All Okinawa Council delegates strengthen ties with local US civil society and convey Okinawa’s situation

All Okinawa Council delegates strengthen ties with local US civil society and convey Okinawa’s situation

Delegates from the All Okinawa Council deepen their ties with members of local civic groups in the United States.


November 19, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo
Sakae Toiyama reports from Washington DC

A delegation comprising members of the All Okinawa Council, led by Kanehide Group president Morimasa Goya, is currently visiting the United States to express Okinawa’s opposition to the construction of a new US military base in Henoko, Nago, as part of the planned relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. On November 17, delegates met with staff at the local offices of California congressional representatives Mike Honda (D) and Barbara Boxer (D), both of whom are actively engaged in human rights issues. The delegates asked that the US government take responsibility as an active player in the Henoko relocation issue. In the evening, the delegates participated in a dialogue-based meeting where they deepened their ties with members of local civic groups.

About 60 participants joined the meeting. The All Okinawa Council delegates showed a video of the sit-in protests at Henoko to provide a visual account of the Okinawan people’s opposition to the new base construction. They also called for cancellation of the construction plan. Participants then discussed ways to support the anti-construction effort. Ideas included strengthening calls for the US media to report on the issue.

(Translation by T&CT and Sandi Aritza)

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