State Green Party Press Release

Maine Green Independent Party Announces 2004 Presidential Nominating Convention.

MAINE GREEN INDEPENDENT PARTY
http://www.mainegreens.org

Monday, April 5, 2004

Contacts:
Ben Meiklejohn, Co-Chair, (207) 756-7684, greens@prexar.com
Heather (Betsy) Garrold, Co-Chair, (207) 568-3302, hgarrold@emh.org
Tim Sullivan, Convention Committee Chair, (207) 542-0696, sullboat@gwi.net

Celebrating Green Diversity and Growth

The Maine Green Independent Party will hold their 2004 Presidential Nomination Convention on April 17-18 at the Ramada Inn in Lewiston. The convention will choose the 19 delegates to the National Convention, June 24-27 in Milwaukee, to nominate the Green Party Presidential Candidate for 2004. Convention attendees will endorse a record number of candidates for Legislature, elect new officers to the MGIP Steering Committee, and elect a new Party Co-Chair and a Delegate to the Green Party of the United States. Changes will also be made to the Platform and Bylaws, and the 2004-05 budget will be approved.

"Our convention is one of the most exciting events of the Party, and this year's gathering in Lewiston should be one of the best conventions ever," says out-going Co-Chair, Ben Meiklejohn. "With both a record number of 23 legislative candidates, and also a record turnout of over 175 participants in our caucuses this year, it's possible our convention could be the biggest in our five year history."

In celebrating Maine’s diversity, the convention will open Saturday with a ceremony performed by Arnie Neptune, a Penobscot Indian Nation Elder and Spiritual Leader. After lunch, two speakers will talk about issues of diversity—Tracy Gregoire, Coordinator of Many and One, and Ismail Ahmed, Coordinator of the International Student's Organization of Lewiston-Auburn and a Somali refugee.

Co-Chair Heather "Betsy" Garrold states that "The themes of diversity and unity are ones that are near and dear to the hearts of all Greens worldwide." Garrold adds "We invite everyone into the Green Party fold so that we can all work together with a vision for a better, more peaceful and sustainable future."

Saturday evening will culminate in a special dinner celebrating MGIP’s 5th birthday and the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Maine and U.S. Greens. All are welcome to come celebrate as Maine Greens reflect upon the building of the Green Party in Maine, and look to the future of the Party and Green activism. Speakers include Matt Tilley, a Green since 1984, Pat LaMarche, 1998 gubernatorial candidate, and Ben Meiklejohn, outgoing Co-Chair of MGIP. Two awards will be presented: Green of the Year and a special 20-year service award. A silent auction will be held with items donated by local businesses.

Meiklejohn continues that "We expect a fine and grand celebration of our accomplishments of the last five years, and an energetic glimpse towards a promising future. With our momentum continuing to build, we are well-poised to offer a real challenge to our two opposing parties."

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More information on the Maine Green Independent Party is available at http://www.mainegreens.org , or contact MGIP by email info@mainegreens.org or call 207-623-1919.