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The Green Party of New York State has a ban on endorsing Democratic and Republican candidates because those parties do not agree with the Green Party’s worldwide Four Pillars of Social and Economic Justice; Grassroots Democracy; Ecological Wisdom and Nonviolence/Peace.
Democratic and Republican Party insiders have taken advantage of New York State Election law to place their candidates on the Green Party line. Democratic Party candidate Adrienne Esposito will appear on the Green Party line in the New York Third (3rd) State Senate District which district runs along the south shore of Long Island from Brentwood to Center Moriches. In addition, Republican Party Huntington District Court Judge candidates Steve Hackeling, Walter Long, and Paul Senzer.
The Green Party Governor candidate, Howie Hawkins http://www.howiehawkins.org, has raised nonviolence issues to be addressed in this year’s State races. Hawkins and and his Lt. Governor running mate Brian Jones Condemned the Israeli War on Gaza. They support the International Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement
In response to the Israeli war in Gaza, the Hawkins and Jones released the following statement:
“We denounce Israel’s ongoing slaughter of the people of Gaza. Each day brings news of a rising death toll, with it a nearly 80% civilian casualty rate. This can hardly be considered an accident when Israel has targeted and bombed at least 46 schools, 56 mosques, and 7 hospitals. Gaza’s only Power Plant was bombed 3 times in a single night. Its water supply and sewage systems have also been targeted.
“As Governor and Lt. Governor of NY State, we can — and will — support the efforts to Boycott, Sanction and Divest from Israeli firms. New York State must divest from its financial relationships with the State of Israel until it ceases the systematic and ongoing violation of Palestinian human rights . This is a policy the Green Party of the United states has supported since 2005.
“Many NY State politicians — including Governor Andrew Cuomo — have leapt to defend Israel’s “right to defend itself.” But we cannot endorse a false equivalency between the blockaded and sieged population in Gaza and Israel, one of the most powerful militaries on the planet. It is unfortunate the Governor Cuomo and many New York officials turn a blind eye to the terrible living conditions, deaths and daily humiliations that exist in Gaza and the West Bank. The U.S.’s $3.1 billion in military aid to Israel each year is indefensible. Nor can we justify it when we consider what those billions could provide for our ailing communities, schools, and public transportation.
“Bishop Desmond Tutu, the Nobel Peace laureate, has criticized Israeli policies toward the Palestinians in the territories as “humiliating.” Bishop Tutu said: “In South Africa, we could not have achieved our democracy without the help of people around the world, who through the use of non-violent means, such as boycotts and divestment, encouraged their governments and other corporate actors to reverse decades-long support for the apartheid regime. Those who turn a blind eye to injustice actually perpetuate injustice. If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. It doesn’t matter where we worship or live. We are members of one family, the human family, God’s family.”
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Filed under: election, Green Party, long island, Long Island Politics, New York State Politics, News Tagged: | 3rd state senate, Adrienne Esposito, Boycott Divestment and Sanctions, Desmond Tutu, district court, Gaza, Israel, Paul Senzer, Steve Hackeling, Walter Long
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