Hawaii Okinawa Alliance: Candlelight Peace Vigil for Okinawa

Sunset Candlelight Peace Vigil for Okinawa

Japanese Consulate Honolulu

Nu`uanu Avenue & Kuakini,

Sunday, April 25, 2010,

6pm

This Sunday in Okinawa, as well as throughout Japan, Washington, D.C. and here in O`ahu, hundreds of thousands of supporters of demilitarizing Okinawa will be rallying to close down Futenma Marine Corps Airstation in the middle of urban Ginowan City, as well as to oppose all further US military base constructions in Okinawa, particularly the proposed port in Henoko Bay.  We will be showing our solidarity with the people of Okinawa, as well as all peace-seeking peoples longing for a world without militarism or foreign colonization.

This will be a simple candlelight vigil in front of the Japanese Consulate, at the mentioned intersection.  Feel free to bring candles, signs, ribbons, musical instruments, etc.  This will not be a “protest” per se, as the Consulate will surely be closed, but rather a simple act of solidarity and fellowship with those rallying in Okinawa.  Street parking is available but limited on adjacent streets by park; carpooling or taking bus is recommended.  If anything, just come & bring friends and family!

As you may know, US forces invaded Okinawa in 1945 to fight Imperial Japan, and have never left, instead imposing US military bases on approximately 20% of Okinawa Islands best, limited land, and are proposing to build yet more!  Former Defense Secretary Rumsfeld described Futenma as one of the most dangerous airfields in the world, surrounded by neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, etc. that have endured the bases for decades, despite promises by the US to close down the outdated facilities.  The previous US and Japanese government administrations conspired to relocate Futenma partially in rural, northern Okinawa on pristine reef home to endangered species such as the dugong, and are insisting on this construction particularly by the Obama administration now.  The current Japanese Prime Minister, Hatoyama, will be making a decision in May on whether to go forward with the construction despite vehement, majority opposition in Okinawa; thus, this is why the vigils are taking place in Okinawa, with national and international support.

Your support will directly go to the solidarity with the people of Okinawa!  Mahalo & may peace reign on Okinawa, Hawai`i, Guam and the 160 nations burdened with foreign US military!

For more info: Jamie @ 728-0062 or email Pete: dok@riseup.net  Your ideas, energy, resources, etc. is welcomed!

Pete Shimazaki Doktor, Jamie Oshiro & Rinda Yamashiro

HOA (Hawai`i Okinawa Alliance)

Co-sponsored by American Friends Service Committee-Hawai`i

TO FIND OUT INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER OKINAWA SOLIDARITY ACTIONS AROUND THE WORLD CHECK OUT: http://closethebase.org/2010/04/15/join-us-for-a-rally-in-washington-dc-on-sunday-april-25th/

More info:

http://hoa.seesaa.net/

http://closethebase.org/

http://us-for-okinawa.blogspot.com/

http://www.jca.apc.org/wsf_support/2004doc/WSFJapUSBaseRepoFinalAll.html