辺野古を守るための国際ネット署名、路上でも展開！The International Petition Campaign to Protect Henoko, Okinawa Goes onto Streets

See below for English version of Reiko Miyajima's opinion article on her and her colleagues' efforts to spread the international petition campain to call for cancellation of construction of a new base in Henoko, Okinawa. The petition page is HERE.

６月２２日、『琉球新報』オピニオンぺージに掲載された宮島玲子氏の「論壇」を英訳とともに紹介します。英語版は下方。



写真： New Wave to Hope

論壇

「命を守る署名アクション」 - 市民一人一人が主人公 -

宮島玲子

　「私たちは、沖縄の人々による平和と尊厳、人権と環境保護のために非暴力の戦いを支持する。辺野古の海兵隊基地建設は中止すべきであり、普天間は沖縄の人々に直ちに返すべきだ」
これは今年１月に監督オリバー・ストーン氏ら世界の有識者や文化人１０３人が出した声明だ。それと同時にオバマ大統領と安倍晋三首相に対し右記を求めるインターネット上での国際署名キャンペーンが開始され、現在１万１千筆余りが集まっている。

　しかしながら、肝心の沖縄でこの電子署名が行われていることをご存じない方が多いということを知った。若者や子育て世代が中心となって今年１月から活動を開始している「ニュー・ウェーブ・トゥ・ホープ（希望に向かって新しいうねりを）」のメンバーが５月末から街頭に立ち、肉筆での署名を展開し、この国際署名につながっていくことにした。

 　実際に署名活動を始めてみると、多くの市民の強い意志を肌で感じ取ることができた。「私は宜野湾市民だけれど、普天間基地はもともと人が住んでいた土地。戦争が終わってすぐに返さなきゃならなかったはずなのに、何十年も居座って、わじわじしてるさー」とペンを走らせた年配の女性。幼子を抱っこしながら署名に協力してくれたお母さん。小学生のお子さんにもしっかりと自分の意志で名前を書かせたお父さん。「戦争嫌や、もう基地いらん」と引っ越したばかりの新住居を一生懸命書いてくれた中学生。「電子署名のこと、友だちにも言います」と笑顔で告げてくれた女子高生。通りがかった自民党員の方も「新基地を造ることは駄目だ」と署名に名前を連ねてくれた。

 　右も左も、保守も革新も関係ない。これは命を守るアクションなのだ。一握りの政治家や経済界が沖縄の未来を決める時代はもう終わった。これからは名もなき市民一人一人が主人公だ。
私たちは非力だが、決して無力ではない。沖縄の多くの場で語られるこの黄金（くがに）言葉を今一度かみしめながら、私たちは署名アクションを続けていく。どうか多くの方々のご協力をお願いいたします。

 　インターネットでの署名は左記の通り。（署名サイト）http://chn.ge/1glVJSw。検索サイトからは「辺野古　新基地　チェンジ」で検索が可能。

 　平和の島沖縄に生まれ変わるために、今まさにあなたのアクションを必要としている。


(『琉球新報』2014年6月22日8頁掲載)

写真：New Wave to Hope

Opinion

Petition Campaign to Protect Lives - Each of Us is the Leader -

Reiko Miyajima

“We oppose construction of a new US military base within Okinawa, and support the people of Okinawa in their struggle for peace, dignity, human rights and protection of the environment.”

This is the statement given in January, by 103 scholars, artists, and peace advocates, including movie director Oliver Stone. Simultaneously, a petition demanding the above to President Obama and Prime Minister Abe was launched online, and has currently gathered over 11 thousand signatures.

 However, I found out that many people in Okinawa did not know about this petition. In May, the “New Wave to Hope” movement, which was organized in January and is mainly composed of the youth and parents of young children, began its contribution to this petition by collecting signatures on the streets.

 Upon taking part in this campaign, I have had many opportunities to feel the citizens’ strong feelings towards this subject. “Before I moved to Ginowan, I lived on the land that is now Futenma Base. The land that should have been returned to the people is still being occupied, decades after the war. I am very frustrated,” said an elderly woman who gave her signature.

One mother signed the petition, carrying an infant in her arms. One father saw his elementary school son sign the petition with his own will. One junior-high school student listed his new address that he had just recently moved into, saying “I hate war. I don’t want military bases anymore.” One high school girl smiled and told that she would spread the word to her friends. One Liberal Democratic Party member who happened to pass by said that the construction of a new base could not be allowed, and also signed the petition.

This is not a problem of right or left, conservative or progressive. This is a movement to protect lives. Okinawa’s future will no longer be decided by the corporate world, or a handful of politicians. From now on, each and every citizen will make a difference.

“We may be weak, but we are not powerless.” This is a kugani kotoba, a golden rule that is often said in Okinawa. We will keep this in mind as we continue our petition campaign. I would like as many people as possible to contribute to this cause.

 The online petition is available here: http://chn.ge/1ecQPUJ. It can also be found by searching “Cancel Henoko Change” with a search engine.

 To be reborn as the “Islands of Peace”, Okinawa needs your action now.


This article was printed on Page 8, June 22, 2014 edition of Ryukyu Shimpo. Translation by K & S Norimatsu.