WHO IS SUPPORTING US | charleneandmanishta

"They have initiative and determination and would be an excellent team as Equality and Diversity Co-ordinators." - Sian Berry

Our Supporters

Benali Hamdache, Equalities Spokesperson

One of the most important things the Green Party must do this GPEx election is elect Charlene & Manishta as E&D Co-ordinator. The party faces a lot of challenges, particularly increasing the accessibility and the diversity of the party. Charlene & Manishta are two people I trust to help deliver in the face of those challenges. They have a proven track record of challenging inaccessibility and making the proactive change we need as a party

Charlene is one of the most supportive, conscientious and knowledgeable activists I've come across in the Green Party. She has a wealth of knowledge on equality & diversity, and the skills, capacity and insight to make the party more inclusive.

Manishta stands out as an experienced activist who is incredibly insightful and makes people think beyond what they already know. She is daring and not afraid to intervene when things are unjust. Together they will make an excellent team.

Sophie Van Der Ham,

Young Greens E&D Officer

Geeta Kauldhar - Wolverhampton Green Party

Manishta and Charlene have been consistently tenacious in their pushing for the importance of real equality and diversity. Educating others on intersectional politics, being involved with and creating new liberation Caucasus’ and maintaining resilience in the face of opposition. They have and are truly pushing the party forward.

They have been a huge reason behind my engagement with the party and I could think of no two people better for Equality & Diversity coordinators.

Charlene Concepcion and Manishta Sunnia are excellent candidates for a job share of the Equality and Diversity Officer role on GPEX. They have both held active office in a range of responsible internal Green Party positions and have a track record of contributing effectively and making a difference.

Manishta is the kind of activist the Green Party needs at an executive level. She is a tireless local & national activist who also works on the strategic level, first with the Young Greens, and more recently with the Greens of Colour group in the party, developing policy. I particularly admire Manishta’s vision of the Green Party & how it can bring about positive social, economic and environmental justice, whilst she continues to challenge and engage with Party policy. She would, with Charlene, make a great Equality & Diversity Coordinator.

Caroline Russell - Islington Councillor

Julieanne Porter,

campaigner with Global Justice Now

Charlene and Manishta both have an excellent track record of getting things done and defending equality issues with superb knowledge and eloquence. They would make an excellent job-share, complementing each other's strengths, and I'm confident with them in the role the party can take great leaps in how we deal with equality and diversity issues. Please vote for Charlene and Manishta.

Sarah Cope, Green Party Women

Manishta and Charlene are tremendously commitment to intersectionality and creating a more diverse and inclusive party. Its been an utter pleasure to work with Manishta on forming the Green Party's new and very active BAME caucus, Greens of Colour, which wouldn't exist without her dedication and passion. Manishta and Charlene have the experience to take on this role, having both worked within many of the Party's committees and liberation groups, from Charlene's role in the Conference Committee to Manishta's work on the E&D Committee and both their time on the Young Greens NEC. I'm incredibly excited that two such women of colour and just plain terrific candidates are running to be the new Equality & Diversity Officers, because if elected they'll transform the role and be much needed intersectional voices and brilliant assets to GPEx!

I am endorsing Charlene and Manistha for the role of GPEx Equality and Diversity Coordinator because in my experience they not only understand and highlight important issues around equality and diversity within the party, but also have a track record of taking action to improve things.

Caroline Allen, Co-chair of London Green Party

In a party that continues to make strides for more inclusion, equality and diversity would be in no better hands than with those of Charlene and Manishta. They are passionate about ensuring that we protect the views of minority groups, and I am confident that they will continue to campaign on these issues when elected. A vote for this job-share would only do the Green Party good.

Hannah Clare, Co-chair of Young Greens North

Sahaya James, Greens of Colour

Manishta and Charlene are committed campaigners with experience and a strong understanding of equality & diversity issues, particularly the intersections between different struggles. Having worked with Manishta as a fellow member of the Equality and Diversity committee, I think that she will make a talented and strategic coordinator. Along with working with Charlene, they will be a very strong and effective team for overall party

Deborah Feeney, Equality and Diversity Committee

Charlene and Manishta have impressed me individually ever since they became involved in the Green Party, and I've already seen them take equality issues into the heart of many of our campaigns and put the issue of our own diversity and inclusivity high on the agenda. They have initiative and determination and would be an excellent team as Equality and Diversity Co-ordinators. Please vote to put them on GPEX this year.

Sian Berry, Camden Councillor

As a new member I feel it's people like Manishta and Charlene that can raise the Greens' ability to recruit from diverse backgrounds. Manishta has been campaigning for equality and social justice tirelessly throughout the several years I've known her. I can think of few more qualified to help the Green movement and its structures not only reflect and represent minorities, but empower and liberate us.

Charlene and Manishita would make a strong team, they have a strong record of promoting equality and working hard for the Green Party.

I urge Green Party members to vote for them.

I think that the enthusiasm and commitment that both of Charlene and Manishta have, would bring new life and power to the post. We need strong representation for equality and diversity which they both offer

Nathan Akehurst, London Young Greens new member.

Will Duckworth, Dudley Councillor

Derek Wall, International Coordinator

Manishta's dedication to Greens of Colour is commendable. There is no way Greens of Colour would have existed without her constant efforts to have us acknowledged by the wider party, work on constitution and secure funds! She makes a great team with Charlene and I believe both of them tick every box associated with equality and diversity! Having them on GPEX would only attract more people to the party - it would be a loss to party and members if they are not elected.

Elaha Walizadeh, Afghan Students Association

In my local party we’re currently looking at how we can improve diversity and we’ve come up with some great ideas on how to do so. However we need support to be able to understand the struggles of marginalised groups and make sure we handle equality and diversity issues effectively. I’m excited that this is exactly what Charlene and Manishta are offering for the roles of Equality and Diversity Co-ordinators, it shows that they understand the issues the party face. Do vote for them #1!

Joe Levy, Exeter Green Party,

Emily Blyth, local party support coordinator

I'm voting for Manishta and Charlene for equality and diversity co-ordinators, because I know they will work intelligently and unapologetically to support marginalised and underrepresented identities within the Green Party, and help us to improve our engagement with the diverse UK electorate.

'Manishta is one very switched-on campaigner and a highly dedicated force for social justice. I'm delighted to see her running for GPEX 2015, if elected she will deliver and serve Green Party members well. I urge all Greens to vote for her and Charlene'

Emily Blyth, local party support coordinator

I have known Charlene and Manishta for the past two years and continue to be impressed with their experience, vision and leadership on making the Green Party even more equal and diverse. They have achieved great strides towards building a more inclusive and accessible culture through delivering training, writing policy, providing their expertise on committee and engaging members. I am really excited to see what they can achieve on GPEX. I urge all members to vote for them .