> > For Immediate Release
> > January 24, 2000 /Alternative Tentacles/ -- Much to his
> > surprise, Jello Biafra was nominated for the Green Party Presidential
> > Primary in New York State. Biafra, former lead singer/songwriter of the
> > seminal political punk band Dead Kennedys, accomplished spoken word
> > performer, and renowned social commentator, will be an official
> > candidate in the March 7 election. Also on the ballot are consumer
> > advocate Ralph Nader, Stephen Gaskin, founder of The Farm - a commune in
> > Tennessee, and Joel Kovel, a doctor, peace activist, and college professor.
> >
> > No stranger to politics, Jello Biafra ran against Diane
> > Feinstein in the 1979 San Francisco Mayoral race, where he finished
> > in fourth place with over six thousand votes (3.5% of the total). In
> > June 1986, criminal charges for "Distribution of Harmful Matter to
> > Minors" against Dead Kennedys' Frankenchrist album thrust Biafra into the
> > spotlight as a spokesperson on First Amendment rights. It marked
> > the first case in history to try a recorded work for obscenity. The
> > trial ended in a hung jury and the judge ultimately dismissed the case.
> >
> > Biafra joined forces with other concerned musicians, including
> > Frank Zappa, to combat the PMRC (Parent's Music Resource Center), an
> > organization dedicated to forcing the de-facto censorship of musical
> > lyrics. Biafra locked horns with PMRC leader Tipper Gore twice on
> > the Oprah Winfrey Show; he has also appeared on Donahue, Crossfire, and
> > Politically Incorrect. After numerous musical and spoken word
> > albums, Biafra continues to perform internationally, stirring his fans
> > with scathing political insights paired with razor sharp wit.
> >
> > Biafra is owner/founder of Alternative Tentacles Records, a
> > respected independent label. ATR recently celebrated its twentieth
> > anniversary, and boasts more than two hundred, often controversial,
> > releases to date.
> >
> > Jello Biafra, a registered Green Party member in California for
> > several years, has chosen Mumia Abu-Jamal, an award-winning
> > journalist currently in prison on death row, as his vice-presidential
> > running mate. This decision will focus attention on Abu-Jamal's case and
> > on opposition towards the death penalty in general.
> >
> > The following list outlines the other key points of Biafra's
> > platform. Biafra does not plan to actively campaign. For further
> > information concerning the Green Party (including volunteer
> positions) contact Craig Seeman at (718)797-0045 or cseeman at earthlink.net.
> Direct press inquiries related to Jello Biafra or Alternative Tentacles
> > Records to Michelle at (415)282-9784 or michelle at alternativetentacles.com.
> >
> > Jello Biafra's Platform for 2000 Green Party Presidential Primary
> > (State of New York - March 7):
> >
> > - Enactment of a maximum wage
> > - Payback through free healthcare, education and public
> > transportation
> > - Withdrawal of the US from NAFTA and the World Trade Organization,
> > ideally forcing their dissolution
> > - A moratorium (or at least mandatory labeling) of irradiated and
> > genetically engineered "frankenfood"
> > - End the "War on Drugs", disband the DEA, and commute the prison
> > sentences of all small time drug offenders to "time served"
> > - Abolish the military and CIA, and destroy all nuclear weapons
> > - Shift the United States Government to Parliamentary rule, with
> > proportional representation, and a sixty day limit on election
> campaigns
> > - "None of the Above" option on all ballots, whereby a majority of
> > dissatisfied voters can force a new election
> > - Allow taxpayers to choose exactly where the government directs
> their
> > money
> > - Citizen election of police officers
> > - Legalize squatting in abandoned buildings
> > - Eradicate all SUV's!!!!!!!!
> >
> > Peace and Unity,
> >
> > Leif Brecke
> >
> > The Collective to Draft Jello Biafra president:
> > http://www.harborside.com/home/b/brecke/greenjello