THE GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES

PRESS ADVISORY

For immediate release:

Sunday, November 4, 2001

Contacts:

Nancy Allen, Media Coordinator

207-326-4576, nallen@acadia.net

Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator

202-518-5624, scottmclarty@yahoo.com



CORRECTION of erroneous information in press

reports on the detention of a Green at Maine

airport



WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party organizers are

attempting to confirm a report from sources in

Maine that a Green was detained by officials at

Bangor International Airport because of her

political affiliation.

Greens support measures to keep air traffic safe

during the current crisis, as long as

constitutional rights are not violated and people

who engage in nonviolent political dissent are

not targeted. Numerous Green Party organizers

and activists have flown over the past weeks

without incident, and they have complied in every

way with airport security measures.

PLEASE NOTE: Recent press reports on the incident

contained incorrect information about the

affiliation of the Green Party member, stating

that Nancy Oden is a "coordinating committee

member" of the Green Party of the United States.

Ms. Oden is not a member of the party's

Coordinating Committee (which consists of

delegates from affiliated states), but of a

different organization.

The Green Party of the United States is the only

Green political organization organized nationally

as a party, in which at least 31 states are

represented (with other states' memberships

pending). It organized the Green National

Convention in Denver in June, 2000, at which

Ralph Nader was nominated to run for President,

and is recognized among Green Parties around the

world.

The Green Party of the United States has filed

papers with the Federal Election Commission for

recognition as a national party with national

committee status, and expects an announcement of

the FEC's decision within the next few weeks.

Media inquiries about national policies and

activities of the Green Party should be directed

solely to the Green Party of the United States,

through its media representatives as listed in

the heading above. To contact state Green

Parties, visit the Green Party of the United

States web site http://gpus.org> and follow the

links to the state parties and their contacts and

web sites.



MORE INFORMATION

The Green Party of the United States

http://gpus.org



END

You people (Starlene Rankin, Brent White, et al.) who claim yours is the only "TRUE" Green Party are really beyond the pale. In your "press release" (above) you first state that the "Green Party" is "attempting to confirm ... that a Green was detained by officials at Bangor International Airport because of her political affiliation." However, further down you state unequivocally that the "Green" in question, Nancy Oden, is in fact NOT a "Green" at all but from "a different organization". It seems to me you are not "attempting to confirm" anything.

In your "press release" you also state "Greens support measures to keep air traffic safe during the current crisis, as long as constitutional rights are not violated and people who engage in nonviolent political dissent are not targeted." The incident at Bangor Airport runs seriously afoul of this stated policy, yet as the self-appointed arbiters of *Green Party Purity* you have spent the better part of two days badmouthing Ms. Oden and rationalizing that she deserved the illegal and unconstitutional treatment she received. It appears you are very selective in whose rights are defended, and all too eager to throw anyone to the wolves if they are not someone you consider a "REAL" Green.

I have in the past supported and contributed financially to the Green Party, but no more! Not only was I unaware of the petty viciousness that apparently is one of the party's hallmarks, I was also ignorant of "Starlene Rankin's" position against abortion and free choice. It's apparent that your organization - and I mean no disrespect to individual members - is not about ideals but about politics, and dangerously self-serving politics at that.

hey friends,

i believe no one should interfere in a woman's intensely personal choice about whether to have a child. i support the right of women of all ages to full reproductive freedom.

peace,

starlene