Youth get active, opposing wartime bills

Youth activities against wartime legislation took place in several locations on April 29, a national holiday.

In Kyoto, about 70 young people demonstrated in a "Peace Walk" which the Democratic Youth League Kyoto Prefectural Committee organized. They marched through downtown Kyoto with colorful banners and posters shouting, "Stop wartime bills!" "Protect the peace Constitution!"
The lively atmosphere of the demonstration attracted several young pedestrians to join in.

One of the participants said, "It is weird to make a law to fight wars." Another student said, "Our government only cares what the U.S. government thinks, it disgusts me."

On the same day, the Peace Seminar of Aichi Prefectural High School Students held "Peace Ring 2002," where they discussed the wartime bills.

In the discussion, one of the high school students said, "Pro-wartime legislation people insist, 'If you are prepared, you don't have to worry.' But we have to make sure what we need to be prepared for."

"I think the bills are closely related to our daily lives. That's why we have to tell more people about these bills," said another student and proposed that the participants send out more information on the bills. (end)