Howie Hawkins for Congress - Howie Hawkins Files More than 6,000 signatures as "Green Populist" for Congress

Howie Hawkins Files More than 6,000 signatures as "Green Populist" for Congress

Howie Hawkins for Congress
25th District, New York
www.howiehawkins.org

Media Release

For More Information: Howie Hawkins, 315-425-1019, hhawkins@igc.org
Date: Tuesday, August 19th

Campaign to Focus on Full US Withdrawal from Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan;
Medicare for All; Economic Justice and Sustainability; and Constitutional Rights

Albany -- Howie Hawkins today filed more than 6,000 signatures with the State Board of Elections in support of his Green Populist Congressional candidacy in the 25th District. Hawkins said he looked forward to a vigorous debate with his opponents about the future direction of America.

"The basic issue is whether Congress will begin to support average people or continue to look after the interests of the super-rich and the giant corporations," stated Hawkins. "Unlike my opponents, I will be an independent voice in Congress who challenges the bipartisan consensus for pro-corporate economic and imperial foreign policies and who fights for the interests of average people. I want to thank the thousands of local residents would have stood with me in calling for a new direction."

Hawkins' campaign has focused on calling for ae full US withdrawal from the wars in Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan, and Medicare for All, national health insurance through a single public payer (e.g., HR 676). Hawkin’s broader themes are Economic Justice and Sustainability and Restoring Constitutional Government, including the impeachment or prosecution of Bush administration officials for crimes against the constitution and humanity.

"It's time for Congress to finally act upon FDR's 1944 appeal for an Economic Bill of Rights that will guarantee economic security for all Americans. It should include the right to a job at a living wage or a guaranteed income above poverty, Social Security, secure pensions for all workers, free full-coverage health care, free public education from Head Start through college, and affordable housing, transportation, and energy," stated Hawkins.

Hawkins added that "America needs a new industrial policy that redirects public investment from the permanent war economy and from financial speculation by the super-rich and the giant banks to rebuilding the real economy of manufacturing, agriculture, and services. I would start with Building a Sustainable Green Infrastructure, including renewable energy, mass transit, freight and passenger railroads, and green buildings, for jobs and economic recovery, energy security, and climate protection."

Hawkins has been active in movements for peace, justice, the environment, and independent politics since the late 1960s. A former Marine, he helped organize opposition to the Vietnam War and was a co-founder of the anti-nuclear Clamshell Alliance in 1976. He helped found the national Green Party and movement in the early 1980s. He is a Teamster who works at UPS unloading trucks and rail cars.