Green Party Member Messages of Support For Elaine
December 28, 2007
From: Leila McDowell, Virginia
“Protest against racism in the Green Party—Cancel My Membership”
...If I wanted to be just a liberal Democrat, I would have stayed in the Democratic Party. I joined the Green Party in the belief that it represented a truly alternative voice that advocated justice, equality, and peace. I was looking forward to contributing not just funds but also my skills as a long time public relations expert and former journalist. But instead I discover a party that is dominated by arrogant white men who advance the kind of racism that is antithetical to any progressive party, men who promote a platform of political accommodation to the ruling class and pseudo Democratic party policies. I find a party that attacks a respected and heroic leader, Elaine Brown, with spurious and unjust charges. I find a party that does not welcome me as an African American woman dedicated to anti racist and anti imperialist policies. Therefore, please cancel my membership. I have recruited several dozen people to the party over the past month and I will be informing them as well of this travesty so that they too can cancel their memberships.
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December 29, 2007
From: Peter Camejo, California
“MESSAGE FROM PETER MIGUEL CAMEJO ON ELAINE BROWN”
A. Gronowicz makes a statement in an email to Greens referring to Elaine
Brown: ". . .she might be a provacater (original spelling)." Such comments
are absolutely unacceptable. No one should accuse another person of being
an agent for the FBI or any other such group without being able to provide
unquestionable evidence. To do so only helps those who would seek to
destroy the Green Party and the progressive movement as a whole….
The idea that Elaine Brown is an FBI agent is so utterly absurd on the face
of it. What she is is exactly what she has done and represents herself as.
She has fought for social justice, tried to help people imprisoned
unjustly in our system, especially one child in Georgia. She has fought
against three strikes, the death penalty, for equal pay and rights for women
and people of color [emphasis added]. It is perfectly OK for
Greens to disagree with each other but the continued insinuations of Elaine
Brown being some sort of police agent must be repudiated publicly by all
Greens. The national leadership should make an unambiguous statement urging
all Greens to stop making such comments and all candidates seeking our
nomination should make their positions on this issue explicitly clear….
What has been done to Elaine Brown is inexcusable and must be refuted by
all. I for one wish to apologize to Elaine that such accusations have been
tolerated within the Green Party.
______________________________________________________________________________
December 28, 2007
From: Tom Cleland, Minnesota
Elaine,
The Green Party is so small, if you get enough delegates you can take it
over.
If you form a different party let me know and I will consider joining. In
the meantime the Green Party is all I have.
_____________________________________________________________________________
December 28, 2007
From: Kimberly Wilder, New York
“Oh, No! Sorry to hear your news”
Dear Elaine,
…I am honored to receive your communications. I have such mixed feelings
about your decision. I am sad that you will not be a Green Party
Presidential candidate. But, I am glad that, with your actions and with
this strong letter, there is something for us reformers to point to and say
to "the clique": "See, you screwed up, because you made us lose Elaine
Brown." And, I am glad that you released such strong words about what was
done to you and the problems inside our party….
I agree that there are Democrats inside our party. (There are clearly
Democrats among us, because some states do not have the possibility of
"Green Party" registration, so there is no monitoring who are Democrats, or
even Republicans. I fear we have a lot of plain Republicans who like trees
among us.)
Things are always difficult. Those of us who are sincere, and not tied up in
the corporate machinations and Democrat-funded think-tanks, seem to let each
other down, because we are all burdened with our own fears and frustrations.
The bullies tend to beat us to the ground, and then, not realizing how
beaten we are, our friends don't understand why we are not able to lend them
a hand as they get beaten next to us or after us...
Wish that you could have held on and positioned yourself and the timing to
entirely take out Brent McMillan as Political Director. I truly think he is
at the fount of a lot of the problems. And, what a coup if you could have
ejected him. Seems unfair to lose you, and have to keep him.
Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this party.
Ian and I have been totally awed, inspired and honored by being able to work
with you on politics. Please think of us when you need help, or have news or
projects you would like us to post at our blog. (We are crossing our fingers
that you will have a fabulous New Year's change of heart, so we are not
posting the news of you leaving right now.) (We want you back, as candidate
or colleague!)
Peace and good wishes
_____________________________________________________________________
December 28, 2007
From: Fred Vitale, Michigan
Dear Elaine:
I’m so sorry to lose you as a candidate. I hope we can continue to
collaborate on political struggles (even though we are far apart) in these
difficult times. If there is anything that you think of where we can work
together, please let me know. I’ll keep you up to date on what I’m doing in
Detroit.
