Tag: news

Remembering the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

On March 25 we marked the anniversary of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, where 146 garment workers, mostly young immigrant women, perished due to locked doors and corporate greed. Their sacrifice ignited the modern movement for workplace safety and the right to organize.

Garment workers take to the streets in mourning and solidarity following the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire on March 25, 1911.

As we honor their memory, we see history’s chilling echoes in today’s escalated ICE attacks on our immigrant neighbors. These raids and enforcement actions create a climate of fear that corporations exploit to suppress wages and silence workers.The Green Party of the United States stands in firm solidarity with all workers, regardless of documentation status. We recognize that the same corporate greed that locked those doors in 1911 continues to threaten workers today through the criminalization of immigrant communities and the erosion of essential labor protections.

We believe a healthy and just economy must serve people over profit. We demand:

  • An end to ICE raids and deportations that tear families apart and leave workers vulnerable.
  • A living wage and safe workplaces for every worker, regardless of documentation status.
  • Strengthened unions and the protected right to collective bargaining for all.

The 1911 tragedy was a failure of a system that prioritized profit over human life. The Green Party is dedicated to replacing that system with one rooted in social justice and dignity for all workers.

The Green Party of the United States has unwavering solidarity with workers and vulnerable immigrant communities because we don’t accept money from the billionaires and corporations that fund the two parties of war and Wall Street. It’s supporters like you who make this possible. Please consider a donation or even a becoming a monthly sustainer so that we can keep challenging the duopoly as the party that always puts people and planet over profits.

Let us honor the memory of those lost in 1911 by continuing the fight for a future where every worker is treated with the respect, protection, and dignity they deserve.

In Solidarity,
Green Party of the United States

Green Party of the United States · PO Box 75075, Washington, DC 20013, United States

Green Party of Utah Condemns ICE Killings – Calls for Urgent Action

The Green Party of Utah (GPUT) strongly condemns the Killings committed by Federal Employees during the month of January 2026, as well as the failure of the elected officials associated with both the Republican and Democratic Parties to put an end to the violent and inhumane violations of Constitutional Rights plainly evident to the Public.

“The current and recent actions committed by, and at the behest of, the Executive Branch of our National Government are plainly in violation of not only multiple Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, but of virtually every definition of Human Rights,” states Tom King, member of the GPUT. “And yet, the Elected Representatives of the People, orders from State and Federal Courts, and hundreds of Court Cases have all failed to stop these actions from continuing.”

Matt Styles, Secretary of the GPUT adds, “Renee Good and Alex Pretti were innocent, law-abiding U.S. citizens who were executed in the street for no other reason than for resisting unlawful coercion by Federal ICE agents. They are not the only victims either, with many more dying in ICE detention centers even when they do comply. The only thing arguably more horrendous than this may be the complicity of our elected officials in allowing this to continue. At this point it is clear that the only way we will get the message across is to organize together and shut the system down with a general strike. When we stand together, we win.”

The GPUT therefore issues an urgent and strong call for these actions:

  • The Elected Officials from both Major political parties work with each other in their respective chambers of Congress to quickly and urgently put an end to the current GOP Regime’s actions against the American People and the Constitution of the United States.
  • The removal of funding from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
  • The immediate suspension of the illegal and deadly actions in which ICE and CBP are engaged
  • The investigation and prosecution of any violations of Court Orders or Laws in which this Regime has engaged.

More information:  greenpartyofutah.org greenpartyutah@gmail.com


Zines are not a crime!  Free Des Sanchez

The Green Party of Utah (GPUT) has signed on to the “Free Des” Letter, calling for his release from prison. Since July 6, 2025, Daniel “Des” Sanchez Estrada has been held in federal prison for distributing materials that opposed the Trump administration’s policies. 

According to the statement, Des was arrested two days after a demonstration at the Prairieland ICE Detention Center in Texas, after being followed by FBI agents to the facility where his wife, a Prairieland defendant arrested with others at the event, was incarcerated. Des was pulled over for a minor traffic offense and subsequently arrested, after which he was charged with distributing the materials at issue. Those materials have been noted to be widely available zines. Des was later charged with being part of a (fictitious) Antifa group and conspiring to conceal documents that could be used in his criminal case. The prosecution of Des is known to be tied to and threatening his immigration status, setting a dangerous precedent for the criminalization of dissent against the Trump administration and paves the way for broader attacks on immigrant, migrant, and refugee friends and families.

The GPUT joins dozens of other organizations in the demand for the immediate release of Des and to cease the suppression of free speech and the targeting of immigrants.

“The Trump administration is setting a dangerous precedent, admitting to the world they do not need to follow the law, whether it be local law or international law,” states Russell Wagstaff, GPUT Co-Chair.  “We must be prepared to challenge all authoritarian overreach, and not allow a small minority to dictate what is considered free speech.  This attack on immigrants will not stop with immigrants, soon, this and future administrations will turn their eyes toward all dissident citizens.”

