A Ginowan parents group from Midorigaoka call for the Okinawa base referendum to proceed, “Do not rob us of the right to vote”

A Ginowan parents group from Midorigaoka call for the Okinawa base referendum to proceed, “Do not rob us of the right to vote”

Team Midorigaoka leader Akiko Miyagi (2nd from the right) calling for the Okinawa base referendum to take place. November 30 Midorigaoka Preschool in Nodake, Ginowan


December 1, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Parents from Midorigoaka Preschool (Nodake, Ginowan), where last year an incident wherein a piece from a U.S. military helicopter fell and landed on the school occurred, have formed a group dubbed “Team Midorigaoka 1207” and released a statement at a press conference held at the preschool November 30 demanding the right to vote on the referendum in Okinawa on whether or not to allow land reclamation in Henoko, Nago. The group is raising its voice as it has now become unclear if the vote is going to be carried out in Ginowan. After the press conference, the statement was sent to Ginowan Mayor Masanori Matsukawa and City Council Chairman Yasuyuki Uechi.

A position document opposing the referendum submitted by the city council’s ruling party at the December regular meeting directly references the incident at Midorigaoka preschool and stated, “ We cannot allow the result of the vote anchor Futenma [in its current location].” The statement released by the parent’s group indicated, “We are thankful for the statement having been made with the school in mind, however it is for that very reason that we cannot rob the citizens of Ginowan their right to vote on this matter.”

School Principal Takehiro Kamiya also commented on his point of view, saying, “The thought, ‘Do not fly over our school,’ is not about waiting for the new base facilities at Henoko to be built, or about a mere policy decision to either “relocate to Henoko,” or “keep Futenma in place,” but rather a desire [for those in power] to face a situation where the respect for life is being neglected.” At the press conference, in addition to the members from Team Midorigaoka, parents from all over the prefecture were in attendance. Comments from those in attendance included, “Does the city or city council even have the right to rob its citizens of the right to vote?” and “If [the vote] is rejected in Ginowan it will be rejected everywhere.”

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

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