Season’s greetings from the campaign trail! After the whirlwind of the last 2 months, including 7 states and 2 international gatherings, it’s clearer than ever that the peaceful rebellion is gathering steam.
I’ve never seen so many people ready to break free of the corrupt two-party system, and work together to build an independent political movement for people, planet, and peace over profit.
As urgently as we need this movement – it’s also clear that it will only happen if people like you and me make it happen together. We are now on the verge of qualifying for federal matching funds, which will massively increase our campaign’s ability to reach the millions of Americans who are looking for a new political home!
Will you give what you can today to help me power up my campaign for 2016?
To clarify the historic opportunities ahead, let me share some excitement from the campaign trail:
Maine:
I was honored to speak at a peace rally at Bath Iron Works, protesting the launch of a $1.5 billion Aegis Destroyer. I shared the news that a Green New Deal will convert factories like Bath Iron Works to wind, solar, and rail production rather than wasting trillions of dollars on weapons and wars that are making us less secure abroad and more impoverished at home.
Boston:
I spoke at the Million Student March at Northeastern University, part of a national day of action with over 100 campuses taking part. The students were supercharged to hear that with over 43 million carrying college debt, they have the numbers to take over the election, and the power to take their future back – by getting out the millennial vote to support the only campaign committed to canceling student debt.
Baltimore:
I joined Rev. Westley West, a leader in Baltimore’s Black Lives Matter movement, for one of the most exciting city council campaign launches I’ve ever attended, including power chants as we marched through the streets, gathering strength along the way as people came out of their homes to join us!
Another highlight was joining Dr. Margaret Flowers, Maryland’s Green candidate for Senate, to serve the people – drinks, that is – at a meet-and-greet. It’s such an honor to see Dr. Flowers, renown advocate for Medicare for All, leading the charge for the Green political power our movement deserves.
North Carolina:
Thanks to Michael Trudeau and the North Carolina Greens, I had a fantastic tour through the state with the most anti-democratic ballot access laws in the country – visiting a campus at every stop. Despite years of rule by Tea Party Republicans, I heard from so many North Carolinians that they are ready to break free of the two-party system entirely, rather than return power to the lackluster Democrats in their state who enabled the GOP’s rise.
New York:
I had the honor of keynoting the Green Business Summit in NYC held by the New American Chamber of Commerce, a coalition of African-American, Asian, Latino, and Caribbean American small businesses. It was so exciting to see, once again, communities of color are leading the charge for just, sustainable, community-based economies.
Georgia:
I had the honor of speaking at a gathering to end immigrant detentions and deportations, which included the largest rally ever held at School of the Americas Watch! As the refugee crisis swells to unprecedented proportions, it’s so inspiring to see so many people standing up for the human rights of immigrants, and to end predatory US policies that are creating millions of refugees to start with–corporate trade deals, drug wars, regime change, and wars, occupations, and their terrorist backlash.
It was inspirational to join with Dr. Cornel West at our “Un-Block the Vote” rally, to ensure that African Americans have not only a right to vote, but to have full and fair choice of who to vote for.
I’d like to give a big shout out to my Georgia/North Carolina host, Bruce Dixon, editor of the Black Agenda Report and our Deputy Campaign Manager, for leading the charge for racial justice all over the country – and for being the role model he is for me and so many others.
We are working hard for ballot access across the country so that we can achieve justice and real democracy for all Americans – will you donate today to help us give millions more the opportunity to vote for a people powered campaign?
Paris and Moscow:
Given recent events, a whole series of crises were converging in Paris – climate, war and terrorist blowback. Despite the failure of the COP to rein in climate change, the atmosphere was transcendent as people reached out across national boundaries and issue silos like I’ve never seen. You could sense a collective vision emerging from across the planet, of a world based on human rights, international law and respect for Mother Earth.
While in Paris I spoke with both the inspirational leader of the UK Labor Party, Jeremy Corbyn, and powerhouse Green MP, Caroline Lukas. Both expressed enormous support for our calls for a Peace Offensive to end Middle East wars and stop terrorism in its tracks, and for a Green New Deal to create 100% clean renewable energy by 2030 and ensure climate justice. We agreed to continue exploring a collaboration to galvanize the international Peace Offensive.
After Paris I headed to Moscow to continue the conversation at an RT gathering that brought together international leaders, independent press, security analysts and democracy advocates.
I spoke with Russian leaders, including the head of foreign affairs for Russia’s parliament, about ways the US and Russia could lead the way on global nuclear disarmament, peace in the Middle East, and military divestment. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reaction to my panel discussion about a Peace Offensive was extremely interesting – and encouraging.
In my discussions with activists and leaders from the UK, Germany, China, India, Italy, France, Russia, and indigenous US tribes – it was clear that Greens in general, and our campaign in particular, can play a powerful role galvanizing global solidarity for a new way forward.
I returned home more determined than ever to help build the movement for Democracy and Justice that is not only national, but also international… and within our reach!
As this year draws to a close, I’m thrilled at how much we’ve accomplished with your tireless support, and what world-changing opportunities lie ahead – as I discussed in my recent interview with Cenk Uygur of the Young Turks.
Can you give today to make 2016 the turning point we so urgently need to create a world that works for all of us – that puts people, planet, and peace over profit?
Thank you for all that you do, and I wish you and your loved ones peace, health and happiness in the new year.
It’s in our hands!
Dr. Jill Stein