Standing in front of the (Boss) Tweed Court House, Howie Hawkins announced today in that he will run for Governor as the progressive alternative to the pro-austerity and anti-union policies of the Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo and his Republican challenger Rob Astorino.

Hawkins chose to announce in front of the NYC Board of Education to highlight his call for adequate funding for public schools and an end to high-stakes testing. Hawkins said, "High-stakes tests are designed to define the children, teachers, and schools of disadvantaged communities as failures in order to privatize their schools as charters for profit-seeking investors. Public schools are not for sale. It's time to stop the corporate privatization agenda."

NY1 VIDEO: Howie Hawkins, a candidate for governor, joined Inside City Hall to preview his campaign to become the Green Party's candidate for governor and explain why he thinks the Cuomo administration has failed to deliver on a host of progressive priorities for the state.

Howie Hawkins announced his plans to run for New York state governor under the Green Party in front of East High School Thursday morning. Hawkins said he chose East High as the place for his announcement because the school is slated to be closed by the Board of Regents, and it’s an example of the problems Gov. Cuomo has created by underfunding local schools and anti-poverty programs.

Howie Hawkins announced his campaign for Governor in Albany to a standing room only crowd in the LCA Pressroom packed with media and supporters. The day started with an interview on the Capital Pressroom:

Howie Hawkins outlined his Green New Deal platform of economic justice for working people in New York State. Hawkins explained the need for a $15 minimum wage, the right to a job, the need to invest in a renewable energy future and why we need an independent political party that is not affiliated with the corporate parties.  Read articles below to here Howie's comments on Cuomo and Astorino, the Working Families Party, and how Greens can challenge the corrupt leadership of New York's political establishment.

Howie's release at the news conference: Howie Hawkins to Run for Governor as the Progressive Alternative

Times Union Capital Confidential: Gov candidate Hawkins pitches "Green New Deal"

Times Union: Hawkins presents platform

NewsDay: Green Party candidate Hawkins calls for $15 minimum wage

Ithaca Journal: Hawkins announces campaign for Governor

Hawkins on Liz Benjamin: Howie Hawkins discusses his second run

Associated Press: Hawkins enters race for Governor of NY

Troy Record: Hawkins announces second run for Governor

Thank you to Syracuse Greens and supporters for joining Howie for the first event of his statewide campaign kick off blitz.

You can watch full video of the announcement on Indymedia CNY  

Howie was joined by a room full of supporters as he outlined why he is running for Governor of NY against Democrat Andrew Cuomo. Howie outlined his Green New Deal platform, a plan to create badly needed jobs for unemployed New Yorkers addressing community need and building the clean energy system we need to reach a goal of a carbon free economy by 2030.  After the official kick off, Howie spoke at a Funk Not Fracking event near Syracuse University (photos below.)  You can read early coverage of the kickoff from the Post Standard's Tim Knauss, 5 Questions for Howie Hawkins.

Originally printed on CounterPunch

by HOWIE HAWKINS and STEVE BREYMAN