Nydia Leaf from GPB　NYC visitｓ Japan again

STATEMENT FROM THE GRANNY PEACE BRIGADE


The New York City Granny Peace Brigade joins with other international Peace and Justice organizations in declaring that the United States MUST BEGIN CLOSING OVERSEAS BASES TO ENSURE US & GLOBAL SECURITY.

More than half a century after the end of WWII and the Korean War, the U.S. maintains base sites in Germany, Japan, and South Korea, and in many other locations. (Recently it has announced plans for expanding to Africa.)

Opposition in Japan to the presence of U.S. bases, and especially to bases in Okinawa, is well documented. Overseas bases have impacted relations between the two countries; they are viewed by many in both nations as infringing on Japan’s sovereignty. Bases on foreign soil have important social, legal, environmental, ethical, cultural and financial implications.

In a time of economic crisis, the fiscal burden of maintaining U.S. overseas bases is too great. Unlike domestic bases, overseas bases siphon taxpayer money away from the U.S. Critical needs at home and abroad are not being addressed. In the aftermath of corruption scandals in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. public now knows how private base contractors are the ones enriched and benefiting from the bases.

As Secretary of State Hilary Clinton observed in 2012, the foreign policy objective of the United States has pivoted from Asia to the Pacific Region. However, overseas bases do not bring about “Democracy” in regions – on the contrary, they destabilize them. Bases become lightning rods for attacks on the U.S. encouraging resentment, anger, protests and anti-Americanism. Military spending and weapon flows increase in the regions surrounding bases. They discourage the very diplomacy which is essential to better global relations.

The citizens of Okinawa have paid a high cost because of the presence of U.S. bases. The incidents of health hazards, crime, noise pollution, violations of girls and women, and the destruction of pristine ecological areas in Okinawa demonstrate the need for a new policy on overseas bases.

We support the citizens of Japan who call for closing U.S. bases on their land. The U. S. has a land mass more than twenty-five times that of Japan – let all those acres of land occupied by the United States for its bases, its forces, their families and their recreation (golf courses and cafes) be returned to the people of Japan.

For these and other reasons, the Granny Peace Brigade urges Congress to assume its constitutional responsibilities. It should review Status of Forces Agreements (SOFAs) which are, functionally, treaties, and it must fund the clean up of military toxics sites for restoration to other uses.

IT IS TIME FOR THE U.S. CONGRESS TO EXAMINE
THE OVERSEAS BASE STRUCTURE AND TO PLAN CLOSURES –
NOT RELOCATIONS OR EXPANSIONS OF BASES.


March 2013

Category Infomation 情報 |

Codepink　Osaka　JAPAN　actionreport２０１２・１１－１２

サンフランシスコで‘No Nuke アクション’に参加
　昨年の11月9日から10日間サンフランシスコに逗留してきました。フクシマの状況をアメリカの市民、研究者等に訴えるグループに入れていただいてシンポジウム等で発言の機会もえました。その合間をぬって現地のNo Nukeアクションにも参加しました。
フクシマ原発事故直後にサンフランシスコに住む日系アメリカ人達が中心になって「Fukushima Response　フクシマ・レスポンス」というグループを立ち上げました。日本政府に声を届けようと日本領事館前で毎週集いを開き、政府への申し入れも手渡しています。私たちが参加した時には「あ～許すまじ原発（原爆）を」と歌っている女性たちが次々に発言され、原発ゼロへの思いを共有しました。大阪から来た私たちも発言してと請われてマイクを握って関電前で続けている行動、とりわけ「大飯原発再稼働反対」の思いを訴えました。車イスを押してもらって参加されていた男性（９０歳）は原爆投下後初の原水禁大会に参加するために広島を訪れた時の様子を話されました。背後に「Repose Ye in peace, for the Error shall never be repeated.　やすらかにお眠りください、あやまちは繰り返しませんから 　ノー・モア・ヒロシマ 　ノー・モア・ウォー」と書かれた大きなポスターが置かれていました。アメリカ市民として生きてきた彼の思い、そして再びアメリカが関与した原発事故でのノー・モア・フクシマへの思いが込められたポスターでした。

コードピンク10周年　ブッシュの戦争もオバマの戦争も許せません
その間に創立10周年の行動を全米規模で展開していたCodepink Women for Peaceの女性たちとサンフランシスコで合流し行動を共にすることができました。金門橋でのピース・ウォ-―クにも参加しました。
オバマ大統領2期目にはいったアメリカで、アメリカの平和運動は健在でした。ブッシュ共和党政権下での戦争、民主党オバマ政権になっても続くアメリカの戦争に抗議し非暴力の直接行動を続けていました。

日本での選挙結果を受けて
私たちがまだサンフランシスコに逗留中に衆議院の解散のニュースが入ってきました。私たち有権者の中には脱原発の運動の盛り上がりで、「脱原発」で頑張ってくれる議員を一人でも多く議会に送るチャンスと
感じた人が多かったのではないでしょうか。フクシマ・レスポンスの人たちも「私たちは投票できなくて残念だけど、日本の有権者の皆さんにはがんばってほしい」とエールを送ってくださいました。
結果は自民党の圧勝ですが、二大政党制の苦渋を舐め続けているアメリカの平和運動家にとっては、現政権への怒り、落胆は対立する野党に向かい自分たちの推す候補者にはこないで体制が維持されることは自明の理。民主党への失望が自民党への回帰につながったことを冷静にうけとめているようです。
私たちが草の根でもっと、もっと大きな力をもたなければならないのですね。そのために何をすればいいのでしょうか。デモ、集会など直接行動、メール、ツイッターなどソーシャル・メディアで繋がる、等々

Category Infomation 情報 |

In the Women’s Building

Why We Do What We DoWhy We Do What We Do:
For the Bechtel Action on June 5, 2003
Why do we do what we do?
Get up early, stand up to block
an ugly brown office building
and shut the ugly work
of water-theft down for the day.
Chant, jeers, sing, dance, talk, shout
and watch in silence as our friends
are arrested. Get arrested.
Confront the cops. Observe the cops.
Do yoga,meet lovers, burst into laughter
as the arrested men rock the cop van,hard.
Why?
Because we can.
Because we know what it is to hold
the hot limp body of a child suffering from diarrhea,
and to worry about that child.
Because access to clean water as a human right.
Because we shut them down or
they shut us down and in, forever.
Because this government and this corporation
are coupled obscenely and fucking the world.
and we refuse to watch silently, and longer
Because Bechtel makes us thirsty for justice
Because on this planet called Earth
that could be the planet called Water,
we remember he waters of Babylon
poisoned with bombs and sewage and depleted
uranium.
Because we are here, now, and this is our work.
Because we love the joy of coming together.
Because although it is late, it iis not yet too late.
Because we can.
written by Janet Weil
私たち何でこんなことやっているの：
2003 年６月5 日ベクテル社前抗議行動によせて
私たち何でこんなことやっているの
朝早くに駆けつけて
醜い茶色のオフィスビルの前に集まって
会社の業務を阻止して
醜い‘水泥棒’をやめさせようと日がな一日
行動するなんて、チャント、野次、歌、踊り、
おしゃべり、叫び、そして仲間たちが逮捕されるの
をじっと見つめる 次々に逮捕されていくのを
警官と対決する者、警官の様子を伺う者、
ヨガをする者、恋人と落ち合う者、笑い転げる者
逮捕され護送車に詰め込まれた男たちが
中から車を激しく揺らしている
何故？
私たちにはできる力があるからよ
何を手放さず守りとおすべきか知ってるからよ
熱にうなされ下痢が止まらずぐったりした
子どものことが心配だからよ
清潔な水を飲めることは人権でしょ、
連中はそれをさせないようにしようとしているの
私たちを黙らせて、ベクテル社は強行するつもりよ
アメリカ政府はベクテル社とグルになって
世界を食い物にしようとしているの
私たちは、もう黙って見過ごさない
ベクテル社は私たちを正義に飢えさせるの、
この地球と呼ばれる星は
水の惑星と呼べるほど水に恵まれた星なのに、
私たち‘バビロンの水’のことを思う、
爆弾、汚水、劣化ウランで汚された水のことを
ここに今、私たちが居るのは
これが私たちの仕事だからよ
今さら遅い？そうね。でも、
遅すぎはしない、今からできるのよ。
訳 尾川ひさえ

