Hugh Giordano for State Representative

Green Night Out

mcleansammi@yahoo.com — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:32:26 +0000

Reminder from:		gpopnews Yahoo! Group

Title:		Green Night Out

Date:		Saturday, October 1
Time:		7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Location:		Singapore Vegetarian Kosher Chinese Restaurant, www.singaporevegetarian.com
Street:		1006 Race Street, Chinatown
City State Zip:		Philadelphia, PA
Phone:		215-243-7103 and gpop@gpop.org
Notes:		Green Night Out returns with speaker Jenn Bullock from PA Independents, www.paindependents.org. You will not want to miss this discussion about independent voters, open primaries and ballot access. When is the last time you saw an independent candidate on the ballot? Let’s discuss why. Independent Pennsylvanians is an association of voters that supports issues and campaigns at the local, state and national level designed to increase the visibility and power of the independent voter. Green Night Out is open to the public. Enjoy an endless supply of vegetarian, kosher Chinese food, an exceptional bargain for only $25/person. Please RSVP. Seating is limited. For more information, contact (215) 243-7103 and gpop@gpop.org.

Philly Greens Oppose Philly’s Stop-and-Frisk

mcleansammi@yahoo.com — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 01:17:51 +0000

OpEdNews, Monday, August 14, 2011

Philly Greens Oppose Philly’s Stop-and-FriskBy Chris Robinson.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Philly-Greens-Oppose-Phill-by-Chris-Robinson-110812-766.html

“‘My father said if you are ever stopped by the police, you say, “Yes, Sir — No Sir.” Tell the officer what’s in your wallet. Don’t, don’t make no sudden moves and don’t run. Just get through whatever the situation is,’ Nutter said. ‘Those lessons stuck with me.’” [See, Philadelphia Daily News, June 22, 2011, page 3.]

During 2005, Philadelphia ‘s police made 102,319 pedestrian stops. When Michael Nutter became Mayor of Philadelphia in 2008, he ordered an increase in pedestrian stops under a policy commonly called “Stop-and-Frisk.” By 2009, pedestrian stops by police had increased 148 percent to 253,333. Of that total, 72 percent of the victims were African Americans, but only 8 percent of those pedestrian stops resulted in an arrest.

I, for one, would like to know what we should call the other 92 percent of those pedestrian stops. Were those 233,066 citizens “harassed by the police?” Were they “intimidated by the police?” Or should we say, “Their rights under the U.S. Constitution were violated?”

The Green Party has a history of opposition to stop-and-frisk. Under the heading “Racial Discrimination,” the Green Party national platform says, “We condemn the practice of racial profiling by law enforcement agencies, which are guilty of stopping motorists, harassing individuals, or using unwarranted violence against suspects with no other justification than race or ethnic background.”

At a Philadelphia City Council hearing on December 14, 2010, Green Party leader Hugh Giordano, who had run for PA House of Representatives, made it clear that stop-and-frisk targets, urban, minority and young citizens. “This law is a form of Jim Crow law,” said Giordano, referring to discriminatory laws used to maintain segregation of the races. “It attacks a certain group of people, and the numbers and testimony shows it.” Giordano also criticized Philadelphia ‘s City Council for allowing stop-and-frisk to continue unabated.

One result of the increased harassment and intimidation ordered by Nutter was a federal lawsuit, Bailey v. City of Philadelphia , filed in U.S. District Court in November 2010. This class action suit charged that minorities were targeted by the police based upon their race and that stops by police were carried out without probable cause or reasonable suspicion.

This lawsuit was resolved out of court on June 21, 2011, when Nutter announced that he would sign two Executive Orders. At the press conference, Nutter said, “Law enforcement in an urban environment demands a close working relationship between the police, the community and the citizens, the people we work for.” Nutter continued, “The heart of that contract between the citizens and police is trust.”

Green Party Membership Secretary Carol McLean says, “This is precisely where Greens differ from the City of Philadelphia and its Police Department. Greens believe that the heart of the contract between the citizens and police should be the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures (4th Amendment) and requires equal protection of all citizens (14th Amendment).”

Now, some citizens are wondering if Nutter’s family homilies will be sufficient to prevent the violation of citizens’ Constitutional Rights by the Philadelphia Police Department in the future. Perhaps something more is needed. Green Party leader Giordano has a proposal to make in this regard.

