The first “Westside Greens Party” of 2002 has added Bill Pietz, co-chair of the California Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) Coalition, to its list of speakers for the March 15 event. He joins a roster that includes famed activist Julia Butterfly Hill, who spent two years living in a redwood tree to prevent its destruction. She is scheduled to speak on behalf of the Citizen's Campaign for Old Growth Preservation at 7 p.m.
The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Green Party office at 2809 Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica. It will feature a Green Party orientation, guest speakers on party platform Issues, live musical entertainment, and vegetarian refreshments.
“On March 5, San Francisco voters overwhelmingly approved instant runoff voting (IRV),” said Pietz. “Two years ago, the same thing happened in Oakland and San Leandro. In fact, whenever voters get the chance, IRV wins by a landslide. Why? Instant runoffs save money, increase turnout, lessen negative campaigning, and, most importantly, IRV ensures majority rule by making every vote count. IRV eliminates the problem of spoiler candidates and wasted votes. If you don't know about this better voting method, you should.”
Future “Westside Green Parties” will feature speakers on issues of Alternative Energy and Economic Justice, as well as green candidates for many state-wide and local offices.
The Westside Greens is comprised of Green Party of California members from the region bounded by the Santa Monica Mountains to the North, Los Angeles Airport to the South, La Cienega Boulevard to the East, and the Pacific Coast to the West.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 11, 2002. Read the original PDF.