In solidarity and with revolutionary greetings for 2008,
Fred Vitale
Detroit
Also from Fred Vitale, Michigan
December 23, 2007
“Brent
McMillan’s Racist Note”
The note from Brent
McMillan to the SC dated around 12-11-07 on the visit from Leon Hobbs
concerning Elaine Brown shows a racist and classist attitude. All the rest
of the stuff raised around this note is secondary. The attitude revealed in
this letter from the sarcastic "racist pig that I am" to the
pseudo-psychological and disrespectful description of Elaine Brown as
"paranoid delussional" (sic) and a "late stage alcoholic" to the perceived
threats on "security" all indicate that. Acknowledging the racism and
classism and moving forward could have been a learning and growing
experience for the GP and for Brent McMillan. Perhaps it still can be.
We live in a racist and classist society. Racism and classism define the
existence of this nation and society. We are a progressive political party
in the United States. That is fundamental to our existence. Personnel
policies, SC procedures, etc., all exist to serve that purpose. They cannot
be used to hide fundamental political positions.
The dismantling racism workshop held at the Reading convention indicated,
once again, how far the GP must go from being an organization that has
formal rules and organizational norms to address racism to being an
organization that welcomes and nurtures people of color and their struggles
against racism in all its forms….The struggle against racism will be fought
over and over again in the GP….
There are other, secondary issues involved in this letter and its
distribution but they are not political issues; they are nothing compared to
racism and classism.
I think it is possible for those of us who understand things this way to be
in an alliance with those who see things somewhat differently. I think that
the GP is also an alliance of various political tendencies, as well as a
federation of state parties. We do need to respect different political
tendencies or groupings and work on finding ways to continue to work
together.
Fred Vitale
Michigan
____________________________________________________________________
December 28, 2007
From: Sandy Lemberg, Colorado
Well, I'm changing from Green to Red too. At least, I am SEEING red.
Elaine was the most viable GP candidate from day 1 and she was
discriminated against from day 1. I believe that she was patient well beyond
what could have been reasonably expected. I've had it with the dead weight
that is dragging this Party down from the top. I am ready to lay down a set
of demands for the GP “leadership” and about ready to work to start a new GP
if they are not met.
_____________________________________________________________________
December 29, 2007
From: Michael Cavlan, Minnesota
Dear Sister in Struggle,
Elaine, first I would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart
for that racist, classist piece of shit Brent McMillan. I hope to talk you
into changing your mind, and seek the Green nomination for president. Be
aware that there are some Greens who value you and your work and message.
We are still fighting for you, for social justice in US society and sadly,
even in this party. I have not lost faith in the potentials for this party,
not yet anyway.
I Remain Yours
____________________________________________________________________
December 28, 2007
From: Liz Arnone, New Jersey
Dear Elaine,
I am truly sorry it came to this, but I admire the courage of your
conviction and hope that Cynthia and Ralph will be right behind you. The
hypocrisy of this party is finally coming to light and now it must face its
demons.
The opposition is gasping its last breath in trying to have me removed from
the Steering Committee, but I will see this through to the end because it
gives me the opportunity to continue exposing those who have undermined the
grassroots movement it was meant to be.
I wish you the best in your future endeavors and hope you will continue the
work you are doing. This white supremacist and elitist mentality must be
stood down, they are no better than the Bush administration.
Hopefully our paths will cross one day.
For Justice!
__________________________________________________________________
December 28, 2007
From: Mel Mason, California
Right Fuckin’ On!!
__________________________________________________________________
January 2, 2008
From: Bill Cunningham, Massachusetts
Sister,
We were very sorry to hear your decision. Sorry isn’t the word, though, for
the shit that led you to resign. That shit is not new in this party and it
will never be changed from the national level or at the state level anywhere
that I am aware of. However it might be transformed from the local level.
The party's structural weakness and lack of discipline, etc is exactly what
makes this possible. Whether it's worth it or not is an open question….
Despite your withdrawal I guess you know that your name will appear on our
state primary ballot in February. Voting for you then will still be the
best thing anyone will be able to do this year at the polls.
