On the Press Reports of Green Activist Being Detained at Bangor Airport in Maine.

• Air traffic safety measures should not violate constitutional rights or be used to target political dissenters.

• Correction of erroneous information in press reports on the detention of a Green at Maine airport.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party organizers are attempting to confirm a report from sources in Maine that a Green was detained by officials at Bangor International Airport because of her political affiliation.

Greens support measures to keep air traffic safe during the current crisis, as long as constitutional rights are not violated and people who engage in nonviolent political dissent are not targeted. Numerous Green Party organizers and activists have flown over the past weeks without incident, and they have complied in every way with airport security measures. 

PLEASE NOTE: Recent press reports on the incident contained incorrect information about the affiliation of the Green Party member, stating that Nancy Oden is a "coordinating committee member" of the Green Party of the United States.  Ms. Oden is not a member of the party's Coordinating Committee (which consists of delegates from affiliated states), but of a different organization. 

The Green Party of the United States is the only Green political organization organized nationally as a party, in which at least 31 states are represented (with other states' memberships pending). It organized the Green National Convention in Denver in June, 2000, at which Ralph Nader was nominated to run for President, and is recognized among Green Parties around the world.

The Green Party of the United States has filed papers with the Federal Election Commission for recognition as a national party with national committee status, and expects an announcement of the FEC's decision within the next few weeks.  

Media inquiries about national policies and activities of the Green Party should be directed solely to the Green Party of the United States, through its media representatives as listed in the heading above. To contact state Green Parties, visit the Green Party of the United States web site <http://gpus.org> and follow the links to the state parties and their contacts and web sites. 

MORE INFORMATION

The Green Party of the United States 
http://gpus.org 


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