Citizens protest in the rain with renewed conviction in mass action against new base construction: “We won’t be defeated!”
Citizens opposing the new base construction on November 3 in front of the gate to U.S. Camp Schwab in Henoko, Nago City
November 4, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo
(Henoko reporting team) November 3 saw the first mass action protesting the new base construction since the national government resumed construction after the land minister ordered an injunction to invalidate the Okinawa prefectural government’s revocation of the land reclamation approval.
Amid pouring rain, so many citizens gathered at the tent village in front of the gate to U.S. Camp Schwab that they spilled out of the tents.
They expressed renewed determination with calls of “We’ll overcome the government’s hardline stance with our popular will!” and “We’ll keep fighting and not give up!”
Miha Teruya, 18, of Naha City decided to attend the day’s protest because it didn’t sit right with her that the government is ignoring the popular will demonstrated in the gubernatorial election and pushing forward with resuming the construction.
“I thought I could learn about the base issues. I hope young people start learning about Okinawa’s history and start participating in political discourse,” she said, looking toward the future.
Shunzo Nakamoto, 71, of Ginowan City said, “I want to bring to life Takeshi Onaga’s prediction that ‘if Okinawans come together, we’ll be a powerful force.’ I will keep raising my voice under the banner of the popular will opposing the new base.”
Tatsuo Arakaki, 70, of Nakagusuku Village, spoke with conviction, saying, “Construction has resumed, but we have no choice but to continue fighting without giving up.”
Using the Okinawan word, he added, “We won’t be defeated!”
(English translation by T&CT and Sandi Aritza)
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