Peter Camejo, social justice activist and Green Party gubernatorial candidate, dies at his Folsom home Saturday after long bout with cancer
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES NEWS RELEASE
FOLSOM, CA (September 13, 2008) - Peter Camejo, three-time Green Party candidate for Governor and 2004 running mate with Ralph Nader in his independent run for President, died Saturday morning here at his home, just a few miles from the State Capitol. Mr. Camejo was 68.
Mr. Camejo died after a long bout with an especially virulent form of lymphoma. He had recently returned home after his health had declined rapidly over the last few days because of the "aggressiveness of his cancer and strength of the drugs used to combat the disease," according to a statement issued by his family.
The following statement was issued on behalf of the Green Party of California by Mike Wyman, 2006 Green Party candidate for Attorney General:
"The Green Party of California is honored to have had Peter carry our standard in the recall and two gubernatorial elections, and to work with him as a national progressive candidate for the vice presidency with Ralph Nader. We join with the Camejo family in their grief and mourn for the passing of a truly unique and exemplary individual. He will be sorely missed by us all. Peter Camejo was a man of great passion and boundless compassion for the poor, uninsured workers and for immigrant workers in their struggle for justice and legalization. He became a leader in the environmental justice movement and helped organized communities of color around environmental issues that affected them directly."
Mr. Camejo was the Green Party candidate for Governor in 2002, 2003 (the recall) and 2006. He received 5.3 percent of the vote in 2002 and in 2003's recall election finished fourth of the 135 candidates. He was also the Socialist Workers Party presidential candidate in 1967. Mr. Camejo was also a leader in the Free Speech Movement in the 1960s at UC Berkeley, and fought for social justice on a number of fronts.
Mr. Camejo was born in the U.S., and raised in Venezuela. He was on the 1960 Venezuelan Olympics team, and was a socially responsible investment planner. Mr. Camejo is survived by his wife Morella, daughter Alexandra, son Victor, three brothers Antonio, Daniel and Danny and three grandchildren Andrew, Daniel and Oliver.
Arrangements and memorial services are pending.
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Contacts:
Cres Vellucci, Press Secretary, 916.996.9170,
The Green Party of California
PO Box 2828
Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
Web: http://www.cagreens.org
EMail:
More Information:
Videos of Peter Camejo in 2003 Recall Campaign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTktNX0EbCA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6aO4MiH3H8
Pictures of Peter Camejo for Governor:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30416867@N07/sets/72157607232338914/