Giordano says, “The members of the Philadelphia Police Department should be instructed to provide every citizen who is stopped and frisked with a copy of Citizen’s Complaint Form #75-561 (Rev.9/94). If that citizen believes he or she was harassed, intimidated or suffered a Civil Rights violation, they may then return the complaint form to Internal Affairs Division, Philadelphia Police Department, 7790 Dungan Road, Philadelphia, PA 19111.” According to Giordano, “Citizens who are stopped and frisked may also file a complaint online at www.phillypolice.com/forms/official-complaint-form.”
____________________

Chris Robinson is a graduate of Central High School (#219) in Philadelphia , PA. He lives in Germantown and is an at-large member of the Green Party of Philadelphia (www.gpop.org) City Committee. Chris Robinson is also a member of Northwest Greens, and the steering committee of Philly against War (www.phillyagainstwar.org).

________________________

Philadelphia Greens Elect New Leaders

mcleansammi@yahoo.com — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 01:56:17 +0000

Mount Airy Times Express, March 18, 2011, page 7.

Philadelphia Greens elect new leaders

The members of the Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP, www.gpop.org) met on the evening of February 24 to elect their new leadership. They also nominated Cheri Honkala for Sheriff of Philadelphia.

The Greens were greeted by Hugh Giordano, who ran for PA Representative (District 194) in November 2010. Giordano welcomed everyone to the “new, active Green Party, which is in the process of rebuilding,” and he offered his vision of “a Green Party which will make the Republicans and the Democrats irrelevant.”

The meeting, which was held at Crossroads Coffee House, www.crossroadsrox.com/content/menu, in Roxborough, then moved onto the election of officers, which was led by Charles Sherrouse, a Green from Oxford Circle (Ward 54), who explained that the GPOP City Committee has four officers and three members-at-large. After a brief explanation of the duties of each office, Sherrouse opened the nominations.

Chris Robinson, Germantown organizer for GPOP, then described how Giordano had put together an active committee for his 2010 campaign. “This group had varied talents and worked together well for ten months,” Robinson maintained. “Following the election, they continued to work together on an unofficial basis, testifying at City Council Hearings, issuing Action Alerts for Green Party members, attending neighborhood meetings, and writing for the local press.”

Robinson then nominated a slate of seven candidates for the GPOP City Committee. There being no other nominations, Sherrouse conducted a secret ballot, with members voting “yes” or “no” for each candidate. The following people were elected to be the local Greens’ new leadership.

•Chair Vivek Ananthan is a founder of GPOP and the treasurer of the Green Party of Pennsylvania, www.gpofpa.org. A resident of Northern Liberties (Ward 5), Vivek has retired from health-food merchandising. For the last 12 years, Vivek has been a member of the International Committee of the Green Party of the U.S. , www.gp.org.
•Treasurer Belinda Davis is a history professor who lives in Chestnut Hill (Ward 9).
•Membership Secretary Carol McLean is a quality-assurance representative at a local behavioral health hospital. She lives in Germantown (Ward 59).
•Recording Secretary Michael Nance is a graduate student from Cedar Park (Ward 46).
•At-Large Member Hugh Giordano is a union organizer from Roxborough (Ward 28).
•At-Large Member Zach Pelchat is a tutor from Point Breeze (Ward 36).
•At-Large Member Chris Robinson is a grocery clerk from Germantown (Ward 59).

The meeting was handed back to Giordano, who described how GPOP came into contact with Cheri Honkala, executive director of the Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign, www.old.economichumanrights.org/index. After describing Honkala and her work in glowing terms, Giordano nominated her as Green Party candidate for Sheriff of Philadelphia, www.cherihonkala.com.

Honkala then addressed the group, explaining that she had never run for office before but that this seemed to be the next logical step in her personal development. Honkala stressed that no one should ever face foreclosure or eviction because of the current depression. “The economic crisis was caused by the banks and financiers,” she said, “and there is no reason for homeowners to pay for the bankers’ mistakes.” She described how she had consulted with 100 of her mentors around the nation, and they had unanimously agreed that she should run for Sheriff of Philadelphia to end foreclosures. The Greens then approved Honkala’s nomination by acclimation.

Before leaving, Giordano explained to Green Party members that “this is just the beginning. Both the Republicans and Democrats began with people like us sitting around a big table. With a lot of outreach in the neighborhoods and with the help of Cheri’s campaign for sheriff, we will see the Philadelphia Green Party thrive.”

For more information on the Green Party of Philadelphia, please telephone 215-243-7103 or email gpop@gpop.org, For more information on Cheri Honkala’s campaign for Sheriff of Philadelphia please telephone 215-243-7103 or email cheri4sheriff@gmail.com.

________________________________

Mount Airy Times Express is a version of West Oak Lane Leader, both of which are published by The Journal Register Company, http://www.journalregister.com/products/. Since their newspapers do not appear on the web, there is no URL for this article.

