Major Mexican-American political leader re-registers, urges statewide Latino support for Green Party candidates in Fall elections
GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: Friday, Sept. 8, 2004
Contacts:
Cres Vellucci, State Press Office, 916-996-1970,
Beth Moore Haines, GPCA Spokesperson, 530-277-0610,
Sara Amir, GPCA Spokesperson, 310-270-7106,
Nativo Lopez, MAPA, 323-269-1575 or (cell) 714-423-4800
SACRAMENTO – The influential president of the Mexican American Political
Association (MAPA) – one of the oldest, and largest political organizations
of its kind in the state and U.S. – said Wednesday he has lost patience
with the Democratic Party and is throwing his support to the Green Party.
That decision could result in tens of thousands of Latino voters switching
to the Green Party, according to the Green Party of California.
Nativo Lopez – who made the dramatic disclosure and formally re-registered
Green at the Secretary of State's office Wednesday – said he is traveling
throughout the state urging MAPA members and Latinos statewide to also
re-register Green and to form MAPA/Green organizations.
The announcement is a coup for the Green Party. For years, Greens have
been urging under-represented voter groups to abandon the Democratic Party,
which has done little for those groups, and in fact, taken their votes for
granted.
"We are no better off than a generation ago. The Democrats have not helped
us. This needs to change," said Lopez, who added he is planning joint voter
registration efforts with the Green Party, and expects MAPA to endorse
Green candidates.
"The two major parties say they believe in capitalism, but they do not
want competition in politics. The big corporate dollars have helped the
parties to lock up the districts...they do not want to wake the Latino
voter up because they are afraid we will change the system," said Lopez.
"We are excited about the opportunity to work closely with Nativo and MAPA
to promote issues and legislation to benefit the Latino community and all
Californians," said Peggy Lewis, a Green Party state and national steering
committee member.
MAPA is a multi-partisan advocacy group, formed in 1960, with chapters
throughout the state and U.S. representing the Mexican, Mexican-American
and Latino communities. For more information, see www.MAPA.org
-30-
The Green Party of California
http://www.cagreens.org
P.O. Box 2828, Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
gpca@greens.org
|