Ginowan citizens rally to protest Marine Corps releasing PFAS-contaminated water

Ginowan citizens rally to protest Marine Corps releasing PFAS-contaminated water

On August 26, in front of the gate to Camp Zukeran (Camp Foster) in Kitanakagusuku Village, Ginowan citizens protest the release of PFAS-contaminated water by the U.S. Marine Corps


August 27, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

In response to an incident in which water contaminated with polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that had been stored on Futenma Air Station was treated and released into the sewers by the U.S. Marine Corps, on August 26 Ginowan citizens rallied in front of a gate to Camp Zukeran (Camp Foster) in Kitanakagusuku Village and raised their voices in protest of the incident. About 10 citizens held placards with criticisms of the U.S. military’s handling of this matter, including “Don’t let PFAS flow” and “Don’t discriminate against Okinawa.” Meanwhile, farmers who work in the vicinity of the airfield are concerned that there could be damage to their crops. It is a source of disappointment for local residents that the U.S. military spares no consideration for them.

Hatsuko Goya of the citizens’ group Ginowan Clean Water Association said, “I was surprised to hear [about the release]. We must express that ‘citizens are angry’ right away. Pollution from the military bases is difficult for citizens to watch happen. It’s frightening.”

Isao Tobaru of the Ginowan City Assembly angrily stated, “It is inexcusable that the release was done unilaterally. ‘It’s ok if it’s diluted’ does not ring true. If we excuse it once, the U.S. military is likely to continue such releases hereafter.”

There was also an incident in June in which water contaminated with PFAS flowed off from the U.S. Army Oil Storage Facility in Uruma City. Hidekazu Miyagi, the secretary general of the Uruma City Island-Wide Council, also participated in the protest rally. He stated, “There was an outflow of contaminated water in Uruma City. Don’t you think the release into the sewers without any hesitation, as with this time, is because Okinawa is perceived as a colony?”

(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)

 

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