GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release: Friday, Sept. 8, 2004

Contacts:

Cres Vellucci, State Press Office, 916-996-1970, civillib@cwnet.com

Beth Moore Haines, GPCA Spokesperson, 530-277-0610, beth@greens.org

Sara Amir, GPCA Spokesperson, 310-270-7106, saraamir@earthlink.net

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

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The Green Party of California

http://www.cagreens.org

P.O. Box 2828, Sacramento, CA 95812

Phone: (916) 448-3437

gpca@greens.org

Nativo the Peerless registering as a Green? Taking lots of Mexicans with him? Someone pinch me, I must be dreaming!

Geez, if only Mazine Waters would have the same kind of political reawakening.

It is wonderful to hear that you're back with the Green Party Mr. López! The Latino population has been in dire need of being properly represented, and now that you have re-registered with the Green Party, your influence will definitely have a positive impact on elections to come. I have been a Green Party member for a couple of years now, ever since I began to educate myself on political parties (and still to this day), and I'm sure that you will make strong efforts to encourage that within our communities. The population needs to know that the Democratic political party, in comparison to the Republican party, has become only a lesser evil for the people. We must not forget our principles and demand to take back a government which has been wrongfully attempting to take away our voice. Onward and forward!