamin.
McLaughlin, 54, won Richmond's nonpartisan election Nov. 7 to become mayor of a racially diverse city of 100,000 residents and the country's most prominently elected Green Party member. Richmond has been plagued by urban violence and environmental issues related to heavy industry mainly from the Chevron refinery, which occupies 2,900 acres on the city's western waterfront.
On Thursday, McLaughlin talked about the strong support she has enjoyed in Richmond and repeated one of the themes of her campaign, which is to work with corporations such as Chevron to pay more of their fair share to the community.
She also called for Green Party members and like-minded Democrats to recommit to government participation in a way similar to the Civil Rights and women's movements of the 1960s and 1970s.
"We have to grow in the depths of our commitment to each other," she said. "We have a connection of disempowerment under large corporations, and we have to come together from our gut."
Green Party members said McLaughlin's election has created a stage for the party to show that its principles can be effective in a troubled city and that the party's objectives are compatible with other political parties on the municipal level.
"Her election shows the trust she has gained in the community there," Gonzalez said. "I think she is going to perform quite well. I'm very excited."
McLaughlin was a newcomer to politics when she stunned Richmond politicos in 2004 by receiving the third-highest vote total among a field of 15 candidates for four council seats. This year, she surprised them again when she ran for mayor and refused to accept corporate donations. Her $28,000 grass-roots campaign was successful in unseating incumbent Mayor Irma Anderson, 75, whose war chest was brimming with more than $110,000 in contributions, mostly from Chevron and other industrial interests.
McLaughlin will be sworn in Jan. 9.
Posted on Sat, Dec. 30, 2006
Mayor-elect shares stage with Nader at Green Party gathering
RICHMOND: McLaughlin urges event's audience members to recommit themselves to being active in government
By John Geluardi
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Green Party members welcomed Richmond Mayor-elect Gayle McLaughlin with thunderous applause Thursday night at San Francisco's Roxie Cinema.
McLaughlin -- a featured speaker at a forum titled "Greening A Hopeful Moment: Progressive Politics After the Democrats' Election Victory" -- took a seat on the stage next to Green Party totems Ralph Nader, a candidate for president in 2000, and former San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez, the 2003 mayoral candidate who nearly beat well-connected Democratic powerhouse Gavin Newsom.
"It's so amazing for me to be in such distinguished company and especially to be on stage with Ralph Nader," she said. "This is a very, very exciting day for me."
Also attending the event were former San Francisco poet laureate and lifelong activist Lawrence Ferlinghetti and founding director of Global Exchange Medea Benjamin.
McLaughlin, 54, won Richmond's nonpartisan election Nov. 7 to become mayor of a racially diverse city of 100,000 residents and the country's most prominently elected Green Party member. Richmond has been plagued by urban violence and environmental issues related to heavy industry mainly from the Chevron refinery, which occupies 2,900 acres on the city's western waterfront.
On Thursday, McLaughlin talked about the strong support she has enjoyed in Richmond and repeated one of the themes of her campaign, which is to work with corporations such as Chevron to pay more of their fair share to the community.
She also called for Green Party members and like-minded Democrats to recommit to government participation in a way similar to the Civil Rights and women's movements of the 1960s and 1970s.
"We have to grow in the depths of our commitment to each other," she said. "We have a connection of disempowerment under large corporations, and we have to come together from our gut."
Green Party members said McLaughlin's election has created a stage for the party to show that its principles can be effective in a troubled city and that the party's objectives are compatible with other political parties on the municipal level.
"Her election shows the trust she has gained in the community there," Gonzalez said. "I think she is going to perform quite well. I'm very excited."
McLaughlin was a newcomer to politics when she stunned Richmond politicos in 2004 by receiving the third-highest vote total among a field of 15 candidates for four council seats. This year, she surprised them again when she ran for mayor and refused to accept corporate donations. Her $28,000 grass-roots campaign was successful in unseating incumbent Mayor Irma Anderson, 75, whose war chest was brimming with more than $110,000 in contributions, mostly from Chevron and other industrial interests.
McLaughlin will be sworn in Jan. 9.
For more information:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctime...
Maria Gilardin, the independent producer of TUC Radio has recently made quality recordings of this event available at her website.
edited mp3:
http://www.tucradio.org/0207nader2006.mp3
Extended recordings are available from Gilardin's website for TUC Radio:
http://www.tucradio.org/new.html
Homepage for TUC Radio:
edited mp3:
http://www.tucradio.org/0207nader2006.mp3
Extended recordings are available from Gilardin's website for TUC Radio:
http://www.tucradio.org/new.html
Homepage for TUC Radio:
For more information:
http://www.tucradio.org/
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