FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 21, 2004

Contact: Charles Shaw, IGP Media Coordinator 773.671.7770, charles (at) newtopiamagazine.net

ILLINOIS GREEN PARTY WELCOMES JASON WEST TO CHICAGO MAY 7TH

Heroic Mayor of New Paltz, NY joins former President of NOW for equal marriage rally

CHICAGO – Jason West, Green Party Mayor of New Paltz, NY, will be appearing in Chicago May 7, 2004 at a marriage-rights event titled, "The Battle For Equal Marriage", 7pm at the Preston Bradley Center, 941 W. Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL. Other speakers at this event include Patricia Ireland, Former President of NOW, activist Robin Tyler, and Illinois Green Party candidate for US Senate, Scott Summers.

One year ago, at 26 years of age, Jason West was elected Mayor of New Paltz, NY, making him the first Green Party Mayor in NY State history. Two months ago, in February of 2004, Mayor West made history as he defied New York State law and became one of only three mayors nationwide to issue same-sex marriage licenses. That same month, the Illinois Green Party issued a public statement, "Illinois Green Party Blasts Proposed Marriage Amendment: Demands Equal Rights for All Citizens" which was subsequently picked up and distributed internationally through the GPUS Greens News Wire and CommonDreams.org.

Between 1995 and February of 2004, when West and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom began issuing same-sex licenses, 33 states had passed DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) laws and 5 other states had banned same-sex marriages by ballot referendum.

Although New York State has no DOMA Law, Mayor West is presently facing numerous charges for “illegally solemnizing a marriage”. West and others have asserted that these and other charges are unconstitutional, and in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

By comparison, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, although publicly supporting equal marriage rights, deflected responsibility on Cook County Commissioner David Orr, who, unlike Mayor West, chose not to issue same-sex marriage licenses, citing his unwillingness to “break the law”.

Mayor West has been touring the nation speaking on equal marriage rights and Green politics. "This is a critical moment in the birth of a movement and it is important to find potential allies,” said Mayor West in a recent statement. “I will continue doing what I can to advance the cause we have undertaken together. But the movement that is flowering now does not depend, and never has depended, upon the actions of a single mayor in a small village."

Mayor West will be in town to speak at the rally, and to raise money and awareness for his equal marriage rights work. This event is co-sponsored by the Illinois Green Party, the Chicago Anti-Bashing Network, and DontAmend.com.

www.ilgreenparty.org