Green Party of California

Transcription

1 Green Party of California Platform 2002

2 About This Document This document is the platform of the Green Party of California. It is the product of many hundreds of hours of effort made by members of the Green Party from around the state, especially those who came together in the Platform Standing Committee of the Green Party of California. The planks were accepted either by consensus or by a vote of at least 80% approval at various meetings of the General Assembly of the GPCA since The most recent changes and additions were approved at the Los Angeles and Fresno meetings in Published by the Green Party of California 2002 edition Printed with soy ink on recycled paper Design by Alex Brideau III Layout by Jim Stauffer Any part of this document may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes only, provided that proper credit is given to the Green Party of California. Contact Information Green Party of California P.O. Box 2828 Sacramento, CA (916) gpca@greens.org About the Sunflower The sunflower is used as a symbol by many Green Parties around the world. In March 1983, 27 newly elected Die Grünen (Green) members of the West German Parliament, the Bundestag, entered the parliament building wearing bright colors and carrying sunflowers.the sunflower which grows rapidly and produces many seeds became the symbol of the new party. Pictures of the event were carried in the media around the world and helped inspire others in the U.S. and other places to begin organizing green movements in their own countries. Since then, more than 75 Green Parties have been organized on every continent of the planet except Antarctica, making the Greens the fastest growing political movement in the world. Green Parties all share four basic principles or pillars Ecological Wisdom, Social Justice, Grassroots Democracy, and Nonviolence.

3 Table of Contents The Ten Key Values of the Green Party 3 The Political Vision Of The Green Party 5 Ecology and Earth Stewardship 7 Recycling Water Protection of the Atmosphere Ocean Protection Forestry Practices Organic Farming/Ecologically Sustainable Agriculture Biocides (Pesticides/Herbicides/Fungicides) Toxic Wastes Nuclear Contamination Energy Transportation Urban Land Use Wildlife Animal Farming Ethical Treatment of Animals Social Justice and Liveable Communities 25 Environmental Justice Human Rights/Civil Liberties Criminal Justice Affirmative Action Immigration Population Native Americans Women's Rights Reproductive Rights Youth Rights Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Rights Rights of the Physically or Mentally Challenged and Mentally Ill Public Education Arts and Culture Mass Media and Free Speech Health Care AIDS/HIV

4 Social Justice and Liveable Communities The society Greens are creating sees an intimate connection between our rights as individuals and our responsibilities to our neighbors, our communities and the Earth. The balance between our rights and responsibilities grows out of processes that promote the maximum participation of everyone in the decisions that affect our well being, our economic security, our social and international policies, and the way we live our lives. While much must be done in many areas to provide a decent and secure life for everyone, the key to these improvements lies in creating real social justice for all in a manner that will endure. We are committed to establishing relationships that honor diversity and that support the self-definition and self-determination of people. We will work to confront the barriers of racism, sexism, heterosexism, class oppression, ageism, and the many ways our culture separates us from working together to define and solve the common dangers we face. 25

5 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Greens support a holistic approach to justice, recognizing the environmental justice, social justice and economic justice depend upon and support each other. Low income citizens and minorities suffer disproportionately from environmental hazards in the workplace, at home, and in their communities. Inadequate laws, lax enforcement of existing environmental regulations, and weak penalties for infractions undermine environmental protection. Therefore the Green Party advocates: a Devoting greater efforts to full enforcement and prosecution of environmental crimes. a Funding environmental crime units for district attorneys in counties with significant pollution problems. a Imposing a moratorium on siting new toxic chemical or waste facilities in those counties with the highest percentage exposure to hazardous substances. a Not forcing workers to choose between a hazardous job, or no job at all. a Preventing communities, especially low income or minority communities, from being coerced by governmental agencies or corporations into siting hazardous materials, or accepting environmentally hazardous practices in order to create jobs. a Preceding the siting of hazardous materials or practices with public hearings, conducted in the language of those community members who will be directly affected. a Require corporations to observe a good neighbor policy that includes on-site visitations by a community watchdog committee, and the appointment of a neighborhood environmentalist to their board of directors in accordance with the CERES (California Environmental Resources Evaluation System) Principles. HUMAN RIGHTS/CIVIL LIBERTIES Recognition of inherent dignity, and equal and inalienable rights and liberties of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. Human rights address prejudices and inequities in society; while civil liberties address abuses by government. Even small abuses can collect into a slow erosion of liberties. The Green Party shall strive to secure universal and effective recognition and observance of the following: a The principles and spirit expressed in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights is an international standard that all nations, especially our own, must meet. a The right to liberty and security of person, and freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention, slavery or involuntary servitude. a No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or capital punishment. 26 SOCIAL JUSTICE AND LIVEABLE COMMUNITIES