Video: Jill Stein officially launches 2016 campaign

June 23, 2015NewsGrassroots DemocracyShane Pekny

In a Democracy Now! exclusive, Dr. Jill Stein officially launches her campaign as a Green Party candidate for the 2016 presidential race.

“I have a people-powered campaign,” Stein notes. “I am running with the only national party that does not take corporate funding.”

Stein, a physician and activist who first ran in 2012, outlines her platform. She joins the fray as the race for the Democratic Party nomination heats up. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, has emerged as Hillary Clinton’s main rival for the party’s nomination, as his poll ratings have surged in recent weeks.

“Hillary is the Wal-Mart candidate. She has been a member of the Wal-Mart board. On jobs, on trade, on healthcare, on banks, on foreign policy, it is hard to find where we are similar.”

Watch the video.

Decline to Sign! Nebraskans for Public Safety gaining support

June 19, 2015Action Alerts, NewsGrassroots Democracy, Non-Violence, Social JusticeShane Pekny

From Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty:

Last week, we announced our membership in a new coalition to fight the referendum campaign called Nebraskans for Public Safety. Support for this new group continues to grow! Today, the ACLU of Nebraska announced that they secured $400,000 grantto fight the death penalty referendum. And in case you missed it, be sure to check out the ad that ran in the Omaha World Herald from murder victims family members disgusted with attempts to bring the death penalty back:

The coalition includes victims family members, fiscal conservatives, and faith leaders who all know that the death penalty is broken beyond repair. The coalition launched their website this week. Check it out here to learn more and get signed up to volunteer with Nebraskans for Public Safety. Additionally, be sure to “like” their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter. We need to keep their numbers growing!

Many have asked what they can do about petition circulators. According to Amy Miller, NADP board member and Legal Director of ACLU Nebraska, if you spot a death penalty circulator doing something that concerns you, use the Nebraskans for Public Safety website to report fraud. THREE particularly important things to report if you see them: (1) Circulator not reading the object statement to each signer, (2) Circulator offering something of value to gain a signature, or (3) Unattended signatures left for people to sign with no circulator in charge. Remember: you have the right to film people in public. Film any circulator you find concerning, look for their identifying information and report fraud online at NE4PS website.

Thanks for your ongoing support. We can fight this referendum campaign together and show Nebraskans that repeal of the death penalty was the right step into history.

Save the date: Bill McKibben to speak in Lincoln Oct. 6

June 18, 2015EventsEcological Wisdom, Future FocusShane Pekny

From the E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues website:

What: Bill McKibben will speak on “The Climate Fight at its Peak”
When: October 6, 2015, 7:00 pm.
Where: Lied Center for Performing Arts, 301 N. 12th Street, Lincoln

In the weeks before the world gathers in Paris for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Bill McKibben will provide an update on how the movement to slow global warming is progressing, both in the United States and around the world. He will share inspiring examples of grassroots climate-focused actions that have been launched by 350.org members in more than 188 countries; then, he will turn his focus to his host state and highlight ways in which Nebraskans can become involved in advocating and campaigning on global environmental issues.

Bruce Johnson appointed to fill Steve Larrick’s NRD seat

June 5, 2015NewsEcological WisdomShane Pekny

From the Lincoln Journal Star:

Bruce Johnson, a retired professor from Lincoln, has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District Board.

Johnson, who taught in the department of agricultural economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for 39 years, will represent Subdistrict 5 in west Lincoln. The opening was created when the board vacated the seat held by Steve Larrick, who is teaching in China.

Johnson will serve the balance of the first half of Larrick’s four-year term, through December 2016. The seat will be up for election in the 2016 primary and general elections.

Say thanks because it’s a nice thing to do

June 3, 2015Action AlertsGrassroots DemocracyShane Pekny

In the wake of the Nebraska Unicameral’s historic action in repealing the death penalty over a gubernatorial veto, let’s not forget to say thanks. Among Greens, nonviolence is a core value and repealing the death penalty just makes sense. For many members of the politically diverse Unicameral, this was a more difficult decision. Let them know that it was the right decision! Also, saying thanks is just a nice thing to do and a great way to develop more of a dialogue with your elected representatives.

Find your senator’s contact information and say thanks.

See how your senator voted on the veto override.

Join the Tar Sands Resistance March on June 6: Bus picking up from Lincoln and Omaha

May 29, 2015EventsEcological Wisdom, Grassroots DemocracyShane Pekny

A charter bus from Nebraska, picking up in Lincoln and Omaha, has been arranged for the Tar Sands Resistance March, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in St. Paul, MN. There are 50 seats available. The cost is only $25/seat.

Stand with thousands of people coming together to say NO at the Tar Sands Resistance March, the largest ever anti-tar sands event in the Midwest. Our public pressure has stopped President Obama from approving Keystone XL — so far. But the Tar Sands industry and Koch brother’s aren’t waiting: They are pursuing a major expansion of a network of pipelines to bring even more toxic tar sands into the Midwest — and the Obama Administration has already approved some of these plans. We need to send a powerful, public message that any tar sands expansion allowed by President Obama and other leaders is a failure of their moral obligation to protect our families.

Tar Sands Resistance March:

When: Saturday, June 6th, noon to 4 p.m.
Where: March to the State Capitol Lawn, St Paul, MN. Starting at Lambert Landing, Corner of Shepard Road and N. Sibley Street. Ending at the State Capitol Lawn, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Getting there: Charter bus from Nebraska, picking up in Lincoln and Omaha, only $25/seat!