Official Statement: Afro-Puerto Rican Accepts Green Party Nomination for Vice President
Posted July 23, 2008


I am honored and excited to accept this invitation to run with Cynthia McKinney. Cynthia McKinney is a hero to me and many others across this country and around the world for her courage in standing up to George Bush while the Democratic Party establishment caved.

This campaign is the opportunity the Hip-Hop generation has been working for. This is our time to address the issues affecting our communities – rising unemployment, the high cost of food and housing, a lack of quality public education and access to higher education, the prison-industrial complex, and unaccountable corporate media. These issues are not being addressed by either the Republican or Democratic nominee.

I choose to do this, not for me, but for my generation, my community and my daughter. I don’t see the Green Party as an alternative; I see it as an imperative. I trust that my vice presidential run will inspire all people, but especially young people of color, to recognize that we have more then two choices. Together, we can build the future we’ve been wanting.

To view Clemente’s nomination speech, click here.

To view the press conference with Green Party presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney and running mate Clemente after their nomination, click here.

Rosa Alicia Clemente is a community organizer, journalist and hip hop activist. She can be reached at clementegreenparty@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.rosaclemente.com and www.gp.org.