In solidarity
____________________________________________________________________
January 2, 2008
From: Annie Marie Butler, Massachusetts
i am so sorry about how you have been treated. ( i am so sick and tired of
"the white boys" winning and whining their way through their life and more
importantly ours.)
long ago, walking through dc, the kids jumping rope to the rhythm of "free
erika, liberate america", thinking it will happen, it's got to happen.
years and years later thinking elaine brown is moving the party in the
direction of liberation. well, at least you liberated yourself from all
this party shit.
sisterly love and compassion to you and yours
_____________________________________________________________________
January 2, 2008
From: Monte Letourneau, Wisconsin
“We really are quite sorry, Ms. Brown”
Elaine,
…I would like to personally apologize for being part of a party that has
made you feel unwelcome to campaign for our nomination for POTUS.
I pledge to do my best to improve myself and the party to the best of my
ability. And I pledge to expand that ability and effort to create a more
revolutionary analysis, openness, and diversity, in the GPUS.
I regret, also, that I cannot do this as well as someone with your history
of publicly standing for these things and speaking out. I am extremely sorry
that you feel unwelcome among us, and want to extend an assurance that you
are welcome by myself and many others who would love to see you debate the
other candidates in San Francisco.
Respect
Also from Monte Letourneau, January 2, 2008
…Does anyone wan to join a general call for all NC [National Committee]
delegates who agree with me to write [Elaine] and apologize for the party at
large for our embarrassment of her?...
January 2, 2008
From: Hillary Aisenstein, Pennsylvania
Monte,
I support your effort and you can include me as a co-signer.
______________________________________________________________________
December 28, 2007
From: Betty Wood, New York
Dear Elaine,
I'm sorry to read of your resignation, but I understand it. I, too, have
seen much of what you have seen. I have refused to participate in any GPUS
activities because I was "there" when it was formed. The bylaws were created
by a very few and presented for an up or down vote. The platform was written
by one person. I'm not sure if it was even presented for a vote. The first
time anyone saw it, was at the convention in booklet form. Later platforms
have been a committee effort (a committee controlled by the "founders") and
presented for an up or down vote after limited, if any, debate. The efforts
of some to radicalize GPUS and to bring democracy to GPUS have been doomed
to failure. It has always been controlled by white elitists, so we know who
it is for.
I resigned a few years ago when I saw the "ins" of GPNYS sabotage a
legitimate attempt by a number of Blacks to join the Green Party. If they
had come in singly, i.e. without the strength of each other, they would have
been welcomed. Instead, they organized separately and made some demands so
they wouldn't be marginalized. It was a test to see if the Greens would
walk their talk. The "ins" failed the test. I resigned. I came back a few
years later, but I'm on the verge of resigning again because of undemocratic
behavior that mimics that of GPUS.
And we're still white bread - without any nutrients.
____________________________________________________________________
December 28, 2007
From: Diane F. White, Pennsylvania
In an open letter to the Green Party, highly respected author, lecturer, and
champion for oppressed black, brown, poor and oppressed people all over the
world, former Black Panther Chairperson Elaine Brown withdraws from the
Green Party Presidential Race.
Elaine Brown was an irreplaceable asset to the Green Party. During her 2005
campaign for Mayor of Brunswick, GA, Brown inspired an influx of black and
brown voters into a political party marred by a reputation for being a bunch
of "white tree hugging hippies" out of touch with "urban" America.
Announcing her intentions to seek the Green Party presidential candidacy in
February of this year, Brown was poised to bring about a much needed change.
Her commitment to the disenfranchised, her organizing experience, her
reputation and her belief in the 1o key values espoused by the Greens were a
perfect match for the party, so it would seem. But alas, there are the
"Greens" and there's the "Party", not necessarily one in the same. The
failure of party leadership to properly deal with a slanderous letter
written and circulated to the Steering Committee by a paid staff member and
subsequent attacks on Brown supporters who were appalled by the racially
inflammatory contents of the letter was surely the "straw that broke the
camel's back".
___________________________________________________________________
Also from Diane F. White
Posted on Green Commons, December 29, 2007
“Uncle Tom’s Cabin”
Elaine Brown left
because it is the Green Party leadership and those who support their
unethical, hypocritical behavior that are not committed to the 10 Key
Values. As for [her] not being able to take the heat. Get real. She has
taken more heat than everybody listed combined. She has stood in the path of
bullets and watched her friends get murdered. It's this party that can't
take the heat. It's a political director who wants security in the office
because he's afraid that a black man might come in….
There is a story told about the house slaves who when "massa” got sick,
walked around saying, "we's" sick. When the house was burning they would be
more interested in saving "massa" and "missy ann" than saving themselves.
