December 15, 2015
Okinawans opposing the Henoko base construction on December 14 in Ginowan City held an inauguration meeting of the “all Okinawa council” to coordinate efforts for the cancellation of the government plan to construct a new U.S. base in Nago’s Henoko district, with around 1,300 people taking part.
The council is joined by political parties, trade unions, business organizations, women and youth groups, anti-base “councils” at the municipal level, and various other civil groups.
Okinawa Governor Onaga Takeshi delivered a speech and said that the formation of the council will open up the prospect of expanding and strengthening Okinawans’ ongoing struggle against the Henoko base construction. He called on the participants to increase efforts to achieve a victory of an anti-base candidate in the Ginowan City mayoral election scheduled for next month in order to create a bright future for Okinawa.
The newly-established council seeks to realize the following demands: remove Osprey military aircraft and the U.S. Futenma Air Station from Okinawa and withdraw the Henoko base construction project. The council will help the Okinawa government win in the court battle against the central government over the Henoko base issue, provide support for activists conducting sit-in protests in Henoko, organize large-scale rallies, and increase public awareness of the problem across the country and the rest of the world.
Nago City Mayor Inamine Susumu, one of the co-heads of the council, told the audience that to strengthen the public movement is the most effective way to block the new base project and that the council will lead the protest movement.
Shimura Keiichiro, who plans to run in the Ginowan City mayoral election, and Isa Hiroshi, who is a member of the student organization SEALDs Ryukyu, also delivered speeches in solidarity.
Past related articles:
> City-wide group formed to oppose new base in Nago [ May 27, 2015]
> Anti-base residents’ councils established in Okinawa [ April 25&26, 2015]
The council is joined by political parties, trade unions, business organizations, women and youth groups, anti-base “councils” at the municipal level, and various other civil groups.
Okinawa Governor Onaga Takeshi delivered a speech and said that the formation of the council will open up the prospect of expanding and strengthening Okinawans’ ongoing struggle against the Henoko base construction. He called on the participants to increase efforts to achieve a victory of an anti-base candidate in the Ginowan City mayoral election scheduled for next month in order to create a bright future for Okinawa.
The newly-established council seeks to realize the following demands: remove Osprey military aircraft and the U.S. Futenma Air Station from Okinawa and withdraw the Henoko base construction project. The council will help the Okinawa government win in the court battle against the central government over the Henoko base issue, provide support for activists conducting sit-in protests in Henoko, organize large-scale rallies, and increase public awareness of the problem across the country and the rest of the world.
Nago City Mayor Inamine Susumu, one of the co-heads of the council, told the audience that to strengthen the public movement is the most effective way to block the new base project and that the council will lead the protest movement.
Shimura Keiichiro, who plans to run in the Ginowan City mayoral election, and Isa Hiroshi, who is a member of the student organization SEALDs Ryukyu, also delivered speeches in solidarity.
Past related articles:
> City-wide group formed to oppose new base in Nago [ May 27, 2015]
> Anti-base residents’ councils established in Okinawa [ April 25&26, 2015]
