DATE: February 6, 2006
CONTACT: Pete Shimazaki Doktor, 808-943-8484; dok@riseup.net
OKINAWAN LEADERS TO DISCUSS RESISTANCE TO US MILITARY BASES
People on O’ahu will have a rare opportunity to hear leaders from two Okinawan communities heavily impacted by U.S. military bases discuss their movement to counter the destructive impacts of military bases.
Nuchi Du Takara : The Struggle for Peace and Life in Okinawa
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
6:30 to 8:30 pm
University of Hawai`i at Manoa, Art Auditorium
Thursday, February 16, 2006
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Jikoen Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
1731 N. School St. (and Likelike Hwy)[free parking]
Both events are free.
Hiroshi ASHITOMI has been serving in various officer positions for the Okinawa Prefecture Worker’s Union, and is a founding member of the Anti-Base Tsubo Landowner’s Association and the Nago City Citizens’ League. He is also a co-representative of Council for Opposing Offshore Base Construction.
Yasukuni ENOKAWA is an associate of the Ginowan City Mayor in the community’s effort to close down the dangerous Futenma Marine Corps Air Station. He is a retired school teacher and an active peace advocate.
Ashitomi-san and Enokawa-san will be available for interviews February 14 - 16, 2006.
Their visit comes at a crucial time as the US and Japanese governments discuss future plans for US military bases. In reaction to protests of historical proportions in Okinawa due to the 1995 gang rape of a 12-year old Okinawan girl by US servicemembers, the US and Japanese governments agreed to reduce the military presence in Okinawa, including closing the dangerous Futenma Marine Corps Air Station. However this commitment has yet to be fulfilled, as Futenma continues to be a very active base with up to 200 flights over residences per day.
Furthermore, plans have been imposed on Okinawans by the US and Japanese governments to build a mile-long landing strip into the bay of Henoko village, which would destroy a pristine reef ecosystem. Villagers have held a protest vigil at the site of the proposed base expansion for more than eight years, while civil disobedience was led by village seniors by blocking survey boats with fishing boats and kayaks for a year and a half.. Their movement has grown into an international effort to protect the culture and livelihood of the community as well as the world-class coral reef ecosystem that is home to the endangered sea mammal, the dugong, which is protected by international law.
Peace, environmental and indigenous rights activists in Hawai’i and Okinawa have work in solidarity due to the similar experiences and
struggles related to the impacts of military bases on the land and the people.
The event is being organized by the Hawai’i Okinawa Alliance. Co-sponsors include: American Friends Service Committee - Hawai`i;
`Ohana Koa / Nuclear Free Independent Pacific; DMZ-Hawai’i / Aloha ‘Aina; the US-Japan Committee for Racial Justice; Hawai’i People’s Fund; Dept. of Ethnic Studies (UH), Dept. of American Studies (UH), Dept. of Political Science (UH), Center for Hawaiian Studies (UH), UH Center for Japanese Studies; UH/EWC International Cultural Studies Program; Los
Angeles Okinawa Peace Network; Okinawa Peacefighters; Anakbayan-Honolulu; Buddhist Peace Fellowship; Veterans for Peace
Chapter 113; Ka Pakaukau; KAHEA; Korea Truth Commission; World Can’t Wait - Hawai’i; Refuse and Resist - Hawai’i and Iraq Veterans Against the War.
(Nifee to Norman K. for emailing me the info for this event.)
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