Category Infomation 情報 |

CP Osaka visits S.F.to join 10th anniversary

Category Infomation 情報 |

2012 CODEPINK JAPAN & GREEN TEA PARTY

☆★☆☆☆★☆☆☆★☆☆☆★☆☆☆★☆☆☆★☆☆★☆★★☆☆★☆★
Ｇreen Tea Party for Peace ａｎｄ
ｔｈｅ Ｗｏｒｌｄ ｆｒｅｅ ｆｒｏｍ Ｎｕｋｅｓ ＆ Ｎｕｃｌｅａｒ Ｐｏｗｅｒ Ｐｌａｎｔｓ
平和と核兵器・原発のない世界めざすグリーン・ティー・パーティー
Ｃｏｄｅｐｉｎｋｅｒｓ ｇｌｏｃａｌ ａｃｔｉｏｎｓ ｉｎ Ｊａｐａｎ
ｗｈｅｎ： ２７／２／２０１２ ｗｈｅｒｅ： Ｓｈｉｚｕｏｋａ， ＪＡＰＡＮ
☆★☆☆☆☆★☆☆★☆☆☆☆★☆☆☆★☆☆☆★☆☆☆★☆☆☆★☆☆☆
Ｍａｒｃｈ １１ ２０１２，１ ｙｅａｒ ａｎｉｖｅｒｓａｒｙ ｏｆ Ｆｕｋｕｓｈｉｍａ ｎｕｃｌｅａｒ ｃａｔａｓｔｒｏｐｈ ｃｏｉｎｓｉｄｅｓ ｔｈｅ
ａｎｉｖｅｒｓａｒｙ ｏｆ “Ｂｒａｖｏ” Ｈ－ｂｏｍｂ ｔｅｓｔｉｎｇ ａｔ Ｂｉｋｉｎｉ Ａｔｏｌｌ ｉｎ １９５４.
Ｅｖｅｒｙ ｙｅａｒ ａｒｏｕｎｄ Ｍａｒｃｈ １，ｐｒｏｔｅｓｔｉｎｇ ｔｏ ｔｈｅ Ｈ－ｂｏｍｂ ｔｅｓｔｉｎｇ，ｐａｙｉｎｇ ｔｒｉｂｕｔｅ ｔｏ ｔｈｅ
ｖｉｃｔｉｍｓ ａｎｄ ｅｘｐｒｅｓｓｉｎｇ ｔｈｅ ｄｅｔｅｒｍｉｎａｔｉｏｎ ｆｏｒ ｔｈｅ ｎｕｃｌｅａｒ ｆｒｅｅ ｗｏｒｌｄ， ｐｅｏｐｌｅ ｆｒｏｍ ａｌｌ
ｏｖｅｒ Ｊａｐａｎ ａｓ ｗｅｌｌ ａｓ ｆｒｏｍ ｍａｎｙ ｃｏｕｎｔｒｉｅｓ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｗｏｒｌｄ ｇａｔｈｅｒ ｉｎ Ｓｈｉｚｕｏｋａ．
Ｙａｉｚｕ ｃｉｔｙ ｉｎ Ｓｈｉｚｕｏｋａ ｈａｓ ａ ｆｉｎｅ ｐｏｒｔ ｆｏｒ ｆｉｓｈｉｎｇ ｂｏａｔｓ. “Ｔｈｅ ５ｔｈ Ｌｕｃｋｙ Ｄｒａｇｏｎ”
ｗｈｉｃｈ ｗａｓ ｅｘｐｏｓｅｄ ｔｏ ｔｈｅ ｎｕｃｌｅａｒ ｆａｌｌｏｕｔ ｉｎ Ｂｉｋｉｎｉ，ｍａｄｅ ｉｔｓ ｗａｙ ｂａｃｋ ｔｏ Ｙａｉｚｕ ｐｏｒｔ.
ａｆｔｅｒ Ｈ ｂｏｍｂ ｔｅｓｔｉｎｇ． Ｔｈｅ ｃｒｅｗ ｍｅｍｂｅｒｓ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ Ｌｕｃｋｙ Ｄｒａｇｏｎ ｗｅｒｅ ｉｎｄｅｅｄ ｈｅｒｏｅｓ ｔｏ
ｈａｖｅ ｅｖｉｄｅｎｃｅｄ ａｎｄ ｗａｒｎｅｄ ｔｈｅ ｗｏｒｌｄ ｔｈｅ ｃｒｕｅｌｔｙ ａｎｄ ｍａｄｎｅｓｓ ｏｆ ｒａｄｉａｔｉｏｔｎ ｃａｔａｓｔｒｏｐｈ
ｔｏ ｔｈｅ ｗｏｒｌｄ ａｔ ｔｈｅ ｃｏｓｔ ｏｆ ｔｈｅｉｒ ｏｗｎ ｌｉｖｅｓ．
Ｃｏｄｅｐｉｎｋ Ｏｓａｋａ ＪＡＰＡＮ ｆｉｎｄｓ ｉｔ ｓｏ ｉｍｐｅｒａｔｉｖｅ ｆｏｒ ｔｈｅ ｇｒａｓｓｒｏｏｔ ｗｏｍｅｎ ｆｏｒ
ｐｅａｃｅ ａｎｄ ｎｕｃｌｅａｒ ｆｒｅｅ ｗｏｒｌｄ ｔｏ ｇｅｔ ｔｏｇｅｔｈｅｒ ｉｎ Ｓｈｉｚｕｏｋａ ｉｎ ｓｕｐｐｏｒｔ ｏｆ ３．１
Ｂｉｋｉｎｉ Ｄａｙ ａｃｔｉｏｎ． Ｗｅ ａｒｅ ｐｌａｎｎｉｎｇ ｔｏ ｈｏｌｄ ａ Ｃｏｄｅｐｉｎｋｅｒｓ ｇｌｏｃａｌ
ｗｏｒｋｓｈｏｐ ｏｎ ２７ｔｈ Ｆｅｂｒｕａｒｙ ｉｎ Ｓｈｉｚｕｏｋａ．
Ｔｏ ｍａｋｅ ｔｈｅ ｗｏｒｋｓｈｏｐ ｒｅａｌｌｙ ｇｌｏｃａｌ ｗｅ ｎｅｅｄ ｔｈｅ ａｃｔｉｖｅ ｅｎｇａｇｅｍｅｎｔ ａｎｄ ｈｅｌｐ ｏｆ
ｂｏｔｈ ｌｏｃａｌ ａｎｄ ｇｌｏｂａｌ ｇｒｏｕｐｓ ａｎｄ ｉｎｄｉｖｉｄｕａｌｓ． Ｗｅ’ｄ ｌｉｋｅ ｔｏ ｈａｖｅ Ｃｏｄｅｐｉｎｋ ｓｉｓｔｅｒｓ
ａｎｄ ｇｒａｎｎｉｅｓ ｆｒｏｍ ｔｈｅ ＵＳ ａｎｄ ｆｒｏｍ ａｂｒｏａｄ ｔｏ ｃｏｍｅ ａｎｄ ｊｏｉｎ ｕｓ．Ｗｅ ｎｅｅｄ ｙｏｕｒ
ｃｏｍｐａｎｙ ａｎｄ ｓｕｐｐｏｒｔ ｔｏ ｌｅｔ ｏｕｒ ｖｏｉｃｅｓ ｂｅ ｈｅａｒｄ ｔｏ ｔｈｅ ｗｏｒｌｄ．
Ｐｌｅａｓｅ ｃｏｍｅ ａｎｄ ｊｏｉｎ ｕｓ ａｎｄ ｓｅｎｄ ｙｏｕｒ ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓ ｔｏ Ｓｈｉｚｕｏｋａ．