Green Night Out with Thomas Paine Cronin

mcleansammi@yahoo.com — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 04:13:16 +0000

Green Party of Philadelphia
www.gpop.org

GREEN NIGHT OUT

Saturday, March 12, 7:00 pm

Enjoy an endless supply of

vegetarian, kosher, Chinese food.

Discuss how too many Democrats have turned against Labor
with Thomas Paine Cronin,

retired president of AFSCME District Council 47.

Please join us.

GREEN NIGHT OUT

will be open to the public,

an exceptional bargain

for only $25/person.

Singapore Vegetarian Restaurant
www.singaporevegetarian.com
1006 Race Street
Chinatown, Philadelphia

For more information:
215-243-7103 or email gpop@gpop.org.
_________________

Cheri Honkala for Sheriff

mcleansammi@yahoo.com — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 03:43:37 +0000

Join Us on Thursday, February 17, 10:00 am

Cheri Honkala, www.cherihonkala.com, will announce her run for the
Green Party nomination as Sheriff of Philadelphia .

718 Market St, Home of Casino Free Philly, 10:00 am

__________________

Cheri Honkala for Sheriff
Keeping Families In Their Homes
www.cherihonkala.com

Veteran Philadelphia Activist for the Poor to Run for Sheriff on No Evictions Platform

Cheri Honkala Says Appealing to the Banks to Restructure Loans for Families Facing Foreclosure Did Not Work So She Will Run for Sheriff and Refuse to Evict Families.
If Elected, Honkala Would Suspend Sheriff Sales of Properties Indefinitely.
Philadelphia , PA , February, 14, 2011—Veteran advocate for the poor and homeless, Cheri Honkala will announce her run for the Green Party nomination as Sheriff of Philadelphia on a no-evictions platform. Honkala says she is running in an effort to keep struggling Philadelphia families in their homes. Blaming bureaucracy in the current Sheriff’s office and a lack of accountability, Honkala says millions of federal funds secured to help families stay in their homes have been wasted. After appealing to banks to restructure loan payments for families facing foreclosure, Honkala says she was forced to run in an effort to stop people from being evicted.
“I’m running for Sheriff because something needs to be done to address the plague of home evictions being faced by too many poor and working families in Philadelphia,” said Cheri Honkala.
“If we lived in New Orleans or Haiti, where an act of nature made us homeless, rescue would be on the way. What about those of us who are made homeless through corrupt mortgage companies? Where is our justice?” said Rev. Robert Johnson, who lost his home in an illegal sheriff property sale. “I am supporting Cheri Honkala for Sheriff because she is a tireless advocate for people like me. Cheri will work hard to keep the people of Philadelphia in their homes.”
Honkala founded the Philadelphia-based Kensington Welfare Rights Union in 1991 to house and feed Philadelphia’s poor. In 1998 she launched a national umbrella organization called the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign to advocate for the human rights of people struggling with issues of poverty across the country.
At the next meeting of the Green Party of Philadelphia, www.gpop.org, members will elect new leaders and decide on the nomination of Cheri Honkala for Sheriff of Philadelphia. This meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 24, at Crossroads Coffee House, www.crossroadsrox.com, 6156 Ridge Avenue in Roxborough. All registered Green Party members should attend. For more information, please telephone 215-243-7103 or email gpop@gpop.org.

GREEN PARTY GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

mcleansammi@yahoo.com — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 01:42:12 +0000

All are welcome – whether you are currently registered as a Green Party voter,

or just want to stop by and find out more about the Green Party and what we are doing.

WHEN: Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 7:00pm

WHERE:      Crossroads Coffee House
                       6156 Ridge Avenue, in Roxborough
                       Free parking on Dupont St., above Ridge Ave.

AGENDA: Nominations/Elections to Green Party City Committee
Find out who will be endorsed on the Green Party ticket in the November General Election.

For more information, call (215) 243-7103 or email gpop@gpop.org

January 27 Green Party Meeting is Canceled

mcleansammi@yahoo.com — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:06:20 +0000

Due to inclimate weather, we’ve decided to cancel tonight’s Green Party General Membership meeting. We may reschedule for sometime in the near future or we may just skip it and meet in February. Either way, stay tuned for details.

Letter from Hugh to Union Leaders

mcleansammi@yahoo.com — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:47:19 +0000

On Friday, January 21, Hugh Giordano sent an open letter to union leaders asking them to consider running union representatives as Green Party Candidates for Philadelphia municipal offices this year. Giordano is an organizer for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 152 and a member of the Green Party’s City Committee. A copy of his letter can be found below, along with Giordano’s contact information.

___________________________________

Hugh Giordano

Union Organizer/Representative
UFCW local 152

267-243-7285

H-Giordano@hotmail.com

www.HughGiordano.com

…
Supporting the Democrats
and Republicans!

