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Green Party candidate James Lane is running for Congress against Republican Daniel Donovan and Democrat Vincent Gentile (Courtesy of Green Party of New York)

(Gabriele Gorden Photography)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Green Party candidate James Lane started his campaign for Congress on Tuesday by taking aim at District Attorney Daniel Donovan for the Eric Garner grand jury decision and at police for what he says are discriminatory police tactics.

Donovan is the Republican candidate in the May 5 special election to fill the vacant seat in Congress left by Michael Grimm. He is facing Democratic Councilman Vincent Gentile. Donovan's name will also appear on ballot lines for the Conservative and Independence parties. Gentile also has the Working Families Party line.

Lane filed with the city Board of Elections on Monday afternoon to be the Green Party's candidate.

He ran as a Green Party candidate for city public advocate in 2013 and since then, has been active in the Black Lives Matter movement that came out of a grand jury's decision not to indict a police officer in the death of Eric Garner.

As district attorney, Donovan's office oversaw the grand jury and has said the decision made by the 23 members stand with them alone.

According to a Green Party press release, Lane was "disturbed" by the lack of an indictment and advocates for independent prosecutors to be appointed in cases involving alleged police violence against residents.

"We need to ensure that our police protect the well-being and safety of all residents, treating everyone with dignity and respect," Lane said. "The police, like everyone else, need to be held accountable for their actions. I reject policing techniques that end up targeting people based on their color or economic status. I want a city where my son doesn't have to worry about dealing with the police due to his race."

Donovan's campaign declined to comment on Lane's remarks.

Lane lives in Brooklyn with his wife and son and works for an Internet media company. He said he will focus his campaign on police oversight and climate change.

"I want to give a voice to the average New Yorkers in this election who is concerned about the need for living wage jobs, affordable health care and a decent opportunity for all regardless of their race, sex, sexual orientation or country of origin," Lane said. "Most New Yorkers are ill-served by the two corporate dominated parties that promote the interests of the 1 percent."

Gentile's campaign declined to comment.

Discussing climate change, Lane called for more federal action to reduce it.

"Climate change is probably the greatest threat we face, especially in coastal cities like New York," Lane said. "We need an immediate massive investment in renewable energy and conservation."