グリーン・ティー・パーティー プログラム / Green tea Party Program Feb.27,2012
Part I
moderator H.OGAWA start １３：３０
１． 実行委員挨拶・紹介 greetings from the organizers
黙 祷 silent prayer
尾川Hisae OGAWA, CODEPINK Osaka / Takako KASUYA, Shizuoka）
冨田（Narumi TOMIDA Kyoto ）
２．挨拶 greeting from a Hibakusha from Shizuoka 川本 司郎( Shiro KAWAMOTO 被爆者の会会長 president Hibakusha association）
３．ミニミニ・コンサート Mini Concert 野田 淳子(京都)Junko NODA, Kyoto シンガー・ソングライター singer・song writer
４．フクシマと「オキュパイ・ウォールストリート」運動
Fukushima and “Occupy Wall Street” Movement
後藤 宣代 Ｎｏｂｕｙｏ ＧOTO ( Fukushima 福島、Lecturer ）
福島県立医科大学（ Fukushima Ｍｅｄｉｃａｌ Ｕｎｉｖｅｒｓｉｔｙ ）
５．紙芝居・祈りの折り鶴 イギリス訪問報告
Kamishibai story telling and visit UK report
佐治 妙心（麻希） （静岡・妙蔵寺）Myoshin(Maki)SAJI, Shizuoka Myozo-ji temple Buddhist
priest
６．長崎で被ばくした母の話 My mother & A-bombing in Nagasaki 大口 彰子 （大阪）Akiko OGUCHI, Osaka
７．宗教者として Faith and peace action, my case 冨田 成美 （京都・キリスト者）Narumi TOMIDA,Kyoto Christian
８．第五福竜丸物語（暗唱）Lucy Dragon story telling
ビキニ水爆実験から原発導入へ from Bikini testing
to building nuclear power plants in Japan
西脇 朋生 （静岡）Tomoo NISHIWAKI, Shizuoka
粕谷 たか子（静岡・母親大会連絡会）Takako KASUYA Shizuoka Mothers Congress
Part II(お茶を飲みながら）進行係 粕谷 serving green tea moderator Takako KASUYA １５：２４～ １６：４０
９． 参加者紹介 getting to know each other 自 己 紹 介
１０． green tea を栽培して growing green tea in Japan 杵塚 歩 (静岡・農民連）Ａyumi KINEZUKA, Shizuoka, green tea farmer
１１．折り鶴を作ろう making ORIZURU paper cranes 尾川 知 （大阪）Tomo OGAWA、 Osaka 折り紙作家：Ｐaper Ｆolder
１２．ＤＶＤ上映 Documentary on Granny Peace Brigade
「おばあちゃんの平和旅団」
芝田 朋美（静岡）Tomomi SHIBATA, Shizuoka
DVD documentary on Granny Peace Brigade NYC
１３．被災地と海外との交流
Exchange with oversea friends for Fukushima
奈良 勝行 (東京・新英研）Katsuyoki NARA Tokyo
English teacher
１４Using Social Movement Theory to Maximize Protest participation
社会運動論を駆使して抵抗運動に多数の市民の参加を呼びかける
ライアン・シーブルック（フルブライト大学院研究生・静岡大学外国人研究者） Ｒyan
Seebruck, Fulbright researcher in Shizuoka University
１５．参加者交流 from the floor
閉 会 close １６：４０

Fukushima and the “Occupy Wall Street” movement

―Global Protester Movement― GOTO Nobuyo 　Fukushima Medical University

Introduction - in 2011 people in various parts of the world stood up to raise their voices of

indignation against the Establishment.

1. By 15^th October 2011, “global occupations” took place in 82 countries and 1,000 cities.

“Who is 99%? Without names and faces, we are the wounded and enraged earth.”

2. “Time” magazine carried an article “2011 person of the year ” covering “The Protester”

all over the world including “No Nuclear Power Plants” movement in Japan.

3. Direct actions with non violence and Internet communication as solidarity media

I. 2011, protesters around the world : four seasons starts with “Indignation”

Spring:

Arab: in Dec. 2010 a Tunisian fruit vendor set himself on fire in a public square in protest to the government. →　in Jan. Jasmine Revolution →　occupy Tahrir Square in Cairo Egypt

Japan: in May a family-farmer in Fukushima killed himself in protest to the radiation contamination on the organic cabbages grown in his farm →　indignation being spread among family-farmers and residents→ who affected by radiation finally started the concerted protest action against the government and TEPCO. They were at the beginning enduring the hardship quietly as the oversea media reported and were supportive to “cheer up Japan, never give up Fukushima” campaign.

Summer:

Europe: in Spain and Greece, occupations protesting against financial crisis, unemployment , and austerity. In UK, the rebel of the unemployed youth.

Tens of thousands of young people have been occupying Puerta del Sol Square in Madrid, who call themselves as “We have no houses, no jobs, no pensions, and nothing to lose and worry about” and are named as “indignados( indignation) , May 15 movement”→　6 million people around Spain joined the actions.

Autumn : Occupy Wall Street movement started →　spread nation wide in the US and around the world.

Winter : Russians protest against the election corruption. 20 years passed after the Soviet Union collapsed. Russians are angry about the succeeding government.

II. Background of the “Occupy Wall Street” Movement

1. 1. inception On Jul. 13, 2011 “Adbusters”,a radical anti-consumerist organization based in Vancouver Canada, issued a call by　Web　stating “Are you ready for a Tahrir moment? On Sept. 1 7, flood into lower Manhattan, set up tents,kitchens,peaceful barricades and occupy Wall Street.”

It says” Wall Street is the financial Gomorrah of America and the greatest corrupter of democracy.

It’s time for DEMOCRACY NOT CORPORATOCRACY. “

1. 2. preparation Aug. 2 　slogans: “ We are 99 %”, “Occupy Wall Street”

mode of occupation and decision making :general assembly( direct democracy)

1. 3. commencement Sep. 17 those who are attending at Zuccotti Park is 2.000 people and make voluntary working groups
2. 4. present occupation is keeping within the building(public space in 1^st floor) since last Nov.

1)

Ⅲ. “Occupy Wall Street” Movement characters

1. 1. No-leader, but The catalysts

①　Kalle Lasn : Canadian editor of Adbusters, who proposed to people for gathering on Sep. 17

② David Graeber : cultural anthropologist living in London, who is the founder of the slogans “ We are 99%”, “ Occupy Wall Street”.

