The California National Party is hosting its second annual “Emperor Norton” Leadership Retreat next month, where members of the pro-secession state party will discuss key political issues facing the state and explore potential next steps for California’s future.
“Like the Republicans and Democrats have Lincoln, Reagan, Jackson, and Jefferson Dinners, we have our own political get together to hash out the issues. Except, instead of presidents representing California, we can do one better. We have an emperor,” the party stated in a flyer shared with Independent Political Report.
The California National Party has set the retreat for February 15 at a San Francisco bar named after Emperor Joshua Norton. According to the organization, party Chair Sean Forbes and Theo Slater, the party’s provisional legal counsel, are expected to address the event. While an agenda has not been shared, the party indicates the focus will be on major issues influencing California’s politics and a debate on where the state “goes from here as a nation-state.”
In addition to the retreat, the party states that it’s also collecting donations for victims of the recent Southern California wildfires, with attendees encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to support the relief effort.
Founded in 2015, the California National Party is a progressive secessionist and civic nationalist political party operating exclusively in California. It has previously fielded candidates for state and local office; however, it is not currently recognized as an official political party or body under state law. The retreat’s name references Emperor Joshua Norton, a San Francisco resident and former businessman who, in 1859, proclaimed himself “Emperor of these United States.” While Norton’s proclamations were not legally recognized and were often viewed as eccentric by the media, he became a beloved figure in San Francisco before his death in 1880.
@Patmian Ape
You’d think so, right. But presumably the AIP would be too based for the CNP as well.
@Jordan
Thanks for bringing Emperor Norton I to my attention, by the way. Reading up on him is proving to be a real treat. He seems like a genuinely chill guy.
Sooooo… Jefferson state when, you beautiful basta- Oh wait, I just remembered: you cut off Marinelli and the “Yes California” folks, just because they were too sensible for your liking U+1F612 Yah boo sucks!
They should hook up with the Alaskan Independence Party. You’d think smaller, state focused parties would naturally want to work together.