THE D.C. STATEHOOD GREEN PARTY
http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Contact:
Scott McLarty, D.C. Statehood Green Party Media Coordinator,
202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
Michele Tingling-Clemmons, Co-chair, Green Party Black Caucus,
202-397-2277, Mirico5@aol.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Green Party's national
Black Caucus and the D.C. Statehood Green Party issued statements of
support for gay, lesbian, bi, transgender, and queer (GLBTQ) African
Americans participating in the October 15 Millions More March.
The Black Caucus and D.C. Statehood Green Party
were among groups critical of the apparent exclusion of GLBTQ African
Americans by March organizers. Representatives of the National
Black Justice Coalition, the DC Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays
and others have expressed concern over a recent announcement that
March organizers have allegedly chosen an openly gay Black man to
speak from an organization that has not previously been involved in
this process, the Black Men's Xchange of New York City. On October 10,
the National Black Justice Coalition issued a more positive and
diverse list of recommended speakers
<http://www.nbjcoalition.org/news/nbjc-summits-speakers-list-for-mmm.html>.
While criticizing its leaders, Greens also
affirmed their general support for the March and its agenda, with many
planning to attend the event, which will take place in Washington,
D.C. The statements encourage participation in alternative and
inclusive events organized by African American GLBTQ leaders and their
supporters during the weekend of the March.
Greens will meet Saturday morning at Freedom Plaza
(Pennsylvania Avenue NW at 14th Street) at 8:00 a.m. and attend the
March with GLBTQ African Americans. For details on the Freedom
Plaza rally, titled "We Are Family", and related events,
visit <http://www.wearefamilyunityweekend.com/events.htm>.
"We in the Green Party nationally and the
D.C. Statehood Green Party locally strongly support the wider aims of
the Millions More March, including the rights of African Americans
whose lives have been devastated by Katrina and the failure of our
elected government to respond in a humane and timely way," said
Asantewaa Nkrumah-Ture, a member of the D.C. Statehood Green Party and
the Black Caucus. "We also support the focus on reparations for
African Americans. Unlike the Democratic and Republican parties, the
Green Party endorses reparations in its national platform. But we
can't remain silent about Rev. Willie Wilson's remarks or the enforced
invisibility of gay and lesbian African Americans in the March."
Greens noted the failure of Millions More March
leaders to condemn and dissociate themselves from Rev. Wilson's widely
published homophobic and sexist comments in a July 3 sermon at Union
Temple Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.
"When we're facing growing disdain from the
White House, Congress, and both major parties for the basic rights,
freedoms, and well-being of people of color, this is the worst time
for ill-considered, divisive, and bigoted statements," said Rick
Tingling-Clemmons, Black Caucus delegate to the National Committee of
the Green Party of the United States. "In criticizing attitudes
such as Rev. Wilson's, we affirm the need for unity among African
Americans at the Millions More March and the throughout the U.S."
The following statements were recently sent to
March organizers:
. Statement from the Green Party Black Caucus
On behalf of the Green Party Black Caucus, we
express support, solidarity and respect for our African GLBTQ sisters,
brothers and allies. We urge supporters to attend their inclusive
events October 14, 15 & 16; and urge the Millions More Movement
leadership to join us and reject sexism, homophobia and all other
forms of bigotry.
Michele Tingling-Clemmons, Co-Chair
Sundiata Xian Tellem, Co-Chair
Rick Tingling-Clemmons, National Representative to the
Green National Committee
DC Statehood Green Party Statement of Support for GLBTQ Alternative
Events, October 14, 15, & 16
The DC Statehood Green Party deplores the
exclusion of African GLBTQ sisters and brothers and their allies from
the Millions More Movement events scheduled for next Sat. Oct. 15 on
The Mall. The DSCGP fully supports counter events and urges the
Millions More leadership to reconsider their regressive actions.
MORE INFORMATION
The D.C. Statehood Green Party
http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org
Green Party Black Caucus
http://www.greenpartyblackcaucus.net
"We Are Family -- Unity Weekend": Black
LGBT/SGL community mobilization for the Millions More Movement to
commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Million Man March http://www.wearefamilyunityweekend.com
National Black Justice Coalition
http://www.nbjcoalition.org/
Events and news in connection with the Million
More March
http://www.nbjcoalition.org/news/index.html