③ Yotam Marom : political organizer, educator, and writer based in New York, a member of the Organization for a Free Society, planned an earlier live-in protest in downtown Manhattan

④ Kaylee Dedrick : teacher’s aide, being pepper-sprayed drew crowds

1. 2. method

① occupation rather than demonstration, rally and demand; decision making through the general assembly every day

② voluntary working groups ( ex.: media, kitchen, sanitary, medical, library, etc )

③ internet(Social Media: open, share, de-centralization)

④ peopled microphone ( no loud speakers )

⑤ papers, journals free paper like as “Occupied Wall Street Journal”

1. 3. summery

① creation of new way of life based on the direct democracy

② creation of city revolution through occupation of public open spaces





IV. voices of indignation and direct actions in Fukushima

1. 1. Apr.26 – family-farmers direct action to the head office of TEPCO demanding full compensation for the revival of Fukushima

features of the actions a. sympathy towards the self killing of a family-farmer engaged in organic farming and indignation against TEPCO, b. voluntary, c. rejection of TEPCO’s bills, making their own bills of particulars covering their farm products like peaches, persimmons, etc damaged by radiation to charge TEPCO, d. demonstrating their indignation in visible ways such as driving farm truck along putting their cattles on board and raising ‘rice straw mat banners’, symbols of peasants revolts, with protest messages.

e. attract mass-medias to report their actions on the top pages thus change the public opinion

2. May 23 – Mothers and parents rushed to the Ministry of Education and Science demanding to protect Fukushima children from radiation.

features of the actions a. sharing concerns over radiation through internet b. organize voluntary workshop to study on radiation. C. direct negotiation with the Ministry of Education and Science and the authorities: saying “don’t treat our kids as guinea pigs” and demanding to reduce the annual radiation level from 20 to 1 milli sievert They were successful in those actions. d. The network to protect Children in Fukushima has expanded to the nation wide network through internet and has received positive responses from overseas. A number of international NGOs have come to Japan for the on the spot researches.

3. New features: start from the individuals ‘ anger ‘,’ indignation ’, ‘ concern ‘ →　through internet share their feeling and do voluntary actions →　forming open forum for anybody can join and share: ex. protest actions, study workshops, measuring radiation, making maps of hot spots, etc. They are leading ‘mother’s scientist’ , ‘mother’s revolution.’

The classical scientific revolution in the 17^th century: new tool

Galileo vs. Catholic authority telescope

Now : Mothers vs. Central Government and TEPCO radiation measuring devices and Net

V. New character of Fukushima , “Occupy Wall Street” and “The protester” movement

1. 1. principle: ‘indignation’ over injustice and dignity of human beings
2. 2. actions: direct action with non violence ,self expressive and festival
3. 3. media: internet( open to public, share, collective decision making, de-centralization)
4. 4. Subject: youths and women in diversity

Closing

Towards 2012 spring

1. 1. “The Declaration of the Occupation of New York City” by the NYC General Assembly

“We saw seeds in the Fall,　They blossom in the Spring.”

On Jul. 4, Independence Day, 2012, all US general assembly will be held in Philadelphia.

1. 2. Fukushima: focus and conflicts

① on the provisional food safety regulation for radiation dosage

ministry of health & labor vs. ministry of education science

cesium 137 and the internal radiation exposure

② decontamination:

General contractor of Big business in Tokyo vs. small business in Fukushima

③ compensation:

residents vs. TEPCO and central government

Category Infomation 情報 |

2011 CODEPINK Osaka JAPAN in action

 

Inviting Ms.Nydia Leaf from Granny Peace Brigade New York

2011 WORLD CONFERENCE AND JAPAN TRIP REPORT

GENSUIKYO – COUNCIL AGAINST ATOMIC AND HYDROGEN BOMBS

In many ways my trip to the 2011 World Conference Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs was an extension and expansion of a peace sisterhood launched May 4, 2010 during the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty meetings at the United Nations.  That event was called “The Green Tea Party” and attendees came from Code Pink/New York, Code Pink/Osaka and the Granny Peace Brigade.

The following report is written from the perspective of a New York City activist visiting Japan for the first time.  My impressions combine some awareness of Japan’s political and cultural landscape and fresh responses to the social currents observed briefly in Osaka, Hiroshima and Kyoto.

 

AUGUST 1 Monday–

Arriving at Kansai airport Hisae Ogawa, director of Code Pink/Osaka and Akiko Oguchi, a CP member, met me and accompanied me to an informal dinner with several Gensuikyo/Osaka officials and Joseph Gerson, Director of Peace Programs for American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).   Mr. Yukio Iwata (Chairman), Mr. Masaaki Komatsu (Secretary General) and Mr. Haruo Ueba all spoke English giving the dinner a relaxed mood. 

 

AUGUST 2 Tuesday –

Dorothy Dufour of Code Pink/Sapporo and a Green Tea party attendee, joined us as we went to a gathering of Shinfujin/Osaka. Shinfujin (New Japan Women’s Association)has called for eliminating the “sympathy budget” of $1.6 Billion annually which the Japanese people pay for the more than 100 U.S. bases in Okinawa and Japan. Eiko Miyamoto, the Chairperson of the Osaka Society of International Women’s Year, greeted us. With Hisae-san interpreting I described the Granny Peace Brigade (GPB) and its activities to a group of about 25 women.  The questions that followed focused on GPB actions opposing the militarization of U.S. youth and recruitment in our schools.  This concern recurred often during my trip. 

The presentation for the Osaka Gensuikyo was attended by 40-45 people – Mr. Komatsu explained that a delegation of 358 would go to Nagasaki and hence only a few would come to our talk.  The program began with songs by a gifted performer, Junko Noda, and was a welcoming start.  I reviewed GPB and its actions outlining the work of our committees.  In his talk Joe Gerson said he was inspired by the resilience of the Japanese people and the peace movement.  He stressed the significance of the March 11^th earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima catastrophe and called it a major “turning point” in Japanese history, providing a signal for a change in policies.

There was little time for Q&A as we were taking the bullet train to Hiroshima and needed to arrive at the Sunroute Hotel for the 7 pm overseas delegates’ Orientation.  The largest groups came from Korea (15),

India (12) and China (8) with five from the USA.  Then our Hiroshima homestay hostess, Reiko Funada, brought Hisae, Dorothy and me to her lovely home where we stayed for five nights.

 

AUGUST 3 – Wednesday morning

From the Sunroute Hotel small groups of overseas delegates were escorted to briefings at various hospitals.  This provided a way for conference delegates to learn up to date information about the Hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) and to become acquainted with each other.  The Red Cross Hospital gave us a booklet and a briefing physician reviewed the information in more detail.  Badly destroyed by the bomb, the hospital was only 1.5 km from the epicenter, and its new building is designed with an atrium – modern, light and very busy.  66 years after the bombs, it treats approximately 100 in-patients and up to 280 outpatients daily.  Just recently a gene mutation has begun to appear for the first time.  Their concern is for those who were 0-10 years of age in 1945, as well as persons now from the Fukushima area.  On the lawn outside is a blasted section of the original hospital – the bomb force is evident in the twisted metal window frames and the wrecked brick and mortar walls.

 

AUGUST 3 – Wednesday Afternoon through  AUGUST 5 – Friday   CONFERENCE SESSIONS

Plenary sessions and workshops of the 2011 World Conference Against A & H Bombs took place at the Bunka Koryu Kaikai Hall.  The opening plenary began promptly at 2 p.m. and after preliminary welcome greetings and introductions, conference chairs were selected.  Among them was Corazon Fabros from the Philippines who led the victorious struggle to close the USA base at Subic Bay and is now engaged in the campaign to end the “Visiting” Forces Agreement. (She is barred entry to the USA.)

The continuing shadow of Fukushima hung over the conference, especially with revelations in newly declassified documents of President Eisenhower and Secretary of State John Foster Dulles that the U.S. “sold” atomic power plants to Japan.  An article in the July 24, 2011 Japan Times described the U.S. policy initiated in October 1954 to “remove the strong Japanese notion that atomic and nuclear energy is primarily destructive.”

Themes introduced were the joint Abolition of Nuclear Weapons and Power Plants, Hibakusha compensation, and future NPT Preparatory conferences, and papers presented at the conference sessions amplified these ideas.  Overseas presenters spoke of their solidarity and concern for the Japanese people in the aftermath of Fukushima. 

Detailing each delegate’s message would be repetitive. Instead here follows a broad list of the most trenchant points to help further our aim of sharing information:

-          The complacency of 25 years post-Chernobyl has been shattered by Fukushima and has shifted the balance in organizations from strictly anti-nuke to now encompass nuclear power plants.  The 442 nuclear plants in 29 countries produce 15% of total electricity needs.  An international non-violent struggle for complete energy transformation has already begun.

