News from the Peace For Okinawa Coalition

Naha, Okinawa, Ryukyu - Ryukyuans and friends are outraged over recent comments by Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

Suga recently stated his belief that "the people of Okinawa are coming to an understanding" regarding the construction of the new military base at Henoko, Okinawa. This is despite Okinawan's decades-long resistance to the base. 
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In February 2019 the people of Okinawa Prefecture voted overwhelmingly against the base, with over 70% of the population voting 'no' and another 9% voting undecided. A petition calling for a stop to the construction started by Peace For Okinawa Coalition President Rob Kajiwara has garnered over 212,000 signatures on it. 

Ryukyu independence activist and YouTuber Yuzo Takayama likened Suga's comments to "a stalker who is constantly rejected, but still tries to reinterpret the rejections in a manner favorable to himself." 

STATEMENT REGARDING U.S. PERPETUATED INJUSTICES;
RACISM, OPPRESSION, MILITARISM, and IMPERIALISM

June 3, 2020 For immediate release
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The Peace For Okinawa Coalition stands with the American people in their struggle against United States racism, injustice, militarism, and imperialism.

We acknowledge the long history of United States oppression and racism against Native Americans, African Americans, and others.

We acknowledge that U.S. perpetuated injustices; racism, oppression, militarism, environmental degradation, and imperialism, remain deeply embedded to this day.

We grieve over the senseless murder of George Floyd, as well as the numerous others who have been wrongfully murdered by the United States.

We acknowledge that the public demonstrations that began on May 25, 2020 after the murder of Mr. Floyd are a result of generations of ongoing systemic injustice and oppression within the United States.

We acknowledge that throughout these demonstrations United States police and military forces have violently attacked peaceful, law-abiding civilians, including some who were not part of any protest or demonstration. We acknowledge that these attacks have also been targeted against children, elderly, and members of the press. We acknowledge that these attacks have left some civilians seriously and/or permanently injured, including the murder of David McAtee. We acknowledge that United States police and military forces have instigated violence against civilians, and condemn their abuse of power.

We acknowledge that throughout these protests U.S. police and military forces have committed numerous serious human rights violations against civilians, and we call for the United Nations and other international organizations to hold the United States accountable.

In addition to territorial occupation of other nations, we acknowledge the United States has a long history of oppression, militarism, and imperialism against Ryukyu, a de jure independent country under illegal occupation by both the U.S. and Japan. We remain resolute in our opposition to all U.S. and Japanese soldiers and police stationed in Ryukyu against the will of the Ryukyuan people.