Residents organizations set up in villages, towns and cities to block a new US base

Residents organizations set up in villages, towns and cities to block a new US base

Participants cheer “Gambaro!” (Let us do our best) at the inaugural meeting of a new organization in Chatan Town, set up on April 8 to oppose the expansion of the Henoko base.


April 9, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

Grass roots organizations are springing up in municipalities across Okinawa to oppose the construction of a new U.S. base at Henoko.

In Chatan about 160 people, including residents and town council members, got together to form the Chatan Town Citizen’s Forum on April 8. Mayor Masaharu Noguni addressed the inaugural meeting, “We are uniting to do something concrete to prevent the construction of the new U.S. base.”

A similar organization is to be created in Nakagusuku by the end of April, bringing together villagers, the municipal government’s labor organization and assembly members. The new group will take part in the Okinawan People’s rally, scheduled to take place at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha in May.

Community groups and local politicians in Okinawa City are to have a meeting in mid-April to discuss how they can set up their own anti-Henoko organization. Likewise, plans are underway for meetings in Ginowan City and Nakijin Village.

(English translation by T&CT)

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