-          Nuclear Weapons abolition remains our most urgent task.  23,000 Nuclear Weapons exist and 2000 are maintained on a high alert status.  The technology is too complex to be mastered; thus “safety” is a myth.  Likewise the Cold War strategy of “Mutual Assured Deterrence” is now exposed as myth.

-          The 2015 NPT conference should be held in Hiroshima with significant progress to be made at the U.N. prep com meetings in 2012 and 2014; no significant progress has been made since last year’s NPT meetings, in particular, work towards a nuclear free zone in the Middle East..

-          The need for a Nuclear Weapons Convention is clearer now than ever before.  The Non-Aligned Movement in May 2011 proposed a high-level international conference “to identify ways and means of eliminating nuclear weapons.”

-          The peoples of Japan and Guam have been caught in the middle of geopolitics that compromises the safety of the entire world.  Peace and stability in Northeast Asia (China, Japan, Korea) is possible through regional cooperation.

-          It is important to create Nuclear Free Zones, especially in the Middle East.  Mayors For Peace, the world’s largest organization working to abolish Nuclear Weapons, has 5000 member cities representing nearly one billion people.

-          According to SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) annual military spending is $1.6 Trillion of which 100 Billion is for the nuclear industry.

-          The U.S. has violated the NPT by illegally deploying nuclear weapons on its European bases.  The German government was forced to admit that 20 U.S. nuclear bombs are deployed in Buchel.  Now Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Norway have called on the U.S. to remove nuclear weapons from their territory.

-          U.S. bases – Because of two Marine bases located at Mt. Fuji, the site cannot be registered as a World Cultural Heritage site.   In the Philippines, the U.S. closed its base in 1992 but left a heavily contaminated area with resultant cancers like leukemia and miscarriages.  This is a lesson for Japan to learn that it must stop hosting the USA.

-          The City of Kobe has banned the presence of U.S. nuclear warships and submarines.  Other cities in Japan should do likewise.

-          A strong call for No More Hibakusha.  Victims of Agent Orange should also be remembered. Korean Hibakusha abroad should be entitled to the same welfare benefits and compensation as Japanese Hibakusha.  Likewise now for the new Hibakusha resulting from the Fukushima Daiichi plants. 

-          Chernobyl in 1986 has left millions who suffer its consequences but true facts are not available.  In 1959 a contract between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) permits WHO release of information about radiation impact only after consultation with the IAEA. 

-          Death tolls continue to climb in the Marshall Islands after the 1954 Hydrogen bomb (Bikini) test and nuclear claims for compensation and restitution meet with little or no response from the U.S.

-          Victims of the 193 tests conducted by France over a 30 year period (150 underground and 43 above) have struggled with the French government for compensation for tests in Polynesia and Algeria.  They have launched an Appeal for a United Nations conference to take up the issue of Nuclear Test sites around the world for cleaning, rehabilitating and developing of all regions so affected.

-          “Don’t send our Students to Battlefields.”   Education for Peace is essential and textbooks need to be monitored for their description of nuclear energy – “Renewable Energy Sources” are usually portrayed as insufficient to meet energy needs. 

The message from Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to the Conference, delivered by Sergio Duarte, U.N. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, thanked Gensuikyo for its role in the work of disarmament.  Mr. Duarte called the gathering a “Collective Conscience” that must push for accountability and while, acknowledging the many obstacles as countries continue to modernize their arsenals, he expressed his gratitude for Gensuikyo’s contributions. 

AUGUST 6 – Saturday –

HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL CEREMONY – 8 to 8:45 a.m.

As a U.S. citizen attending this solemn, formal commemoration, the event was very painful – it was the U.S. that unleashed this horror on the world and inflicted a nightmare of destruction on the people of Japan.  The Peace Park area was set with 12,000 chairs; escorts to seats done quietly with no frenzy; a program and a flower given to each person as they arrived; phalanxes of TV camera crews arrayed on the side; orchestras and choruses dressed all in white; the day was clear and hot and attendees were advised to drink water which was provided.  At eight o’clock the ceremony began with a dedication of the register of names of the victims, a brief address and then foreign dignitaries presenting wreaths at the cenotaph.  At 8:15 a.m. (the time when the bomb struck on August 6, 1945) a bell rang followed by silent prayer.  The Mayor of Hiroshima spoke.  Flocks of doves were released several times and a “Commitment to Peace” was read by the two 6^th grade school children who had written it…their high voices sounding open and hopeful.  A Peace Song was sung and the ceremony closed.  We were invited to lay flowers at the monument where banks of Chrysanthemums had already been arranged. 

AFTERNOON

The workshop and Solidarity Forum with the people of Hiroshima continued an exchange of ideas as did the rally in the Gymnasium where speeches were followed by choral groups of young and old with beautiful banners and singing. 

EVENING

In the evening a lantern floating ceremony near the Aioi Bridge honored the A-Bomb victims.  The Buddhist priests said prayers before the lanterns were sent off but the participation of children made the event festive and the many lanterns bobbing on the river with their peace messages was a lovely sight. 

CODE PINK AND GREEN TEA PARTY EVENTS –  AUGUST 4-12

DURING THE CONFERENCE IN HIROSHIMA

 

OKINAWA – Dinner , August 3

Hisae, Dorothy and I had dinner with Marian Kuepker (International Coordinator for the German Peace Society), Dr. Hiroshi Takei (Emeritus Professor at the University of the Ryukyus and President Emeritus of the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy), Katsuma Yagasaki (Chairman of the Peace Council) and Idani Shuichi (Hiroshima Hibakusha and President of the Tottori-Ken Gensuikyo).  It was an opportunity to talk briefly about the Granny Peace Brigade. and some of our work related to Futenma and US bases, and to

learn about ABCC U.S. government policies toward Japan in the days of Eisenhower and Kennedy.

SHINFUJIN (New Japan Women’s Association) – Dinner, August 4

Dorothy, Hisae-san and I were guests of Shinfujin members some of whom would be going to Nagasaki.  Miyo Inoue, Kazue Takahashi, Kimiko Kasai and Atsuko Yoneyama described their work.  We learned about Shinfujin’s history of working on issues of the rights of women and children, support for Article 9, opposition to militarism and a commitment to the peace movement and abolition of nuclear weapons.  2012 will mark their 50^th year and they publish a weekly newspaper distributed to thousands of groups.  In their ongoing work with petitions, they collected 1.8 million signatures calling for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World and presented them to Ban Ki-Moon at the 2010 NPT.

The Grannies and Shinfujin share many of the same goals and, through Hisae, we will continue to support their work, exchanging information and collaborating where possible.

Dinner, August 5

A small dinner hosted by Takako Kasuya of the Shizuoka Mothers’ Congress welcomed Nun Maki and was a reunion of sorts for Dorothy and me who had last seen Maki in New York City at the NPT.  Now a Buddhist nun she hopes time will allow her to continue her storytelling of Sadako and the Thousand Cranes.  There is now a book in Braille in addition to the original version.  Maki is a perfect embodiment of Peace and her presence always generates a quiet joy.  Just to look at her face instills gentleness.

 

GLOCAL SYMPOSIUM – August 6

A joint event of Code Pink and Minirenn Hiroshima took place after the large Hiroshima Rally. The presenters were Maki, Dr. Yutaka Manabe and Emiko Higami.  Takako Kasuya from Shizuoka who helped Hisae with the event, introduced me to a friend, Yoko Toba, and her mother, Kyoko Hama (a hibakusha). She described her experience from the bomb and gave me a CD of a recording by a French composer.

Maki came to New York for the 2010 NPT and performed her Story of Sadako at the Green Tea Party there.  She presented it at this event with help from Dorothy.  It is a type of slide show with drawings that tell Sadako’s heartbreaking story.  However, through her youth and gentleness, Maki conveys and inspires hope when she recounts it. 

