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| 'Human chain' calls for immediate return of U.S. Futenma base site On May 16, about 16,000 people braved the scorching heat in Okinawa to form a 11.5 km "human chain" encircling the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City, calling for the base site to be returned without condition. The action was organized by an organizing committee involving the Japanese Communist, Okinawa Social Mass, Social Democratic, and Democratic parties, as well as labor unions and peace groups. At a rally held following the action in front of the Ginowan City Hall, Mayor Iha Yoichi thanked the protesters and expressed his determination to continue to urge the Japanese and U.S. governments to unconditionally return the U.S. Futenma base site in 5 years. The "human chain" action was preceded by a rally sponsored by the Okinawa Prefectural Liaison Council for United Action for Abrogation of the Security Treaty and Defending People's Living and Democracy. Speaking to the participants that included about 100 people from the mainland, JCP House of Representatives member Akamine Seiken stated, "We, Okinawans, are the ones who disproportionately experienced the sorrow of losing family members in war, and our action in protest against U.S. bases in Okinawa is a manifestation of solidarity with the Iraqi people opposing the U.S. military occupation of their country." Ginowan City has created an action program calling for the Futenma base site to be returned to the city by 2008. (end) |
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