“Authoritarian regimes rise when the people don’t hold them accountable for their overreach, and there are few clearer signs of burgeoning fascism than the outright targeting of people based on ideology,” adds GPUT Secretary Matt Styles. “We cannot allow this attack on democracy to go unchecked. We cannot let Des become a victim of the Trump administration’s suppression of political opposition.”

The GPUT also urges all organizations and groups wanting to defend a free society to join the call by signing the solidarity statement.

“A threat to Des is a threat to us all.”

The Green Party of Utah Responds to Attack on Disability Rights by Utah and D.C. Republicans

The Republican assault on disability rights threatens the independence and equality of millions of Americans. The Green Party of Utah (GPUT) stands firm in demanding aggressive implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. We are committed to prohibiting discrimination, enabling people with disabilities to achieve full independence, and ensuring equal educational opportunities for all children.

In Utah the Republican Attorney General is party to a federal lawsuit, with 17 other republican state attorney generals, charging Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as unconstitutional. At its core, Section 504 requires all programs or activities that receive any federal funding to not discriminate against people based on their disability(ies).1 There are important historic disability civil rights moments related to adoption of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a critical milestone in disability rights. If the federal courts agree with the Utah Republicans, would be impossible for government to enforce reasonable accommodation requirements.

On a national level the Trump Justice Department recently revoked 11 ADA Guidelines which had clarified requirements under the ADA, including disability accessibility requirements for hotels and gas stations, some dating back to 1999.2 Revoking the guidance does not mean that requirements under the ADA have changed, but it will make it harder for people to know what the rules are and how they apply. The American Association of People with Disabilities said the department’s move eliminates protections that are “necessary and timely” and the organization is “very concerned about these changes.”

These Republican policies threaten an already fragile support system for people with disabilities. As Adam Guymon, GPUT ADA Coordinator, warns, “Our diagnostic frameworks systematically erase the lived experiences of individuals with emerging disabilities. Disability is a universal human experience that touches every family, community, and generation.” Guymon explains that the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM)3 used in the U.S. to code and classify medical diagnoses, presents challenges in diagnosing complex disabilities, creating barriers for those with conditions outside existing categories. Current disability services remain minimal and underfunded, with any further interference threatening disabled persons’ fundamental dignity and independence.

Guymon further emphasizes, “These policies aren’t just political—they directly impact families, workers, and veterans. Disability doesn’t define potential; shortsighted policies do.”

As Lionel Trepanier, GPUT Grassroots Coordinator, declares, “Disability rights are the cornerstone of a just society. When we remove barriers, we don’t just empower individuals—we elevate our entire community.”

These Republican policies allow and promote discrimination against the disabled when the latest CDC data reveals over 70 million adults in the United States, (28.7% of adults) report having a functional disability.4  Nearly half of these persons, more than twelve percent (12.2%) of U.S. adults report a mobility disability with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.5 Add also 7.5 million students aged 3-21, representing fifteen percent (15%) of all public school students, who receive special education and/or related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.6

This is more than an exercise in statistics.  These numbers underscore the fact that people with disabilities are a large part of every community and population. Many of us know, or are, someone with a disability, and disability inclusion is beneficial for all.  Historically, America led the world in establishing a society with democratic values such as equal opportunity and protection from discrimination. Today, however, our country has taken a wrong turn and now is among the most extreme examples of industrialized nations that have a widening gap between the wealthy and the rest of its citizenry — the disabled, the working poor, the struggling middle class, we who increasingly cannot make ends meet. 

Take Action Now!

Contact political representatives!

Support disability rights organizations!

Spread awareness about the ongoing challenges faced by people with disabilities!

Attend the GPUT Spring Convention where the documentary film “Crip Camp” will be screened. More info forthcoming at the events page.

Join the Movement! To learn how to get involved with the GPUT and to help build the GPUT Disability Caucus, visit the website: greenpartyofutah.org or ontact the GPUT ADA Coordinator, Adam Guymon at adacoordinatorgput@gmail.com.

Our collective future depends on our commitment to breaking down barriers and creating a society that truly values every member!


1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights

2DOJ Withdraws Eleven ADA Guidance Documents For Public Accommodations, By Seyfarth Shaw LLP on March 24, 2025. Respected legal treatise with links to numerous original source documents 

3  International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM)

4US Center for Disease Control Data Shows Over 70 Million U.S. Adults Reported Having a Disability 

5 Disability Impacts All of Us Infographic (USCDC)

6National Center for Education Statistics

Green Party Member Adam Guymon Inspires Activism

May 28, 2024

Adam Guymon, Green Party of Utah member, recently spoke out about Salt Lake City’s negligence in sidewalk repair, posing dangerous circumstances for the public, especially those with disabilities. KSL News featured Adam in an article, just after a women riding a scooter crashed on a broken sidewalk and died from the inuries she sustained.