Dr. Manabe is an Osaka physician now assisting Hibakusha in a group lawsuit to qualify their medical conditions as eligible for compensation.  His slideshow presentation described the struggle of Hibakusha to gain their rights.  The “Little Boy” uranium bomb dropped on Hiroshima killed 140,000 people in one day; “Fat Man” plutonium bomb on Nagasaki, 70,000 – for a total of 210,000.  Compensation has been slow to reach survivors.    In order to qualify, a board of review had to agree that the disease was caused by radiation; one had to be within 2 km of epicenter; applications had to be made in Prefectures so that people from Korea or other countries could not apply for compensation.  Out of 250,000 only 2200 were eligible.  Lawsuits have been working their way through 17 Japanese courts.  Survivors were granted $375 a month when the first Hiroshima Aid Law of 1994 was passed.  It has now been raised to $1527 per month. 

Dr. Manabe spoke also about ABCC – the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission – established by the U.S. in 1946 to study the effects of radiation.  The ABCC didn’t actually treat survivors – it studied them over a period of time.  It did not pay compensation and did not share information with Japanese doctors – hence Japan viewed it with suspicion that it was really a laboratory for studying “guinea pigs.”  Decisions on compensation were based on “Causative Probability” which compared data from ABCC, usually unfavorably to the Hibakusha.

As one of a group of physicians working for the Hibakusha’s rights, Dr. Manabe is to be commended and honored.  A handsome, gracious man he is a grandfather and was interested in the work of the Grannies.  The decision on the lawsuit of Hibakusha in Osaka will be handed down in December and we will be kept informed.

Emiko Higami, an Osaka historian, is interested in the factors that cause untimely or premature deaths.   Her research covered the Edo, Taisho and Meiji periods and she presented a paper in English which incorporated statistics on housing, nutrition, working conditions and industrial development which impacted infant and neonatal mortality.  Her further studies will look at other areas such as war and living standards.  She came back to the Funada home with Dorothy, Hisae and me for our last evening in Hiroshima.

SUNDAY, August 7 –

In the morning we went our separate ways – Dorothy to Sapporo; Emiko to Edajima, Hisae and I to Osaka.  Lots of photos were taken early in the morning outside the Funada home with the cicada chorus in the background.  The conference was an intense period – meeting many new people, forming part of a larger network, and feeling a sense of solidarity with the Japanese peace activists who are extraordinary for their dedication and soulfulness.  The Funada homestay was a pleasure – our own “home” for five nights; delicious, generous breakfasts served by a lovely Reiko-san and her husband.

MONDAY, August 8 – Osaka to Kyoto

Reiko Deguchi met Hisae and me at the train station and whisked us off to Kinkaku-ji – the Golden Pavilion – where we were met by Rev. Paul Oe and Narumi Tomida. Rev. Oe’s contact at the shrine permitted us to enter the living quarters of the priests where we were received with tea and then given a private tour of the area surrounding this amazing temple.  We walked with the priest around the small lake in which the Pavilion is reflected and where a series of rock formations replicate the Japanese archipelago. It was an endlessly beautiful vista.   

An afternoon visit to the Craft Museum was highlighted by a kimono “fashion show” and a visit to an exhibit of spectacular kimonos, as well as fabric designs.  The lighting was subdued to protect the fabrics which were so very beautiful.

A gathering that evening was arranged by the Kyoto Shuheikyo, an Interfaith organization, and Code Pink/Osaka.  I addressed the group and, after a light dinner, there was a Q & A session.  Junko Noda came and thrilled us by singing “Amazing Grace”.  Among the attendees were several who spoke English and who knew Allen Nelson, the U.S. veteran who is famous in Okinawa and whose widow I know.  Dr. Minoru Suda, Emeritus Professor at Ritsumeikan University, gave me a book of stories written by Hibakusha.  It is a small, powerful book.  Osaaki Hasegawa, Secretary of the Kyoto Association for a Non-nuclear Government, was at Hiroshima conference and kept his promise to attend, as did a priest from Tokyo who had fasted at Hiroshima and then invited us to his brother’s restaurant.  It was a busy day full of wonderful visits with very special people.

TUESDAY, August 9 –

Homestay with Reiko-san was high in the hills of Kyoto and the next morning we prepared for the visit to

Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, where the bell would be rung at 11:15 a.m. to commemorate Nagasaki.  On the Kyoto Teachers Union women members were gathering signatures for Abolition of Nuclear Weapons and Plants. They’ve been carrying on this campaign every month on the 6^th and 9^th for the past 40 years．　In the path to the temple, I joined them as I could more easily approach people who spoke English.  There were few “Western” people in sight and when the clock pointed to 11:15, a hush came; the enormous bronze bell was rung and the vibrations hung in the air for over a minute.  There was a silent prayer of remembering all the victims.

Through Shuheikyo’s work, Reiko, Nomuri, Hisae and I were invited to tea by Eigen Onishi, a priest from the Shrine, and then a tour of the gardens of Kiyomizu-Dera.   As time was going fast and we had more visits before returning to Osaka, we could not linger at the temple, but both Hisae and I were invited to ring the large bronze bell – or try to.  We managed to touch it but not “ring” it.

The Kyoto Museum for World Peace, part of Ritsumeikan University, is the first such museum in the world.  It’s philosophy is to emphasize the importance of peace, “covering the problems of war and the arms race and accurately portraying the suffering they bring about.”  The Curator –Junko Tanigawa  told us that Johan Galtung will speak there on September 16^th.  He has a close bond with them.

We departed Kyoto for Osaka with a farewell group at the station of Reiko, Junko and Narumi.  It was an event-filled visit and very memorable.

Evening – Dinner and homestay was with Kazu whom I had met in New York several years ago and her husband, Nagao whose English is very good.  He gave me a paper he’d written about a trip to New Zealand and other materials, as he is active with the Osaka Committee for a Non-nuclear Government.

WEDNESDAY, August 10

A Tea House gathering in Osaka’s Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Tomomi Shibata was there to film and continue work on her documentary about the Grannies which she began in New York two years ago.

In a teahouse in one of the tatami rooms Hisae organized a special day of visitors stopping by for a tea ceremony.  I sat on a folding chair as I could never have sat on the floor, or knelt for more than a minute or two.  By now I was friends with Kazu and Akiko, and Machiko and Sonoe who prepared the tea, and many women came by.  Eiko Kobayashi, a plaintiff in the Osaka Air-Raid lawsuit, came and told her story to us, as well as to Tomomi.  The day went quickly and Hisae’s son, Tomo, drew a Manga cartoon portrait of me which I delighted everyone but especially me. Akiko entertained us with a delightful set of “magic” sticks.

In the evening, we met several lawyers for dinner: Masako Katagata and her husband, Hisashi Suzuki, work with an anti-nuclear group.  Another, Shoji Umeda, is a labor attorney, and they showed a video of their visit to New York for the 2010 NPT conference.    The Granny network of contacts continued to grow. 

THURSDAY, August 11

A free day to sightsee at the Osaka Castle, do some shopping, and pack.

FRIDAY, August 12

I met Hisae-san to check out of the hotel and Akiko joined us for lunch, as well as two women, one of whom is a Tamiko Kimura, Hibakusha who won the lawsuite, and the other an activist from Okinawa,

Akiko Yoshizawa who has been organizing a signature campaign to dismantle Futenma US base in Okinawa.  Time was pressured and before I knew it I had to take the 2 pm shuttle bus to Kansai and fly home.

