RALLY AGAINST MILITARISM & OVERSEAS U.S. BASES
THURSDAY,
JUNE 30 4-6pm,
FEDERAL BUILDING (Ala Moana Blvd & Punchbowl)
Aloha, this Irei-no-Hi, the Okinawan Memorial Day for ALL War Dead (June 23). This day commemorates the end of war between Imperial powers Japan & USA in Okinawa. Unfortunately, 66 years after the fact, Okinawa remains heavily occupied by US forces to project its wars worldwide; indeed, the war has never ended for Okinawa.
In anticipation of national governmental decisions on their imposition of yet more military facilities in Okinawa, community leaders in Okinawa are putting out an international call to rally for demilitarization, self-determination & peace in Okinawa. Given neither the Japanese or US governments are heeding the will of the people, it is critical to voice opposition (see appeal that follows).
This comes at a critical time, when given the economic and political situation, US congressional committees are questioning the costs of the proposal to relocate thousands of Marines to Guam. This may be a rare time when some traditionally war hawks may be reviewing the spreading of bases in Okinawa to Guam (see links below). Of course, it is important to remember US war/military funding continues to dwarf most other nations’ defense spending combined, and that economic cost-cutting continues to disproportionately fall on the working and dwindling middle classes, let alone remember that ultimately the people in general, whether taxpayers in USA or Japan, whether poverty draft soldiers or civilian ‘collateral damage’ bear the brunt of these costs.
However, this is hardly just about Okinawa! Popular opposition is growing in Guam that stands to be completely overwhelmed by the proposed relocation. Korea also faces militarist impositions in Jeju Island. Of course, Hawai`i remains heavily occupied by armed forces with almost 25% of O`ahu reserved for military agendas. Of 192 nations in the world, US forces are in approximately 130, with 50 nations “hosting” permanent US bases. We will hold our rally on June 30 in solidarity with Okinawa, as we are almost a day behind them, making the timing more proximate to the rallies in Okinawa and Japan on July 1st.
While this open rally is in response to a call from Okinawa, its peaceful protest will not be limited to militarism in Okinawa, but in solidarity with other struggles including Guam, Korea and here in Hawai`i. Feel free to bring friends, signs, instruments, etc. showing solidarity for peace & justice, and/or against global military empire! You may consider carpooling or bus as parking is limited in area (although you may consider a nominal purchase to park at restaurant row across the street). If people aren’t in front of the Federal Building, then we will be on Ala Moana Blvd raising consciousness. For those unable to attend or outside of O`ahu Island, please consider organizing rally or sending messages of solidarity- info follows.
Nuchi du Takara…Life is a Treasure- let’s defend it.
Solidarity/Yuimaaru/Lokahi,
Pete Shimazaki Doktor & Jamie Oshiro
HOA (Hawai`i Okinawa Alliance)
808-782-0023/dok@riseup.net
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Open Call for the Simultaneous Protest: No Helipad in Takae, No Base in Henoko, Okinawa!
From “No More Trampling on Okinawa! Urgent Action Committee.”
We have acted to remove all military bases in Okinawa. Especially from the later part of December 2010 to march 2011, we have also acted to prevent US and Japanese government from constructing helipads in Takae that started in December 2010 by, for example, Demonstration, Petition to Ministry of Defense or USA embassy.
For now, construction in Takae is stopped because there is a promise that they must not construct in the breeding season of Sapheopipo noguchii (from March to June). But it never means that they already gave up their plan. In Jury, it’s highly possible that they will forcibly start the construction again. And DPJ, the Japanese government party, decided constructing military base in Henoko where relocation of Hutenma Base is allocated. This plan is wholly same as the plan of LDP, the previous Japanese government party, although DPJ had promised that the base in Hutenma would be moved out of Japan, at least out of Okinawa.
So it’s also possible that Japanese government will pressure Okinawa to admit their latest (but in fact former) plan in Jury, preparing for the “2 plus 2” meeting. In order to push back against the pressure of Japanese government and US military, would you make a big simultaneous protest with us, in your own places? It will surely effective to raise our objection in public against military bases, not only at Japan but also all over the world.
We plan to make a demonstration and front of Ministry of Defense in Tokyo and to hand in requests to it at July 1, when the construction in Takae may resume. (Further details will be announced later.) This is an open call to anti-war activists, non-activist citizens, mass or grassroots media, politicians or government officials, to anyone whom you can contact.
Call for opposition to construction of U.S. base or helipads in Okinawa. Make a protest against relative authorities of Japan and U.S. if you can. Or send us your anti-base message, and we will hand it to the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo when we petition. If you’d like to join this simultaneous protest, please email us. no.base.okinawa@gmail.com Let’s make this action together.
No More Trampling on Okinawa! Urgent Action Committee
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/hansentoteikounofesta09
http://twitter.com/domannakademo
no.base.okinawa@gmail.com
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