Arenas Supporters Protest Lack of Debate on Peace and Poverty Issues

Pacific Green Party (Oregon) 
www.pacificgreens.org

Paul Aranas, PGP Congressional Candidate, Oregon 5th District
www.votearanas.org

*NEWS RELEASE*

September 05, 2006
Released August 31, 2006

Contacts: Joanne Cvar, PGP Coordinating and Aranas Campaign Media 
Committees, 541-563-3615
Paul Aranas, PGP candidate for Congress, District 5, 
503-873-0990

Aranas supporters rally in Salem; Protest lack of debate on peace and poverty issues

Paul Aranas, candidate of the Pacific Green Party of Oregon for Congresswoman Darlene Hooley's seat in U.S. House District 5, has found  himself stonewalled in his attempts to debate the incumbent on issues of  war, peace, and poverty. Backed by a group of anti-war and Green Party supporters, Aranas took his message to the street in front of Hooley's  Salem office in the hot afternoon of Aug. 28. Interrupted by honks and shouts of approval, Aranas joined Ross Bennett, secretary of Portland's Dignity Village, and Harry Kershner, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace, in protesting Hooley's continued support of the "war on terror" and its cost in lives and treasure, both here and abroad. 

Aranas is the progressive choice in Oregon's 5th District. A lecturer and doctoral candidate in International Affairs and Diplomacy, Aranas advocates for the victims of oppression due to unjustified war, illegal foreign occupation and the neo-liberal globalization that is devastating the poor people of developing nations. "We are no longer a superpower," Aranas asserts, "because we have  drained our resources in military and financial adventurism, while neglecting our most vulnerable citizens. Instead of engaging in war and demonizing our adversaries, we should find ways to make peace through cooperation and diplomacy."

Kershner pointed out that "the stunning failure of Israel to achieve its stated goals in Lebanon has resulted in the same responses by many Israeli "liberals" as we've heard from many Democrats referring to U.S. failure in Iraq; that is, it's not that it was immoral to slaughter, torture and ethnically cleanse innocents, but rather that it wasn't done the right way, or the cost to *us *is too great, or it didn't end with our victory."

Bennett focused on the cost of the military buildup to our communities, making the connection to the fact that one in three homeless persons is a veteran. "We can't even afford to support our troops when they return home from Iraq with mental and physical trauma incurred in the line of duty," he observed. "Where are our priorities?" After the rally, Aranas led his supporters into Hooley's office, where he presented his letter, co-signed by many of her constituents, repeating his challenge to a debate on these issues. Additionally, Aranas has signed the Declaration of Peace, calling for an administration plan by September 21 for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. District 5 constituents also turned in signature sheets for the Voters for Peace pledge to vote only for candidates making such a plan a major part of their platform.