WASHNGTON, D.C. - The Green Party's Peace Action Committee (GPAX) calls for the development of alternative solutions to violence on the International Day of Peace.

GPAX, an official committee of the Green Party of the United States, has chosen Sept. 21, the International Day of Peace ("Peace Day"), to announce its reorganization after a hiatus of several years.

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
@GreenPartyUS

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, September 21, 2017

Contact:
Scott McLarty, Media Director, 202-904-7614, [email protected]
Rich Whitney, Co-Chair of the Peace Action Committee, 618-967-0840, [email protected]

"President Trump's belligerent speech in front of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, with his appalling assertion that the U.S. would 'totally destroy' North Korea, show how urgently we need a strong movement for peace. The Green Party exists to represent the movement in the political field by an alternative to the two war parties," said Rich Whitney, GPAX co-chair and Illinois Green Party member.

"Mr. Trump's threats, which blatantly violate the U.N. Charter, are unfortunately consistent with invasions and attacks launched by the previous two administrations against Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, and with U.S. aid for assaults by Saudi Arabia on Yemen and by Israel on Gaza," said Mr. Whitney.

Greens said the U.S. Senate vote on Monday for a massive increase in the military budget to $700 billion, approved with bipartisan support, and Democrats' enthusiasm for a new Cold War with Russia are further evidence that a revived peace movement is necessary.

Peace Day was founded in 1981 through a U.N. resolution. GPAX exists to facilitate the planning and achievement of peace and justice actions of the Green Party and to support and promote the party's anti-war candidates and agenda.

"We recognize that peace is not just the absence of violence, it's a willingness to resolve conflict in a constructive manner and to develop alternatives to society's current patterns of violence," said Rita Jacobs, member of GPAX and the Green Party of Michigan.

The Green Party lists nonviolence among the Ten Key Values in its national platform. The platform calls for a number of measures to achieve peace, including the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, demilitarization in the Middle East, swift action against human rights violations, and adherence to international law and existing treaties.

"We believe that nations should prepare for peace, not violence. The achievement of peace can only be realized through practices that lead to economic justice, universal nuclear disarmament, sane defense spending, international cooperation, and human rights," said Deanna Dee Taylor, GPAX co-chair and member of the Green Party of Utah.

GPAX furthers its mission and the Green Party platform through educational events and activities at the national and state levels.

See also:

Green Party: International law prohibits preemptive U.S. military action against North Korea and other countries
Green Party press release: August 15, 2017

The Empire’s Hustle: Why Anti-Trumpism Doesn’t Include Anti-War
By Ajamu Baraka (2016 Green vice-presidential nominee), CounterPunch, September 20, 2017

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