Against New U.S. Military Bases in Okinawa
When: April 25th, Sunday at 2 pm
Where: In front of the Japanese Embassy
2520 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
What: Demonstrators will wear dugong masks and engage in a street
theater performance that symbolically restores the marine environment
of Okinawa.
The new Japanese government, pressured by the U.S., seems to be leaning toward building a new U.S. military base on Okinawa, which is a tropical island in Japan. The people of Okinawa, who already host more than 30 U.S. bases, don’t want another base that will further destroy the beautiful natural environment of their island.
Okinawans are planning to hold a rally of 100,000 people against the U.S. bases in Okinawa on April 25th. The people of Washington, D.C. will show our solidarity with the Okinawans with our own rally, in front of the Japanese embassy on Sunday, April 25 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, please check out our Facebook event page and Closethebase website. Contact: John Feffer, Institute for Policy Studies (202-294-9128 cell)
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For more information on the other solidarity rallies around the world:
Press Conference & Earth Day Action:
Bay Area Organizations, Scholars and Environmentalists
Demand Halt of Military Build-up in Guam:
Environmentally Destructive and Costly
Date: Thursday, April 22, 2010
Time: 10:30 am
Location: St. Patrick’s Church, 756 Mission Street, San Francisco
Features: Music, Visuals, expert and community speakers:
Speakers and Press Contacts:
Rima Miles, Refaluwasch Carolinian from Saipan, member of One Love Oceania
Erica Benton, musician & member of Famoksaiyan, a Chamorro and Guam advocacy group
Yoko Fukumura, Okinawan Women Act Against Military Violence
Rev. Deborah Lee , Women for Genuine Security
Aileen Suzara, Filipino American Coalition for Environmental Solidarity
Spokeperson from POWER
Center for Biological Diversity, Miyo Sakashita
Supporting Groups:
Women for Genuine Security, Famoksaiyan (Chamorro and Guam/Marianas Advocacy Group), One Love Oceania, American Friends Service Committee, POWER, Movement Generation, Sonoma County Peace Crane Project, Center for Biological Diversity.
April 5, 2010, SAN FRANCISCO, CA* – On April 22, Earth Day, several groups will gather outside St. Patrick’s Church in San Francisco demanding a halt to US military expansion on the Pacific island of Guam. The action is also in solidarity with rallies that will be held in Washington DC and Okinawa, Japan this Sunday, April 25th in protest of a new US base in Okinawa which already holds 30 bases. 100,000 people are expected to rally in Okinawa this Sunday. The Guam build-up plan includes the proposed transfer of 8,000 Marines from Futenma Air Station in Okinawa after decades of local protests.
Contact Person: Erica Benton (510)-928-8247, Rev. Deborah Lee (415) 297-8222
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Hawaii Okinawa Alliance: Candlelight Peace Vigil for Okinawa
Date: April 25, 2010
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Purpose: Sunset Candlelight Peace Vigil for Okinawa
Location: Japanese Consulate Honolulu
Nu`uanu Avenue & Kuakini
This Sunday in Okinawa, as well as throughout Japan, Washington, D.C. and here in O`ahu, hundreds of thousands of supporters of demilitarizing Okinawa will be rallying to close down Futenma Marine Corps Air station in the middle of urban Ginowan City, as well as to oppose all further US military base constructions in Okinawa, particularly the proposed port in Henoko Bay. We will be showing our solidarity with the people of Okinawa, as well as all peace-seeking peoples longing for a world without militarism or foreign colonization.
This will be a simple candlelight vigil in front of the Japanese Consulate, at the mentioned intersection. Feel free to bring candles, signs, ribbons, musical instruments, etc. This will not be a “protest” per se, as the Consulate will surely be closed, but rather a simple act of solidarity and fellowship with those rallying in Okinawa. Street parking is available but limited on adjacent streets by park; carpooling or taking bus is recommended. If anything, just come & bring friends and family!
As you may know, US forces invaded Okinawa in 1945 to fight Imperial Japan, and have never left, instead imposing US military bases on approximately 20% of Okinawa Islands best, limited land, and are proposing to build yet more! Former Defense Secretary Rumsfeld described Futenma as one of the most dangerous airfields in the world, surrounded by neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, etc. that have endured the bases for decades, despite promises by the US to close down the outdated facilities. The previous US and Japanese government administrations conspired to relocate Futenma partially in rural, northern Okinawa on pristine reef home to endangered species such as the dugong, and are insisting on this construction particularly by the Obama administration now. The current Japanese Prime Minister, Hatoyama, will be making a decision in May on whether to go forward with the construction despite vehement, majority opposition in Okinawa; thus, this is why the vigils are taking place in Okinawa, with national and international support.
Your support will directly go to the solidarity with the people of Okinawa! Mahalo & may peace reign on Okinawa, Hawai`i, Guam and the 160 nations burdened with foreign US military!
For more info: Jamie @ 728-0062 or email Pete: dok@riseup.net Your ideas, energy, resources, etc. is welcomed!
Pete Shimazaki Doktor, Jamie Oshiro & Rinda Yamashiro
HOA (Hawai`i Okinawa Alliance)
Co-sponsored by American Friends Service Committee-Hawai`i
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