Winter Democracy Campaign Launched By US Greens

For Immediate Release:
December 6, 2004i

"Winter Democracy Campaign" Launched
An Initiative of Newly-Formed United Progressives for Democracy

Meeting in Washington, D.C. over the weekend of December 4-5, representatives of more than 45 organizations decided unanimously to call for a "Winter Democracy Campaign." This campaign will demand that there be a full investigation of widespread and growing reports of disenfranchisement, electoral racism and inaccurate voting results on November 2 in Ohio, Florida and elsewhere.

The newly-formed coalition, United Progressives for Democracy, also called for support of an 11-point Voters' Bill of Rights to "bring the U.S. electoral system into the 21st century," in the words of conference organizer Ted Glick

The Winter Democracy Campaign includes support for these planned and on-going activities:

-Immediate: the Ohio recount being spearheaded by the national Green Party of the U.S. and the Libertarian Party, with support from Rev. Jesse Jackson and Ohio activists; volunteers and public support are needed;

-Tuesday, December 7, 8:30-4:30, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room G-50: "Voting in 2004: Report to the Nation on American's Electoral Process." Includes testimony by Congressional members and is initiated by Common Cause;

-Wednesday, December 8, 10:00 a.m., 2237 Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.: "What Happened in Ohio?," a hearing on electoral problems and voting issues called by Congressman John Conyers and progressive allies;

-December 10-13: local actions around the country called by No Stolen Elections! to urge Electoral College electors meeting in state capitols on December 13th to use the vote casting process to delay the vote for any Presidential candidate until there are comprehensive recounts and voting violation investigations;

-Now until January 6: grassroots campaign to urge Congresspeople and Senators to object to the certification of all electoral votes when in joint session on January 6; this would create a space for discussion of major electoral problems, including those in Ohio, and actions necessary to address them;

-January 16-20: counter-inaugural activities in Washington, D.C. and around the country.

Ms. George Friday, spokesperson for United Progressives for Democracy, explained, "All of us in this country should support making real the unfulfilled promise of U.S. democracy. The Winter Democracy Campaign is an urgent, needed call for action to address the democracy deficit. We refuse to accept a tainted and corporate-dominated electoral system and a racially discriminatory, illegitimate election of a corrupt administration."

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Ohio recount: http://www.votecobb.org

December 7 hearing: http://www.commoncause.org

December 8 hearing: http://www.pdamerica.org

December 10-13: http://www.nov3.us

Counter-Inaugural: http://www.counter-inaugural.org

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