PGPO Calls for Ceasefire, End to Occupation, and Equal Rights in Palestine
The Pacific Green Party of Oregon (PGPO) condemns the targeted attacks on civilians in the recent wave of violence in Gaza. We call for an immediate ceasefire, an immediate end to the invasion and occupation of Gaza, the absolute protection of civilian populations, and the respect for equal rights for all in the region. Seventy percent of the population in Gaza is comprised of refuges displaced at gunpoint in 1948, when Israel was established by colonial powers.
Hamas and Israel are deliberately targeting civilian populations in violation of the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which forbid targeting civilians and civilian objects such as homes, places of worship, and medical facilities, as well as hostage-taking.
The increased oppression of the Palestinians under the Netanyahu government has become even more heinous with Israel now cutting off electricity and delivering food, water, and fuel to the Gaza Strip, a violation of international humanitarian law prohibiting sieges on civilian populations. We urge all parties to cease attacks on civilians immediately.
The PGPO also urges media outlets to engage in fair representation of the conflict, noting that the Israeli government acts as much as a terrorist organization, with superpower backing, as Hamas. The indiscriminate clearing of Gaza will only create more hatred and instability, just as the invasion of Iraq did 20 years ago.
Greens Call for Governor Kotek to Act on the Promise of Campaign Finance Reform,
Campaign Finance Reform enjoys broad support in Oregon, in both Rural and Urban communities
Now that the dust has settled on the 2022 election, the Pacific Green Party urges Governor Tina Kotek and elected representatives to deliver on the promise to advance campaign finance reform. Over 78% of Oregonians voted in favor of campaign finance reform in 2020, establishing a mandate for reform. “The undue influence of money in elections is an issue with broad support, both in rural and urban communities,” points out Nathalie Paravicini, former candidate for Oregon governor.
Paravicini withdrew from the race for personal reasons, but not before getting a commitment from Kotek to support campaign finance legislation in the 2023 legislative session. While it is unknowable what effect a Green Party candidate for Governor would have had on final results, Kotek did make campaign finance reform one of her top priorities.
Continue readingPGP Calls For Change In Policy Toward Haiti
The Pacific Green Party (PGP) stand in solidarity with the Haitian people, rejects the Calls for Foreign Intervention in Haiti, and Demands that the International Community Respect Haitian Sovereignty and the Wishes of the Haitian People for National Self-Determination.
The current crisis in Haiti is not new; it started with the US government-supported coup that removed democratically-elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Since then Haiti’s rule of law has faltered, repressing opposition movements, amplified by the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of 2010 and followed by Hurricane Matthew in October of 2016. The UN also left a track record of abuses and a cholera outbreak that killed thousands of people and continues to sicken people across the country.
Another foreign military intervention will not solve the problem in Haiti. Haiti's problems will only be solved when the US cuts support to corrupt leaders, provide meaningful support to grassroots organizations and respect free and fair election results.
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