Guymon, who navigates the city in his power wheelchair, filed a complaint with the city more than a year and a half ago, along with a picture of the tilted concrete. He called it a “neck breaker” and a “wheelchair breaker,” according to city records KSL obtained through a public information request.

According to the article, hundreds of complaints have been filed regarding damaged sidewalks, including complaints filed by Adam, to no avail.

“It’s really saddening that it took someone to actually have to pass away, you know, someone had to lose a family or friend because of that,” Guymon said.

“I do feel anger at the same time I feel frustration,” said Guymon, 47. “They’re elected to, you know, make sure that the city is running correctly, and that people are safe in their city.”

Adam has been a staunch advocate for disability rights and he founded the Green Party of Utah Disability Caucus, bringing real progress for mobility in the state.

“I believe that we have been given a blessing and we need to be grateful for that blessing. I believe that Public Transit, Health Care, is a Right and not a Privilege.I believe in the [Green Party]10 Key Values and the 4 Pillars and I believe our Rights and our Voice is our Freedom. “

Vote Jill Stein with the Green Party of Utah!

Utah Greens Support Jill Stein for POTUS and have elected Electors, Delegates and Officers.

May 12, 2024

The Green Party of Utah is proud to announce that Jill Stein has won all four delegate votes for Green Party of the United States Presidential Nomination! The GPUT delegates will attend the GPUS Presidential Nominating Convention on August 17. Visit Jill’s website and support her campaign!

We are also pleased to announce the results of the other elected and appointed positions. Congratulations to everyone who accepted the nominations and were elected!

Electors for the State of Utah

Lisa Donaldson

Adam Guymon

Tom King

Brendan Phillips 

Matt Styles

Russ Wagstaff 

Delegates to the Presidential Nominating Convention

Tom King 

Adam Guymon 

Dee Taylor

GPUT Coordinating Committee Positions

Executive Council

Co-Chairs

Dee Taylor

Russ Wagstaff

Secretary

Matt Styles

Treasurer

Tom King

Other Coordinating Committee Positions

Delegates to the GPUS National Committee

Adam Guymon

Russ Wagstaff

Dee Taylor (Alternate)

Grassroots Coordinator

Lionel Trepanier, At-Large

From the River to the Sea: Women in Palestine must be freed.

On this International Women’s Day, we mourn the loss and displacement of women and children in Palestine, and the Green Party of Utah joins the millions of voices demanding a stop to the horrific genocide.

Photo Attribute: Alisdare Hickson

The statistics of the impact of the devastation in Gaza are astounding.

According to a report by UN Women:

  • 70% impacted are women and children
  • Close to 1 million women and girls have been displaced
  • 2 mothers are killed every hour
  • At least 3,000 may have become new widows and women heads of households
  • At least 10,000 children may have lost their fathers
  • No safe spaces for women survivors of gender-based violence are sufficiently operational

Additionally, according to the report, there has been a shift of loss in lives since October 2023.

Between 2008 and October 7 2023, the UN had registered 6,542 Palestinians and 308 Israelis killed in hostilities – less than 14% were women and girls

Since October 7 2023, the number of Palestinians killed has tripled the total of the previous 15 years combined, and the demographics have shifted: 70% of Palestinians killed in Gaza are today estimated to be women and children.

The realities of the displacement of women and children can be seen through the eyes of many, as told to writers for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, as well as through personal accounts are provided in the UN Women’s Report:

“Our house consisted of three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. It was fully and elegantly furnished. We took such good care of it, but now all we have is a one-room tent. Our house was completely destroyed, so we don’t know where we’ll go after the assault ends.”

“Two weeks after the war started on my due date, I went to the hospital knowing that I was risking my life and that of my long-awaited baby… My doctor decided to use a private clinic that was not fully equipped as it was the only solution available at that time. I risked my life and I hope that I didn’t bring my baby to this world for him to just be killed for no reason! “

“I can never leave my humble house except when I die. My husband can hardly move, and he has no intention of staying or dying in anyone else’s place. … Many older people like us stayed behind and are left to our fate. I am scared, exhausted, and expecting the worst. God will have mercy on us.”

The atrocities of these senseless attacks, funded by the U.S. Empire, have had far-reaching consequences that began long before October 7. Innocent lives have been lost, communities have been shattered, and the cycle of violence has been further perpetuated, with no end in sight.

We stand against oppression, against settler colonialism and against the International crime of apartheid, in alignment with The Green Party Platform .

