Extra

New: Meeting with Visitors from Okinawa and Berkeley City Council Members and Members of the Asian-American Community

from J.George Lippman, Chair, Peace and Justice Commission
Monday August 03, 2015 - 07:57:00 AM

On May 4, the City of Berkeley Peace and Justice Commission proposed a resolution in support of the people of the island of Okinawa, Japan.  

The intent of the resolution is to support the people of Okinawa in their strong, courageous fight against a proposed U.S. Marine base in Henoko and Oura Bay in Nago City on the northern coast of Okinawa. (The text of the resolution is attached separately.)  

This is a critical moment for the people of Okinawa in their fight against the very destructive US Base project. 

The proposed base would, according to Foreign Policy in Focus, have drastic ramifications: “it will destroy local marine life, pollute natural resources, and put residents in danger. Even more disturbingly, it reflects the long- term violation of Okinawans’ democratic rights—namely, their ability to set the policies that affect their lives;”  

The meeting will be an opportunity to learn directly from the Okinawan representatives about their people's struggles and their appreciation for Berkeley's support. 

The Nago city assembly adopted on June 30 a resolution expressing the assembly's appreciation for all international support including the Berkeley Peace and Justice Commission's resolution for Okinawa's struggle against the military base construction in Henoko and Oura Bay in Nago. Takuma will present a copy of the resolution to the Council at the meeting. 

When: TODAY, Monday, August 3, 1 PM 

Where: Cypress Room, First Floor, 

City Administration Building, 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley 

 

Okinawa delegation: 

1. Takuma Higashionna, a member of the Assembly (or City Council) of Nago City, Okinawa, Japan (population: 62,659) 

2. Edo Heinrich-Sanchez, a member of the U.S. Veterans for Peace and an environmentalist living in Okinawa  

3. Mr. Toma, a frequent participant/presenter at UN indigenous people related events. He will be interpreting for Takuma. 

 

 

George Lippman, Peace and Justice Commission Chair 

Mary Nicely, Peace and Justice Commission Member and host of the meeting