LET’S RUN OUR UNION REPRESENATIVES AS GREEN PARTY CANDIDATES FOR

CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE AND CITY COMMISIONER IN 2011!

Dear Union Brothers and Sisters,

My name is Hugh Giordano, and I am a fellow union representative for UFCW, Local 152. Many of you know me or have heard about me in my run for State Representative (PA House District 194) where I produced the highest percentage of vote of any third party candidate in a three-way race – beating the Republican in Philadelphia !

I produced this great victory because I stood for the issues, used basic union organizing skills, took NO corporate money, and had union support. Just imagine what I could have accomplished if I had all the unions behind me, the man power, and financial backing; I could have done so much more to defeat the CEO/corporate Democrat.

Although I did not win that election, I opened the doors for us, as a united labor front, to do great things for the future. We have a duty to do what is right and to fight back against the status quo. That is why we are labor leaders and chose this activist life. I use the word ‘activist’ because that is what we are supposed to be, NOT businessmen and businesswomen.

Before I get into the meat of this letter, I want to make a few quick statements that I will always say and continue to support. We, as labor leaders, have a duty to the movement, our unions, and the members to do what is right, not what is safe! We are not pawns of the Democrats and Republicans, and we owe them nothing. The two parties have not done anything for our unions and the movement. Most people in elected positions in City Council have never even been a union member! If you are a union leader and are afraid to support another party besides the Democrats because of retaliation – I suggest you retire and find another job! Sorry that I have to be blunt, but it’s the truth!

The two parties have sold unions out, especially the Democrats! They take our money, use our membership, and then leave us high and dry! They pass no legislation to help us organize membership, protect pensions, or stand up against the CEO’s and corporate attorneys. Why is this, you ask? It is simple; it’s because the Democrats and Republicans are infested with CEO’s, corporate consultants, and corporate attorneys. You can’t be a REAL labor leader and support the Democrats and Republicans… It’s a hypocritical move!

What can we do as labor leaders who care about the movement and the future of the Philadelphia unions? The answer is simple; we need to run OUR UNION REPS for City Council at Large and City Commissioner as Green Party candidates.

The Green Party, www.gpop.org, is a 100% pro-labor party that stands for workers to organize, pension plans, single-payer healthcare, and is against NAFTA, Taft-Hartley “right to work laws”, and wants to prosecute CEO’s and management that break labor laws. One of the greatest things about the Green Party is that they take NO CORPORATE PAC MONEY! It is a clean party that labor could take over and make it their own. If we make a coalition among labor unions, we would not need any corporate money. We can fund our own campaigns!

Running for City Council at Large and City Commissioner makes sense because no matter what, two ‘minority party” candidates for City Council at Large get appointed, and one for City Commissioner gets appointed. This historically has been Republicans, but IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE! It can be two Green Party candidates for City Council at Large and one for City Commissioner! Think about this for a second and you will say to yourself, “Why didn’t I think of this.” It’s okay; sometimes it takes a young union brother like me to bring us back to reality!

Don’t let your union brothers and sisters down! The time to act is NOW; not tomorrow. Help me and other progressive union leadership fights back and take back our city for labor.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Hugh Giordano

Union Organizer/ Representative
UFCW Local 152 and
Green Party City Committee Member.

P.S. STOP donating to the Democrats and Republicans. We need that money for our Green Party candidates!

Green Night Out

mcleansammi@yahoo.com — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:52:33 +0000

Green Party of Philadelphia
www.gpop.org

GREEN NIGHT OUT

Saturday, January 22, 7:00 pm

Enjoy an endless supply of

vegetarian Chinese food.

Discuss neighborhood activism with

Jasmine Rivera, organizer for Action United.

Please join us.

GREEN NIGHT OUT

will be open to the public

and an exceptional bargain

for only $25/person.

Singapore Vegetarian Chinese Restaurant

1006 Race Street

Chinatown, Philadelphia

For more information:
215-243-7103 or email gpop@gpop.org.
_________________

Green Party Membership Meeting

mcleansammi@yahoo.com — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:49:35 +0000

GREEN PARTY OF PHILADELPHIA

Membership Meeting

Thursday, January 27, 6:30 pm

Greens will gather to discuss a
City Council ban on fracking for gas, a
national peace march in the Spring, and
new nominees for Green Party leadership.

Please join us.

This meeting is open to the public.

There will be no charge for admission

(a free-will offering will be accepted).

American Room, 2^nd Floor

Calvary Community Center

4740 Baltimore Avenue
(entrance on 48^th Street )

West Philadelphia

For more information:

215-243-7103 or email gpop@gpop.org.
_________________