McKinney Appears In New York July 18; Urges Black Community To Break Ties With Democrats

Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party candidate for president, appeared Friday night at a press conference at the Manhattan Neighborhood Network, public access television. A former 6-term congresswoman from Georgia and longtime champion of progressive causes, she told a story to explain how she felt the black community should relate to her candidacy.

While on a long drive into New York, she heard James Taylor’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight” on the radio. Lyrics such as “Do me wrong/do me right/Tell me lies, but hold me tight,” reminded her of the way blacks have stood by the Democrats even when they don’t deliver on their promises. She said, “No longer will I be involved in a one-sided dysfunctional relationship.” Noting that the Democrats “did not even protect the right to vote in 2000,” she urged blacks to “Step out on your own, and bear the consequences of being alone.”

McKinney charged the Democratic Party with being “complicit in the crimes of the Bush Administration.” She also spoke of her agreement with the key Green Party values of ecological wisdom, social justice, peace, and grassroots democracy.

McKinney was in New York to help kick off the Green Party’s drive to put her on the ballot in New York City. The Green Party needs to collect 30,000 valid signatures from registered voters before August 19 to be placed on the November ballot. The Green Party is seeking volunteers to help gather signatures and spread the word about the McKinney campaign.

Also speaking at the press conference was Evergreen Chou, a Green Party candidate for Congress. Chou is a co-founder of the Flushing (Queens) Greens, and is running for US House of Representatives in District 5. Among other things, Chou spoke of the need for affordable housing, noting that many people in his area are living 10 to an apartment because rents are so high.