2,000 people hold rally, vowing to block construction of new US base in front of Camp Schwab gate in Henoko
Participants shouted “Gambaro” three times joining their hands to block the construction of the new base in a rally held in front of the gate of Camp Schwab, Henoko, Nago, at 11:48 a.m. on May 27.
May 27, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
On May 27, in front of the gate of Camp Schwab, Henoko, Nago, the All Okinawa Council held a rally seeking to stop the K9 seawall construction and never allow the environment to be destroyed. The council aims to block the construction of the new U.S. base in Henoko, which is part of the project to relocate the Futenma airfield in Ginowan. According to the organization, about 2,000 people from the central and southern parts of Okinawa Main Island and other prefectures took part in the rally.
Hiroshi Ashitomi, co-representative of the Helicopter Base Objection Association, said, referring to news reports that the U.S. military is reviewing the plan to transfer some marines to Guam from Okinawa, “Opinion from residents in the destinations [abroad and outside of the prefecture] is reflected in policy-making, but, it is not be reflected in Okinawa. Because Okinawa is regarded as a colony. The Japanese government is also involved. If Japan is a true independent country, it should stop [the Henoko relocation] immediately”.
Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine highlighted in a message read out the rally that the government had abandoned its administrative efforts. He called for the participants to become single minded about completely blocking the project because the government, he claimed, was trying us to get Okinawans to give up by forcefully carrying out the construction of the seawall.
Suzuyo Takazato, co-chairperson of the All Okinawa Council, said in the closing speech at the rally, “Camp Schwab has been involved in various wars such as Vietnam and Afghan. We cannot allow a new base to be built. Our unity can thwart any attempt to build the new base.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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Webcam(Kokusai Street)
