From: The Ad Com of the DNE Caucus
To: GPUS National Committee, GPUS Steering Committee
CC: Dario Hunter, Latinx Caucus, Lavender Greens, Young Ecosocialists, Black Caucus, National Women's Caucus
Date: May 15, 2020
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May 15, 2020
It has come to our attention that there have been some decidedly inflammatory comments made by the co-chair of the Lavender Caucus in reference to the Dialogue Not Expulsion Caucus, an affinity group formed in response to threats of expulsion of the Georgia Green Party for its endorsement of the Declaration on Women’s Sex-Based Rights. In an email posted to the NC-Affairs list on May 10, Margaret Elisabeth wrote in reference to the DNE, "Given the tremendous amount of Astroturfing that most of these hate groups are funded with, I have to question the motivation and intention of every one of the people involved in this."
Characterizing the Dialogue Not Expulsion Caucus as a “hate group” funded by dark money is a libelous remark, apparently intended to silence anyone who believes that the topics of sex and gender should be the subject of democratic discussion with input from all stakeholders, rather than decided by fiat at the behest of a select group. The DNE Caucus is founded on respect for democratic process and free expression, allowing input from everyone involved, and for the record is a zero-budget, grassroots operation with no financial backing. DNE is by no means a “hate group.” We unequivocally denounce these unsupported allegations.
Also for the record, it bears repeating that DNE does NOT take positions with regard to sex and gender or the Declaration, and is comprised of individuals with diverse views on these topics.
In a statement May 9, LC supporter and candidate Dario Hunter escalated his attack on the Georgia Green Party, refusing to treat it as legitimate enough to even hold a candidate forum. Declining to attend Georgia's forum, he tweeted, "They have zero legitimacy or impartiality for such an event." The GaGP is the Georgia affiliate of the Green Party, which is in the process of choosing its candidates for President and Vice President. It’s unfortunate to see candidate Hunter expend political capital attacking fellow Greens when he has the opportunity to build bridges with them instead. One would think that he aims to be the presidential candidate for all Greens, which would presumably include those residing in the state of Georgia.
The Lavender Caucus and its allies evidently wish to drive out of the Green Party all who oppose their campaign of purging and splitting. They are pre-empting any process for dialogue and are attempting to enforce their own judgments before party members have had the opportunity to even begin discussing the issues at hand. This risks a national split in the GPUS. By contrast, we in the DNE support party unity, advocate for the right of all GPUS members to voice their opinions about sex and gender, and as always, call for dialogue not expulsion.
Administrative Committee of
the Dialogue Not Expulsion Caucus