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State News Release - October 11, 2002 |
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DC Statehood Green Party |
| DC Statehood Greens Rally for Full Restoration of Funding for Schools and Services. |
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THE D.C. STATEHOOD GREEN PARTY In front of the Washington Post, hip-hop music and a challenge: Instead of a taxpayer-funded ballpark, use the money to cover the budget shortfall, rebuild D.C. General Hospital WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "The Washington Post never seems able to find our candidates when they appear anywhere else in D.C., so we went to the Post's front door," said Gail Dixon, Statehood Green candidate for Ward 5 member of D.C. Council. Dixon and other Statehood Green candidates spoke at a press conference in front of the Washington Post on Thursday afternoon, at which they challenged District voters to reject the agenda and policies of Mayor Williams and the current D.C. Council, and to put Statehood Greens in office. The press conference began with 'Shadow' Representative candidate Adam Eidinger serving as DJ, playing music on the sound system set up on the sidewalk outside Post offices on 15th Street NW for the entertainment of Post employees and other passers-by. Some of the candidates insisted that, given fair coverage in the press, they'd have a realistic chance to win once D.C. voters heard the their message. All Statehood Green candidates for local office achieved double-digit percentages in the 2000 election. Noting that the Mayor and Council are about to commit $200 million in taxpayers' money to a baseball stadium (the ultimate cost will more likely be $400-600 million, according to an October 9 Post article), Council Chair candidate Debby Hanrahan demanded that "Mayor Williams and Council put that money back where it belongs -- to help cover the $323 million budget shortfall, and to restore funding" for D.C. Public Schools and libraries, the University of the District of Columbia, Interim Disability Assistance (including people with AIDS and other illnesses), the Housing Production Trust Fund, Tenant Assistance, and other basic needs. Statehood Green candidates also urged voters to learn about the party's 'Fair Taxes for D.C.' plan, which would compel D.C.'s wealthy to pay their fair share, grant relief to middle- and low-income residents, repeal the Tax Parity Act, lower the sales taxes on essentials, and provide a more progressive income tax structure. Michele Tingling-Clemmons, running for the At-Large seat on Council, reiterated the pledge of Statehood Green candidates to restore D.C. General, the city's full-service public hospital. D.C. General was dismantled by Mayor Williams in collusion with the Financial Control Board two years ago; Statehood Greens helped lead the public protests against the destruction of the hospital. D.C. Statehood Green candidates promised to return to the front door of the Post for future press conferences. MORE INFORMATION |
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State News Release - October 11, 2002 |
Home | Press | State Press |
