Okinawans protest the Japanese government’s forceful land reclamation work, ask “Is this democratic nation?” as 43,000 resolution votes opposing the construction go ignored
A woman holding a newspaper with the result of the referendum at the protest at the front gate of Camp Schwab in Henoko. February 25, 9:30 a.m.
February 25, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo Digital Edition
[Henoko Base Problem News Crew]The Japanese government continues to force through new base construction at Henoko, part of the relocation of MCAS Futenma, just one day after a resolution vote was held in Okinawa in which over 43,000 people voted “Oppose” to the construction.
At the gate of Camp Schwab in Henoko, around 60 staged a sit-in in protest. They raised their voices angrily stating, “We will not allow the will of the people to be ignored anymore. Is this what a democratic nation does?”
Starting early in the morning, citizens distributed by car papers displaying the result of the referendum as well as placards stating messages like “Don’t destroy our oceans.” At 9:30, when trucks began to arrive at the gate carrying construction material, police in riot gear forcefully removed the protesters.
The riot squad removed protestors one after another, interrupting citizens cries like “In your heart you oppose it to, don’t you?”
The trucks continued on into the base with the construction material, leaving vehicle exhaust in their wake.
February 25, the day after a referendum vote in Okinawa, construction workers are seen stacking blocks at the N4 Seawall
The Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB) continues forcing through their construction on the water.
Blocks were seen being stacked at the “N4 Seawall” near the tip of Cape Henoko.
A fleet of nine canoes carrying protesters went out to meet them, angrily demanding the government consider the voter’s choice.
Akiko Yamaguchi ,55, who let the protest fleet, said, “Why on earth is the government not acting in accordance with the will of the people?
Not a single Japanese person should allow this. We want them to hear the cries of Okinawa.”
(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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Webcam(Kokusai Street)
