http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/border/139757

National Green Party convention gathers in Tucson
By Daniel Scarpinato
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.28.2006
In an effort to bring attention to the immigration issue — a "fabricated distraction from Bush disasters" — the Green Party of the United States is descending on Tucson this weekend for its national convention.

Local and national party leaders, who oppose current immigration reform, say Tucson was chosen because of its proximity to the border. Titled "El Futuro es Verde," meaning "The Future is Green," the meeting will take place at the Historic YWCA Building, 738 N. Fifth Ave.

Greens say the border issue has been fabricated by President Bush to distract from the war in Iraq, warrantless wiretapping and the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina.

This weekend's Tucson meeting is meant to "acknowledge the efforts by immigrants to defend their rights and the history of progressive politics in Arizona," a press release from the party says.

The official party position is the North American Free Trade Agreement has depressed wages and driven Mexicans into the United States to find better jobs. The agreement should be repealed, they say.

Local Greens were the ones who helped draw the national party here, said Claudia Ellquist, chair of the Green Party of Pima County. There are 1,600 registered Greens in Pima County.

"The Arizona Green Party is an up-and-coming party," said Scott McLarty, spokesman for the national party. "We like to hold our conventions in places that often get ignored by the two major parties. We also know that the immigration issue is a pretty big one in Arizona."

The Green Party — which often falls to the left of Democrats — was founded in the 1980s, but began attracting public attention when Ralph Nader ran for president in 1996 and again in 2000. The party takes positions on all kind of issues, but the environment is its signature focus area.

The event started Thursday afternoon with state Green Party delegates participating in National Committee meetings. Workshops for Green candidates, campaign organizers and party activists include "Resisting the Demonization of Arabs and Muslims," "Greening of Immigration Issue" and "Energy and Environmental Justice."

There are no Greens in elected office in Arizona, although one is on the ballot this year for a Maricopa County school board, Ellquist said. There are at least 226 elected Greens in office in 28 states and the District of Columbia, McLarty said. The party has seen its greatest success in Northern California, where, among others, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is a Green.

But it's not always easy being Green.

The party wasn't able to gather enough signatures this year to be recognized on the Arizona ballot, although the party is recognized in Pima

County, Ellquist said.

Also, the local Jewish community is upset about the Green convention because of the party's position on Israel.

At their 2005 annual convention, the Greens approved a resolution calling for "divestment from and boycott of the State of Israel until such time as the full individual and collective rights of the Palestinian people are realized."

Josh Protas, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, calls the position irresponsible.

"It's very one-sided and unfair," he said. "Are they considering a boycott from groups who support Hamas and Hezbollah?"

But Protas said the local Jewish community has been so busy responding to the current unrest in the Middle East that they will not be engaging in dialogue or demonstrations while the Greens are here.
Ellquist defended the party position.

"This isn't a case of Jewish versus non-Jewish," Ellquist said. "This is a matter of looking at Jewish policy and taking a position. This isn't about religion, it's about nations."

Anyone can still sign up to attend the convention. Ellquist said just to show up. There is a $115 registration fee.

To find out more about the local Green Party, go to pimagreens.org online.

● Contact reporter Daniel Scarpinato at 807-7789 or dscarpinato@azstarnet.com.