二ディア・リーフさん　（　Ms.　Nydia Leaf from Granny Peace Brigade NYC ）

講演　（　2011年８月８日　京都の集い) 　　邦訳　コードピンク大阪ジャパン　

私たちは、おばあちゃんのグループで、逮捕されるのも厭わずに、アメリカの戦争に反対して頑張っているものですから、非常に困難な活動をしていると言えば言えるでしょう。

　私は今回日本に来て、原水禁大会の国際会議と広島集会に参加しました。おかげで日本のことも、それから自分の国であるアメリカのことも、客観的に、今までよりは深く見ることができるようになったと思います。アメリカがいかに「戦争中毒」にかかり、戦争が無ければ成り立たない国になっているのかということも、よく分かりました。福島の原発事故の後で開催された今年の原水禁大会の国際会議でいろいろな討論に参加しましたが、会議の最後に採択された決議に私は全面的に賛成です。

決議では、原爆と原発というものが別々のものではなく一つの根っこからでているものであり、危険な放射能を、兵器にしたのが原爆、エネルギー源として使ったのが原発であると述べられています。危険で、不確かな放射能を人間はコントロールできないのに、使ってしまったのです。私たちはこれからは、放射能に頼らない、別のエネルギー源というものを、考えないといけないのです。そういうことで、皆さんと合意ができたと思います。

　

私たちは政府に何か良いことをしてもらおうと期待していたのでは、何も解決はしません。草の根の人たちが連帯をして、世界を変え、政治を変える、それこそ本当に確実に世界を変えることができる道だと思います。

　それでは、「Granny Peace Brigade」（おばあちゃんの平和旅団）のことに入ります。皆さんのお手元に、黄色い円いバッヂを置きました。そこに、”Granny Peace Brigade”ということと、下の方にホームページのアドレスが書いてあります。そこをクリックしていただくと、今日私もしゃべりますが、もっともっといろいろな情報を見ていただけるので、どうぞそうなさってください。

「おばあちゃんの平和旅団」には、３つの委員会があり、三つの運動に取り組んでいます。その一つ一つを述べたいと思います。

　

　まず、ノー・ベース(No base)委員会です。「アメリカの米軍基地を撤去せよ」、「世界中にある米軍基地を撤去せよ」という活動をしています。その委員会が「ティーチ・イン（teach in）」学習会をおこないました。

　学習会がどういう経過で実現したかと言いますと、２００７年にベネズエラのカラカスで開催された「世界社会フォーラム」に遡ります。フォーラムの一環としてWIDFがよびかけた世界女性会議が持たれました。そこにアメリカからは「おばあちゃんの平和旅団」の女性、他に二名が参加をしました。日本からの女性グループも参加していました。

通訳補足：「ＷＩDＦ/ Women’s International Democratic Federation 」（国際民主婦人連盟/ 　　国際民婦連）には日本婦人団体連合会（婦団連）が加盟をし、評議員になっています。

原水禁大会国際会議には婦団連がＷＩDＦの代表として参加をしています。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

WIDFにはキューバや世界中の国々の女性グループが加盟しています。世界中から集まってきた女性達にたいして日本の女性達は、「日本に米軍基地があり、沖縄にそれがすごく集中している。その米軍基地は撤去して欲しい！米軍基地はいらない！」と発言しました。その後続々と、ドイツの人も「自分のところにもある」、「イタリアにもある」、韓国の人も、「自分たちの国にも米軍基地はある」と、次々に言い出しました。

聞いていた平和旅団のおばあちゃん達と、アメリカの人たちは、びっくりしました。全然知らなかったのです。アメリカ国内に軍事基地があるのは知っていたし、キューバは外国ですが、キューバにも米軍の施設なり基地があることまでは知っていたけれども、まさか日本の沖縄まで、そんなに広く世界中に米軍基地があるということは知らなくて、非常に恥ずかしい思いをしました。　

　それで、このおばあちゃん達は、「これは大変だ！アメリカでこそ、我々が基地撤去を言わなければならない、アメリカに帰って、自分たちの大きな運動の一つとして、基地撤去をかかげよう」と決意しました。私たちの「ノー・ベース/基地地撤去委員会」の立ち上げはそこから始まったのです。

　もう一つの委員会は、「カウンター・リクルートメント(counter recruitment)」と呼ばれています。、「リクルート」と言うと、皆さんは就職のことを思われるかも知れませんが、アメリカではそうではありません。徴兵が今はありませんから、志願兵なのですが、兵士になろうと子ども達を志願させるように仕掛けること、それがアメリカで言う「リクルートメント」です。高校生などを、「卒業したら、軍隊はいいところだから来なさい」と勧誘をする、学校の中に堂々と入って行ってやるわけです。それから学校側がペンタゴンに対して、学生の個人情報を全部渡してしまうことがよくあります。成績、家庭の状況、貧困層の子なのか知ったうえで、「成績が悪かったら、もう大学には行けないのだから、軍隊に入りなさい」と巧みに入隊をすすめます。だから、私たちの「カウンター・リクルートメント」委員会は、軍にたいして「そういったことをやるな」と抗議し、学校側には、「個人情報は親が言わない限り、出さないで」と言っています。それから、日本で言えばＰＴＡのような、高校生などの親の組織に「子ども達」を戦場に、軍隊に送らないようにしましょう」という働きかけをしています。

　もう一つは、おもちゃで遊んでいるまだ小さな子ども達を守る運動です。今アメリカでは、「戦争おもちゃ」が溢れていて、そのおもちゃを通して、「戦争は良いものだ」とか「かっこいい」とか言う感じを子ども達にすり込んでいます。そういうおもちゃを使わせない、無くす運動。これが二つめの、「カウンター・リクルートメント」の委員会の活動です。

　この「戦争のおもちゃなくそう活動」について一例を言いますと、クリスマスの頃に、親は子ども達におもちゃを買ってやろうというとことで、すごくおもちゃ屋さんが賑わうのですが、そこに戦争のおもちゃがいっぱい溢れています。私たちも最初から店の中に入って、「売るな」とか「買うな」とか言うわけにはいきません。やはり商売ですから。

そこで、私たちがまず何をするかというと、店の前で歌を歌います。　（”No more war toys, no more war toys, girls and boys, girls and boys, rararara ra ra, rararara ra ra, no more toys, no more toys.” もうこれ以上戦争のおもちゃはダメよ、お嬢ちゃん、坊や、ラララ……もうおもちゃはダメよ。）

　だんだん雰囲気が盛り上がってきたら、自然に中へ入って行って、その歌を歌って、買わせないように、お客さんの注意を引きます。店の方は、「困る」、「営業妨害だ」と、警察を呼ぶのですが、、警察が来るちょっと前に店を出てしまうのです。それが「ノー・モア・ウォートイ」の、「カウンター・リクルートメント」委員会の一つの活動です。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

　アメリカの国民全体に向けての活動もおこないます。アメリカの人たちは一般には、世界で何が起こっているのか、アメリカはどのように戦争をしているのかということを、ほとんど知りません。一応政府と軍隊が合法的にしている戦争ですから、法律にそってやっているのです。新たに増派をすると言えば、新しい法律を作らねばなりません。議会でつくられる法律を見張る役割が必要です。「法律委員会」は、戦争に関する法律の中身、どんな危険な法律なのかを知らせる委員会です。

　

アメリカの市民達にどう働きかけるかというと、私たちは人が集まるような公園に出かけていって、そこに居る人たちに呼びかけるのですが、自分たちの携帯電話などを持っていきます。携帯はこの頃みんなが持っているので、恐らくたくさんの人が持っている、そういう状況だと思いますが、そこでみんなに呼びかけることは、「今ワシントンの議会で、こんなひどい法律が通ろうとしている、こういうふうに予算が組まれようとしている、軍隊に、戦争にこれだけのお金を遣うのに、私たちの教育や福祉には全然お金が回ってこないような法律だよ」ということを教えてあげて、それで、「こういう危険な法律が通る前に、あなたは有権者として、あなたの州の上院議員、選挙区の上院議員に電話をしなさい」と。「電話を貸してあげるから、この番号のこの議員にかけて、『そんな予算に反対しなさい』と言ってごらん」と言うのです。最初はみんな、「それはけしからん」とは思っても、「じゃあ、何て言ったらいいの？」と、「わからないよ」と言われるので、「こんな風に言ったらいいよ」と教えてあげます。「電話作戦」を公園の中でやります。みんなを政治的に目覚めさせるというか、そのようなことをしています。

