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Milwaukee to Host Green Party's 2004 Presidential Nominating Convention. |
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GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES Contacts: As attention turns to the Green Party in the upcoming presidential election, the Green Party of the United States has determined that Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will be the site of its 2004 Nominating Convention. Greens from three cities submitted proposals to host the 2004 Convention for the Green Party of the United States: Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Milwaukee. The convention was awarded to Milwaukee by the Green Party of the United States Coordinating Committee in the first round of voting. The 2000 Green Party Nominating Convention took place in Denver, Colorado. The name Milwaukee comes from the Algonkin, 'Millioki', which means "gathering place by the waters", a suitable name for a gathering of the nation's Greens. The Greater Milwaukee Green Party represents the bright future of the Green Party of the United States -- multi-racial, working class, and broad-based. Wisconsin is home to 18 Green elected officials, the second highest number among states nationally, and the highest per capita for a state anywhere in the country. Milwaukee Green Alderperson Don Richards and Social Development Commissioner Robert Miranda are Milwaukee's current Green Party elected officials. "The Green Party is thrilled to be going to Milwaukee for our Presidential Nominating Convention in 2004," said Anita Rios, Co-Chair of the Green Party of the United States. "Milwaukee represents the values that the Green Party stands for, and the Green Party in Milwaukee has been thriving because of that. We look forward to showcasing what Greens in Milwaukee and Wisconsin have achieved to the rest of the country in 2004." The working people of Milwaukee have a proud history of organizing for greater democracy, worker rights, civil rights, and peace -- all of which the Green Party continues to defend. The celebration of May Day as International Workers Day has its roots in the struggles of 19th century immigrant workers in Milwaukee's Bay View community, and specifically in the Bay View massacre of 1886. "We are so excited to host the 2004 Green Party of the United States Presidential Nominating Convention", said Ruth Trujillo, Co-Chair of the Greater Milwaukee Green Party, and Wisconsin delegate to the national party. "Wisconsin has a strong progressive tradition and we are proud to continue that tradition." The Republican Party was founded as an abolitionist, pro-suffrage party in Ripon, Wisconsin in the 1850s. The Progressive Party had its hay day under the leadership of Fighting Bob and Belle La Follette. The North American Green movement was co-founded by Anishinabe (Chippewa) leader Walter Bressette, a Red Cliff Wisconsin activist. Furthermore, Milwaukee, Wisconsin served as home to three generations of Socialist Party elected officials, ending in 1956 with the completion of Frank Zeidler's last term as Mayor. That progressive tradition lives on today in the Wisconsin Green Party. The convention will take place in late June or early July, 2004. During the convention, the Green Party candidates for the offices of President and Vice-President of the United States will be nominated, and the Green Party's 2004 Platform will be adopted. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Greater Milwaukee Green Party Proposal for 2004
Convention www.BrewCity2004.org |