Elaine Brown is not one of those "house nigga's" and the people that she
would be bringing into the Green Party would not be house nigga's either.
So all those who say they don't see why the Green Party is viewed as just
another arm of the racist system that has been oppressing us all are either
blind or a part of perpetuating the institutional racism for their own
personal gains, be they black or white.
As a matter of fact, Elaine has done more for the "grassroots" by exposing
the hypocrisy of this party by leaving it than by co-signing the lies being
perpetuated. And there are plenty of us left here who will continue to take
the heat because she doesn't have to. We are the grassroots, she is our
leader and that will not change whether she is a member of this party or
not. The people who follow her leadership and have heard her message will
continue to carry it forward whether she is a member of this party or not.
It's still our party too, and we will continue to apply the heat. For those
who can't take the heat, they can get out….
____________________________________________________________________
December 28, 2007
From: Jeffery Peress, New York
That's a shame what they did to her [Elaine Brown] and I certainly
confronted the
problems in my state about the same issue yet they continue to ignore it.
They tried to silence me for confronting the racists in New York that are
on the state committee…. I have been a Green for nine years yet I am
appalled by what they have done. Brent McMillan and the SC should resign.
They are sabotaging the party. They talk the talk yet don't walk the walk
and I am beginning to have second thoughts about the party myself. I have
registered everyone in the projects that I have grown up in because I
thought we had a party that believed in what we believed in and yet I see
they are no different than any other party. It appears they are just as
petit bourgeois as the other political parties. I will be forwarding this to
my state now demanding that action be taken and demand that the SC members
and Brent Mc'Millian resign from their positions immediately.
I sure hope Elaine Brown sticks with us to fight the fight against this
petit bourgeois racism in the Green Party….
Also from Jeffery Peress
December 28, 2007
All I gots to say now is I hope you’re all fuckin happy now! We just lost a
very valuable member of the Green Party.
I said it before this party is dominated by all white folks that talk the
talk yet they are rather petit bourgeois. We lost a valuable member from
California as a result of the same reason a few years ago who used to be a
member of the black caucus. I said it before. There is internal racism
within the party….
Now last but not least I am calling on the resignations of Jason Nabs and
the rest of the SCGPUS that signed onto the letter condemning Liz Arnone yet
turned the other cheek on Brent McMillan. He should have been fired or
resigned after that statement. Is the State Committee gonna do something
about it?
____________________________________________________________________
December 29, 2007
From: Gloria Mattera, New York
“Please Reconsider Your Decision”
Dear Elaine,
We have not met in person but have corresponded and spoken on the phone
several times when I invited you to the Green Party of New York State
meeting this past May. I was disappointed to read your statement on
withdrawing as a Green Party presidential candidate and leaving the party.
I am sorry that your recent experiences have pushed you in this direction.
I hope you will reconsider your decision. The party needs strong,
articulate candidates like you to contend for the presidential nomination.
I believe your participation in the race is important for our party and all
voters need to hear your message. Your voice needs to be in the Green Party
presidential race.
Regards
____________________________________________________________________
January 1, 2008
From: Roy Wilkes, Manchester, England
Dear Elaine,
I have the utmost respect for the stand you have taken in relation to the
Green Party.
Keep up the struggle!
Yours in solidarity
____________________________________________________________________
December 30, 2007
From: Carl Lundgren, New York
Hi Ms. Brown,
I want to express the sadness, regret and disappointment I'm feeling by your
decision to withdraw from the presidential race and in leaving the Green
Party. I'd also like you to know of my appreciation for what you tried to do
as a Green in trying to broaden the discussion and bringing the
disenfranchised into the party. Our party still has a lot of growing and
soul searching to do. I imagine you must feel a great deal of frustration,
anger and weariness as to recent events within the party. I'm sure you
wanted and needed to bring your insights and experience to us because at
some point you saw in the Green Party a vehicle for positive change that
matched your values. I would like to believe that no decision is
irreversible and I ask if you'd be willing to open a dialogue with us. Would
you be willing to let us know what we might do to give you a reason to
reconsider?
Thank you.
_____________________________________________________________________
December 29, 2007
From: Rachel Treichler, New York
“Please Reconsider Your Decision to Withdraw”
Dear Ms. Brown,
We have never met, but I have been following your campaign for the Green
Party's presidential nomination with great interest. I was delighted when
you announced your candidacy. As I recall, you were the first Green Party
candidate to do so.
