Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney announced earlier this week that she has chosen hip-hop activist Rosa Clemente as her running mate. Clemente is a prominent hip-hop activist who is a community organizer, author, and lecturer.

In announcing her nomination, Clemente issued the following statement:

"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."

Together, McKinney and Clemente constitute the first women of color presidential ticket in US history.