LARRICK EXCLUDED FROM FIRST DEBATE . . . Greens and Nebraska Coalition for Peace activists protested exclusion of US Senate Green Party candidate Steve Larrick from the June 5, 2008 American Legion Boys State debate on the UN-L campus at Kimball Hall. Larrick gave media interviews, and spoke with several Boys State students before the event. After the debate, both Republican candidate Mike Johanns and Democratic candidate Scott Kleeb spoke with Larrick, expressing support for inclusion of all candidates in future debates.

NEBRASKA GREENS MEET IN CONVENTION . . . Saturday, June 7, 2008 the Nebraska Green Party Convention was held at the PS Collective, 6056 Maple Street, in Benson, Nebraska’s emerging sustainable community neighborhood. National Green Party Steering Committee member Marc Sanson gave the keynote address. Delegates to the National Convention, July 10-13, 2008 at the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago, and new NGP Executive Commitee members were elected.

NEBRASKANS UNITED DECLINE TO SIGN . . . Nebraska has been targeted by a California based “Civil Rights Initiative” that would deny equal opportunities in this state and change the Nebraskan constitution. Well-financed out-of-state political groups are paying petition circulators to gather signatures using misleading language with the intent of eliminating affirmative action and its principles of equity and fairness. Nebraskans United is taking a stand against this petition initiative. DECLINE TO SIGN this petition, and spread the word to others. Background information here.  Just say no to local signature gatherers when “Civil Rights” means ending Affirmative Action. To set up training for volunteers, make a donation, report sites where signatures are being gathered, or add your group to a growing list of campaign supporters, call Danielle at 402-432-3394 or email D_Nantkes at yahoo.com.

AMNESTY INTERATIONAL LETTER WRITING GROUP . . . Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 7:00 to 9:00pm, activists and concerned supporters will meet at Jones Coffee, 727 South 11th Street, Lincoln, to learn about human rights violations around the world, what is being done to address them, and write letters on Amnesty International identified issues and cases. Join them for a fair trade coffee and spend 30 minutes or two hours getting involved. For more information, contact Matt Gregory at 402-570-7840 or plylas at hotmail dot com.

NEBRASKA: THREE RIVERS RUN THROUGH IT WITH DR. PAUL JOHNSGARD . . . Thursday, June 12, 7:00pm, Wachiska Audubon will continue a 35 year anniversary celebration at an evening with lifelong bird conservationist and writer Paul Johnsgard. Johnsgard will discuss the Republican, Platte and Niobrara rivers, their ecologies, wildlife, and conservation issues, and be awarded the 2008 National Audubon Society‘s Callison Award, in recognition of his volunteer efforts. The meeting is in room 3, lower level of the Union College Dick Administration Building, 3800 South 48th Street, Lincoln. Directions: From 48th and Calvert streets, go one block south to Bancroft Ave. Turn east onto the Union College campus. Continue for two blocks and park in lots on the south. There will be Audubon signs on the doors of the Dick Building.

PRO-CHOICE COALITION MEETING . . . There is a likely possibility that a ban on abortion will be introduced in the 2009 legislature. Thursday, June 12, 2008, 6:00pm, there will be a meeting to discuss how local organizations would respond at the Peter Kiewit Lodge Cottonwood Room, Mahoney State Park. For directions see http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/guides/parksearch/showpark.asp?Area_No…. To carpool or attend via speakerphone, reply to Tyler Richard, 402-441-3347 or e-mail tyler dot richard at ppncb dot org.

“FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO” . . . A documentary about the history of GLBT discrimination will be shown at Saint Paul United Methodist Church, 1144 M Street, in Lincoln, on Thursday June 12, 2008, at 5:30pm in the lower level Dining Hall. The film features parents of GLBTs, and holds the vision of full inclusion for all people. A sandwich buffet and food sharing begins at 5:00pm. A no litter event, sponsors encourage bring-your-own plate, cup, cloth napkin, etc. For more information contact lizabethjoan at aol dot com or cmoncure48 at gmail dot com.

BENSON ART FESTIVAL . . . Saturday, June 14, 2008, Greens will have a booth at the Benson Art Festival. Stop by and say hello!

NEBRASKA GREEN PARTY CANDIDATES . . . Green Party candidates for 2008 in Partisan elections are Steven R. Larrick, U.S. Senate; and for Douglas County Board, District 1: Scott Hoffman; District 3: Derek Glaser; District 5: Susan Koneck. Laverne Thraen has filed for the Non-Partisan OPPD Board of Directors Metro District, and Doug Paterson is a write-in candidate for Public Service Commission District 2 in Omaha.