Green Party visits Dykstra Hall

Monday, August 19, 1996

Group’s platform focuses on progressive activism, involvement of
young peopleBy Scott Stimson

Summer Bruin Contributor

A week after the Republicans finished their national convention
in San Diego, the Green Party came to UCLA to hold their first
national presidential convention.

They came with unshaven legs and faces, a "power to the people,"
anti-corporation message and a unified desire to protect the
environment.

The Green Party, founded in Minnesota in 1984, did not become an
official party in California until 1992. Monday will mark the first
time that the party has fielded a presidential candidate. The party
has its roots in "progressive activism for social justice, peace
and the environment," said Robin Barrett, a member of the Los
Angeles chapter of the Green Party from Manhattan Beach.

When asked about what the Green Party has to offer students,
Green Party member Mike Feinstein said, "Young people (in America)
are among the least listened to.

"Everyone should have a direct say in the societal discussion
that affects them and this includes young people. In fact, we have
a 26-year-old on the Santa Fe, New Mexico City Council and a
councilmember in his early 20s on the Arcata City Council here in
California," he added.

Feinstein himself is a Green candidate for the Santa Monica City
Council in the upcoming November election.

According to Feinstein, the party is growing in membership and
is not limited to the United States political arena ­ instead,
it is a global electoral movement with branches in 76 countries
including Mongolia, Palestine, Cameroon and Taiwan, Feinstein
said.

Closer to home, the Green Party has made itself clear on issues
concerning citizens of California. "The Green Party is against
Proposition 209, the use of nuclear energy, and President Clintons’
welfare reform bill," said Feinstein.

However, other political parties disagree with the Green Party
on the issue of affirmative action, saying racial and gender
preferences are discriminatory.

"The Republican view of racial and gender preferences
(affirmative action) in 1996 is that they are just as
discriminatory as they were in 1956," said Jason Steele, president
of the Bruin Republicans.

However, affirmative action policies fit nicely into the Green
Party platform, members said. "The four pillars of the Green
Platform are grassroots democracy, social justice, ecology and
non-violence," Barrett said.

The Green Party also alleged that the U.S. political process is
not fair, and is influenced by corporations. "The corporations own
the political system," Barrett said.

"The main focus of the Green Party is to broaden the base of
democracy and to decrease corporate power," she added.

But Steele disagreed with the Green Party’s view that corporate
America holds power over Washington. "It is laughable to say that
corporate America is the enemy; it gives most of us our jobs and
the means to make a living," Steele said.

"Groups like the Green Party base their platforms on abstract
principles and paranoia that is intended to frighten people,"
Steele said.

Despite their inclusive platform, some Greens feel that a lack
of diversity among party members is an issue that needs to be
addressed. "The Green party is not diverse, but in New Mexico the
Party is bringing in people of color who used to be loyal to the
Democratic Party," said Santa Fe, New Mexico Councilman and Green
Party member Cris Moore.

In contrast to the Democrats and Republicans, the Green Party
extends beyond the U.S. borders, giving the party international
recognition.

At a press conference Saturday evening, an international
gathering of Green Party members met in Dykstra Hall to address the
facts about how their party can influence the direction of their
respective countries.

"We come together knowing that the problems that the Greens are
facing here in the (United States) are the same ones as those being
faced by Greens everywhere," said discussion moderator Anne
Goeke.

PATRICK LAM/Daily Bruin

Green Gathering ’96, held at UCLA, featured many speakers
including Johan Hamels (far left), who addressed Greens during a
workshop Saturday titled "The International Green Movement."AMY
PENG/Daily Bruin

Green Party members speak their minds by wearing buttons
revealing numerous views.