On this International Women’s Day we urge everyone to speak out against the atrocities of the women and children of Gaza. We ask people everywhere to speak out every day against the genocide of the Palestinian people and demand a stop to the financial and military support by the United States for the acts of violence that are wiping out an entire culture. We stand with the women of Palestine in liberating their people!

From the River to the sea, Palestinian women must be freed. Free Palestine!

Happy May Day!

May 1, 2024

Today we celebrate workers all over the world. The Green Party is pro-labor, pro-union and stands for working people. All GPUS staff are union members and all GPUS merchandise is made only by union labor.

Here are a few icons in labor history

(Click on their names to learn more):

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn:

Did you know that Elizabeth Gurley Flynn was the inspiration behind Joe Hill’s Song “Rebel Girl”?

Flynn was “an American labor leader, activist, and feminist who played a leading role in the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Flynn was a founding member of the American Civil Liberties Union and a visible proponent of women’s rights, birth control, and women’s suffrage. She joined the Communist Party USA in 1936 and late in life, in 1961, became its chairwoman. She died during a visit to the Soviet Union, where she was accorded a state funeral with processions in Red Square attended by over 25,000 people.”

(Above image attiribution: By Public Domain)

Joe Hill:

Hill was ” a Swedish-American labor activist, songwriter, and member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW, familiarly called the “Wobblies”). Hill rose in the IWW organization and traveled widely, organizing workers under the IWW banner, writing political songs and satirical poems, and making speeches. He and Harry McClintock were Spellbinders for the IWW and would show up as they did at the Tucker Utah strike on June 14, 1913 (Salt Lake Tribune). His songs frequently appropriated familiar melodies from popular songs and hymns of the time. He coined the phrase “pie in the sky”, which appeared in his song “The Preacher and the Slave”.

As an itinerant worker, Hill moved around the west, hopping freight trains, going from job to job. By the end of 1913, he was working as a laborer at the Silver King Mine in Park City, Utah”.

Utah Phillips:

Utah Phillips was “an American labor organizer, folk singer, storyteller and poet. He described the struggles of labor unions and the power of direct action, self-identifying as an anarchist. He often promoted the Industrial Workers of the World in his music, actions, and words. A graduate of East High School in Salt Lake City, Phillips returned to Salt Lake City, while riding the rails and tramping around the west, where he met Ammon Hennacy from the Catholic Worker Movement. He gave credit to Hennacy for saving him from a life of drifting to one dedicated to using his gifts and talents toward activism and public service.Phillips assisted him in establishing a mission house of hospitality named after the activist Joe Hill. Phillips worked at the Joe Hill House for the next eight years, then ran for the U.S. Senate as a candidate of Utah’s Peace and Freedom Party in 1968. He also ran for president of the United States in 1976 for the Do-Nothing Party.

He adopted the name U. Utah Phillips in keeping with the hobo tradition of adopting a moniker that included an initial and the state of origin.”

Fact: Green Party of Utah member Brendan Phillips is the grandson of Utah Phillips!

Celebrate May Day by joining the Green Party of Utah today!

It’s a Wrap! Convention Day Success; Voting has Begun

April 29, 2024

Pictured above: GPUT OfficersTom King-Treasurer, Dee Taylor-Co-Chair, Russ Wagstaff-Co-Chair, Adam Guymon, National Delegate. Not pictured: Matt Styles-Treasurer

Convention Day was a success, despite the rainy and cold weather.The technology worked well for the hybrid event, the presidential candidates were all able to join remotely. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the organization of the convention! #VoteGreen #greenpartyutahVoting has begun!

Ballots for the GPUT Presidential Preferential Election and Party Positions have been sent to those who registered to vote in the elections. If you are a registered Green and want to have a voice, register now to vote by May 5! Voting ends at 11:59pm May 9.

Meet the Presidential Candidates

There are three candidates seeking the Green Party nomination for President of the United States. They will appear virtually at the Green Party of Utah April 27 convention 

Keep reading for information.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Compare the candidates’ answers to our questionnaire.

 

Jill Stein

Willing to sign a pledge to not accept corporate (business) or PAC donations

Green Party Member, Massachusetts

Read Jill’s answers to our questionnaire.

 

Jasmine Sherman

Willing to sign a pledge to not accept corporate (business) or PAC donations

Registered independent in the state of North Carolina

Green Party Member

Received the Unicorn Party’s Presidential Candidate nomination and is currently pursuing the Presidential Candidate nomination from the Peace and Freedom Party.

Actively seeking nominations from several other political parties.

Read Jasmine’s answers to our questionnaire

 

Jorge Zavala

Green Party Member, California

Willing to sign a pledge to not accept corporate (business) or PAC

donations

Read Jorge’s answers to our questionnaire