I urge you to reconsider your recent decision to withdraw. I understand your
reasons for doing so, but I ask you to look beyond the unpleasant actions of
some Green Party members. I do not believe their actions are representative
the majority of our party members or the ideals for which we stand.
Please consider the importance to our country and to our party of your
candidacy. There are issues that you can raise more effectively than any
other candidate. Your presence in the race adds a great deal to all the
campaigns.
I particularly hope that you will participate in the Green Party
presidential debate that has been scheduled in California.
Please reconsider.
___________________________________________________________________
December 29, 2007
From: Jim Brown, New York
“Reconsider Green Party Race for President”
Dear Ms. Brown,
Please reconsider your decision to drop out of the race for the GreenParty
nomination for President. It is important that the views you stress be heard
in the coming months, particularly in the upcoming Green Party debate in
California. Staying in the race would, I believe, help not only our Party,
but also further and advance the strong views and platform you are
advocating. Please reconsider you recent decision to withdraw. Greens
throughout New York welcome your important participation in the Green Party.
____________________________________________________________________
December 31, 2007
From: Balin Hansen, Washington
…I may be a fat white guy that lives in front of a computer but I'm a
vegetarian and I don't drive a car so if there was a political party based
on racial and sexual equality and environmentalism you'd get my vote. Bush
is finally admitting that global warming is real.... I don't even think
Hillary would do anything about it so mostly I just find the possibilities
presented by the 2008 presidential election as nothing most than "abysmal."
I'm really unimpressed with the candidates this time around. I'm one of
those people who thinks he's too ultra-liberal for the democrats on some
issues, too ultra-conservative for the republicans on others. I heard you
speak at the Evergreen State college in Olympia, Washington, not too long
ago. That actually impressed me. I think it was because I was hanging out
in drop-in centers with street kids at the time. I think you said something
about how people in the ghettos need vegetables and I thought "she's the one
I want to vote for" ... I don't even think there was mention of presidential
campaign at the time, not sure really.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I think you should start your own party
and I'd be glad to help.
I just don't have any money ... go figure.
____________________________________________________________________
December 28, 2007
From: Cres Velluci, California
Elaine,
I just saw your letter re: dropping out of the race. I'm asking you to
reconsider…. I understand your concern about being "snitch-jacketed," which
we both know can be the work of the government, or fellow activists for
personal reasons. I was, when I was running a civil liberties/federal grand
jury defense committee, also snitch-jacketed. Even my best movement friends
asked me why I didn't respond...sigh…. To this day I am not 100 percent sure
it was the feds. Or very, very jealous comrades. It doesn't matter. I
wanted to quit, but did not. It did show me who my friends were (not too
many), but then again, I didn't leave the mainstream news media and spend
all my savings and inheritance to fight the government to make friends.
I just want you to know that you would make a great candidate from my
perspective. You may not win, per se, but often it's activists, as you know
better than me, that can set the table for others.
I also want to remind you that the Green Party is more than a few east coast
types. California has more than half the registered Greens in the
country...and we are NOT like the individuals you describe. Not at all.
There are characters, but mostly we fit the image you expected in the Green
Party….
Peace
____________________________________________________________________
December 30, 2007
From: Sky Keyes-Vogt, Connecticut
“Support From a Comrade”
Ms. Brown,
I had just finished your autobiography - a book that changed my life -when I
heard you were announcing your run for president under the green party.
It’s too bad that that party isn't the vehicle for change that it could be,
and if it was it would have embraced your candidacy and actually try to
become a party of the oppressed rather than what it is: a party for the
disillusioned Democrats.
Hasta La Victoria Siempre
____________________________________________________________________
December 30, 2007
From: Antonio D’Lallo, Colorado
“Angry and Disgusted”
Dear Elaine,
My name is Tony D'Lallo and I am currently the chairman of the
Adams-Jefferson County Greens in Colorado. I was sorry to hear that you were
withdrawing from the presidential campaign, but was not clear why until I
read both Peter Camejo's letter and John Murphy's article. I am very angry
and disgusted with the Green Party's National Committee. The accusations
levied against you are absurd and mean-spirited! If there is anyway to
divide a party then those accusing you of being Co-intelpro certainly did a
good job of it….
You have a superb platform and spoke powerfully in Denver at Regis
University. Please get back into the campaign!! We need you, your ideas and
your passion. I am a poor teacher and relatively new to politics. What will
it take to get you to run?
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