Green Party of Santa Clara County May Newsletter
Santa Clara, California – This week, May Day was celebrated around the world with marches & rallies to defend and protect workers' rights and demand economic equity, social justice, environmental responsibility, and global peace.
Meanwhile, yet another U.S.-orchestrated coup to topple Venezuela's democratically-elected President Maduro has failed! 'We the People' know these issues are related. The U.S. disastrous economic policies of greed have led to growing income inequality, marginalization of our poor, lack of nationalized healthcare for all, and worldwide political instability. And we say #ENOUGH!
Now is the time to support the Green Party's international and timeless stand: Planet, People, Peace Over Profit! #WeAreGreen
The U.S.-Created Crisis in Venezuela Continues!
On Tuesday, April 30, another coup d'etat was attempted in Venezuela by self-proclaimed "interim president" Juan Guaidó and right-wing opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez to topple elected president Nicolas Maduro. Despite renegade military and intelligence officers rallying Guaidó and Lopez and supporters taking to the streets of Caracas for the final phase of the so-called “Operation Freedom”, the uprising was stopped by the Venezuelan National Guard forces and large crowds supporting President Maduro gathered in front of the Miraflores Presidential Palace.
Since January 23 of this year when Juan Guaidó proclaimed himself “interim president” after a phone call from U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, the U.S. government has taken up a relentless media campaign to discredit, demonize and destroy the sovereign government of Venezuela and its democratically-elected president, Nicolas Maduro. The U.S. has imposed a harsh economic warfare, armed right-wing militias, illegally seized Venezuelan foreign assets, and has publicly threaten a military invasion if President Maduro does not surrender his government.
The U.S., once again, backed Guaidó's failed coup and continues false rumors about Maduro. If the U.S. government truly "stands with the People of Venezuela and their Freedom”, it would lift all economic sanctions immediately and stop threatening Venezuela and other countries that dare say NO to U.S. imperialism!
BREAKING NEWS:
The Embassy Protection Collective (led by CodePink co-founder Medea Benjamin and Popular Resistance co-directors Margaret Flowers and Kevin Zeese, both Green Party members) that has been protecting the Venezuelan embassy in Washington D.C. is now under siege but will continue their vigil. You can sign the declaration of support for this collective here.
Follow the latest news from Venezuela and from the embassy.
Want to know what is really happening in Venezuela?
Listen to Economist Jeffrey Sachs on Democracy Now!
“American sanctions are deliberately aiming to wreck Venezuela’s economy and thereby lead to regime change. It’s a fruitless, heartless, illegal, and failed policy, causing grave harm to the Venezuelan people,” says Jeffrey Sachs, leading economist and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University.
Read the Reports by Laura Wells on Venezuela
Learn more about what's really happening in Venezuela through Alameda County Green Party activist Laura Wells's eyewitness reports. Laura recently returned from a trip to Venezuela with the Alliance for Global Justice “End Venezuela Sanctions” delegation.
Join the #HandOffVenezuela Peace Corner Rally - EVERY Saturday
Come protest at the Peace Corner RALLY and stand with us for "No U.S. Coup in Venezuela", democratic elections and an end to U.S. imperialism and militarism. Meet us at 12:30-1:30 pm at the corner of Stevens Creek Blvd & Winchester Blvd in Santa Clara. BRING YOUR OWN SIGN!
Hear the 'Truth About Venezuela' from Gloria La Riva
Monday, May 13 at 7-9 PM, free admission
Carpenters’ Hall, 2102 Almaden Rd #115, San José 95125
Join us for this eyewitness report by Gloria La Riva, a union, community and anti-war activist, who has recently returned after a month-long visit to Venezuela. Her talk will include video clips of interviews with Venezuelans involved in the revolutionary process. The nearest transit stop is Curtner & Canoas Garden, about a half-mile from the event; light rail 901, bus 26.
Bike To Shop Day in Santa Clara
Saturday, May 25 at 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Join Santa Clara Green Diane on a bike to shop day in Santa Clara! Do you enjoy riding your bike but think you must drive to get your shopping done? Not so!
This Bike to Shop Day will concentrate on what EVERYBODY shops for: Groceries!
- Start: Off-Ramp Bicycle Shop - 2639 El Camino (& San Tomas Expwy)
- End: Santa Clara Town Center - El Camino & Scott
We will visit (or ride by) up to 14 grocery stores in the city of Santa Clara on bike-friendly streets & trails. Please be sure to bring panniers, a backpack, or some other container to take home anything you acquire. RSVP
Green Party of California General Assembly
May 18 - 19 at 8 AM - 5 PM
Redstone Building, 2490 16th St, San Francisco 94103
The Green Party of California's next General Assembly (GA) will be held on May 18 & 19, 2019, at the Redstone Building in San Francisco. The GA is the primary decision-making body of the GPCA and consists of delegates from each active county organization.
Since this GA will be held in the Bay Area, we would love to see many GPSCC members show up and represent Santa Clara County, one of the most active counties in California!
Greens at Earth Week and May Day Events
Santa Clara Greens have been present and tabling in April and early May at various events: Santa Clara University Earth Week Vendor Fair (April 26), Junior State of the America (April 27), and May Day celebration in San Jose (May 1st). It was great to talk to (and sometimes argue with!) high-school and college students about the Green Party values, the connection between oil and wars, and the GP's Green New Deal!
Join Santa Clara Greens in our May Events
Hands Off Venezuela Peace Corner Rally
Saturday, May 6 at 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Corner of Stevens Creek Blvd & Winchester Blvd,Santa Clara 95050
Join us at this Peace Corner Rally and take a stand against the U.S. intervention in Venezuela. BRING YOUR OWN SIGN!
• No U.S. Coup d' état in Venezuela!
• Democratically Elected President Maduro!
• US Hands Off Venezuela!. RSVP
Packing and Distributing Food to Local Families
Wednesday, May 8 at 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Sunnyvale Community Services, 725 Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale 94086
Come join the Santa Clara Greens for a fun afternoon and help us package and distribute food bags to low-income households in our community. RSVP
The Truth About Venezuela - A Labor-Community Forum
Monday, May 13 at 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Carpenters Hall, 2102 Almaden Rd #115, San Jose 95125
Hear an eyewitness report by Gloria La Riva, a union, community and anti-war activist based in San Francisco who recently returned from a month-long visit to Venezuela. GPSSC is proud to co-sponsor this event.
Green Party of Santa Clara County Monthly Meeting
Thursday, May 23 at 7:00 – 9 :00 p.m.
San Jose Peace & Justice Center, 48 S 7th St, San Jose, 95112
Join the Santa Clara Greens at our monthly meeting to learn about our plans and activities. We are building the Party for the 99% and we invite you to be a part of our journey. RSVP
Bike To Shop Day in Santa Clara
Saturday, May 25 at 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Join Santa Clara Green Diane on a bike to shop day in Santa Clara!
This Bike to Shop Day will concentrate on what EVERYBODY shops for: Groceries!
- Start: Off-Ramp Bicycle Shop - 2639 El Camino (& San Tomas Expwy)
- End: Santa Clara Town Center - El Camino & Scott RSVP