　アメリカ政府は、いろいろなデータの発表はします。数字も出しますが、それは非常に不正確で、間違った、嘘の、正直ではない数値です。例えば、失業率が９％だと政府が言ったとします。そうすると、他の人はちゃんと仕事があるのでしょうか。９％だというわけですが、残りの就職ができているという部分は、どういう人のことを言っているのかと言うと、月に一日だけでも何か仕事があった、アルバイトができたと、そういう人は失業者には入りません。仕事を一日でもしたのだから、それは入らない。そういう風に、月に本当に僅かしか仕事が出来ない人は含まれていない９％ですから、全くこれは不誠実な、間違った、嘘の数だと思います。

　私たちの先ほどの公園での行動ですけれど、公園に来た人たちに、「あなたは自分の払った税金を何に使って欲しいの？　今はほとんど、戦争や軍隊に、戦争にばかり使われているのよ」「でも、あなたは何に使ってほしい？」と聞くと、「戦争ではなく、教育、医療、仕事がもっと欲しい、それから、もっと良い環境を作る。そのために税金はつかって欲しい」と言います。

　今日初めて京都に来まして、朝、早速金閣に連れて行っていただきました。京都や訪れた金閣の様子が、本当に平和な美しい情景でして、本当に私は感動しました。今までもパリやらロンドンやら、イタリアやら、行く機会はありましたけれど、そのどこよりも平和で、美しい街や光景が、金閣やその周辺にありました。本当に感動しています。

　

皆さんは、古い文化を大切にまた継承して、今を生きていらっしゃる。そして、本当に美しいものを残して、またその自分たちの文化として、誇りに思って使っていらっしゃる。それと比べて、アメリカがいかに全てのペースが速くて、ゆっくりと古いものから学ぶということができていないのだなと、すごく世知辛い国だなと思います。

私は長年、保母、日本で言えば保母さんになると思いますが、学校に入るまでの子ども達の施設の　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

教師として、保母としてやってきましたので、子どもの状況にはすごく興味があり、日本に来てからも、子ども達をよく観察しています。子どもと親の関係がどうなのかなということを、広島に居た数日間にも、大阪に戻ってからも、又今日京都で過ごした一日でも、かなりよく観察をしたと思います。電車の中とか、お店の中とか。親子の関係が、日本の皆さんの場合はずっと健康的だと言うように、私は感じました。

　

私は今回が初めての来日ですが、皆さんよくご存じのジョセフ・ガーソンさんは、もう長年にわたって日本に来ておられて、日本の専門家というぐらいの方です。平和運動の専門家でもありますが、私たち「おばあちゃんの平和旅団」は、ガーソンさんを講師にお招きして、ティーチ・イン、学習会というものですが、それは日本を含めて、太平洋地域の問題、平和の問題、それをガーソンさんにお話をしてもらいました。その中で、ガーソンさんは、日本の文化が非常に好きで、だから日本の人も好きで、「だから私は毎年毎年日本に行くんだ」ということを言っておられたので、「ああそうなんだ、私もいつか行きたいな」と思っていました。それが今回初めて実現して、来てみて、「なるほど、ガーソンさんが言っていることは本当だ」と。私も日本の文化がますます好きになりました。　

今回は、コードピンク大阪の尾川寿江さんが招いてくれて、そのおかげで、皆さんともこうして知り合うことができました。本当にこういう風に繋がっていく、草の根の人たちが繋がっていくことが、大事だと思います。これからもご一緒に頑張りたいなと思います。

　それと、今回、国際会議で学んだことの一つとして、世界保健機構（ＷＨＯ）は、本来であれば、福島の原発事故後の放射能の数値とか人体に与えている影響に関する情報を直ちに国際的に開示をすべきだと思うのですが、ＷＨＯはＩＡＥＡ（国際原子力機構）の許可、お墨付きがでるまでは自分たちで自主的に情報を出せないということです。国際会議のおかげで、貴重な情報を得ました。。

　

もう政府は頼りにならない。特に、私の国、アメリカ政府は絶対にダメ。嘘ばっかりついて、正しい情報は絶対に出しません。だから、草の根の私たちが正しい情報を発信し、また共有をしていく。そして、自分たちがもっともっと強くなっていく、そういうことが非常に大切だと思います。そのための道具として、今インターネットというものが普及していますから、みんなもそれぞれがこのインターネットを自分たちのたたかいの武器として、大いに活用して、情報を共有してやっていきましょう。

　

世界中の若者たちは、平和な世界、自分たちがこれから生きていく世界が平和になることを、心から望んでいますし、それはエジプトでもチュニジアでも、ああいう中東革命を起こした原動力は、若者でした。広島での原水禁大会、平和式典にも、たくさんの若者が来られていました。彼等がこれからの未来を切り拓いてくれるのだと、大いに期待をしています。

　

最良の人たち、”best people”は、今日お集まりの皆さんにこそふさわしい呼び名です。皆さんが何をしていらっしゃるか、私たちが何をしているかと言うと、「平和と正義のためにたたかっている」、そこでは絶対にくじけない、そういう強い精神、強い気持ちを持って行動されています。、そうい

う人たちは、私はアメリカ人だし、皆さんは日本の方ですが、みんな共通していて、繋がれます。出口玲子さん、田邊さん、須田先生、皆さん、素晴らしい方達ばかりです。

　

ご静聴ありがとうございました。これから、みんなで一緒にやっていくということが、ますます大切になりますし、ずっと活動を続けて行くには、いろいろ大変なこともあるとは思いますが、それが人生です。皆さん、それぞれ自分たちの人生を精一杯生き抜いて、ご一緒に平和な世界のため

にたたかって行きましょう。ありがとうございました。　　　　　　　　　　

 

Category Infomation 情報 |

2010 Codepink Osaka JAPAN action report

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Codepink Osaka JAPAN action reports 2010

 

January

Join the Gaza Freedom March action: visit Cairo, Jerusalem, West Bank (Bethlehem, Billing, Erez…)

Codepink JAPAN: http://codepink.jp/  

 

February

  GFM report: Mika’s photo exhibition in Osaka　

March

  International Women’s Day: rally and march in Osaka

April

  NPT preparation: rally, workshops, songs and dance for nuclear free world

 

May

  NPT New York action: women’s contingent in the march in Manhattan, Green Tea Party in NYC

  DC Mothers’ Day action,   pinkers green tea party

 

June

  Gaza flotilla: visit Israeli Consulate in Kobe to protest

  Radio interview: Codepink Osaka on air( ABC Radio)

July

  Green Tea Party in Osaka: guest: Mr.Dustin Wright from US

  World Conference against A & H bombs Osaka meeting

August                                       Revisit Germany：Potsdam, Berlin（Hiroshima Platz, Truman House ）　http://www.hiroshima-platz-potsdam.de/

 Japan Mothers Congress in Fukushima

  Codepink workshop debut

  Signature campaign for Okinawan children

　　http://nobase.jugem.jp/

September

  Women’s Article 9 Association rally

October

  Osaka Women’s March: solidarity message from Ms. Ann   Wright

November

  Invite Ms.Jean Enriquez from the Philippines： CATWAP http://www.catw-ap.org/

December

  Street action: No more Pearl Harbors, no more wars of aggression with ‘Akagami’. draft notice 

Category Infomation 情報 |

朝日新聞記事紹介

Category Infomation 情報 |

イタリアのドキュメンタリー「常備軍」完成

イタリアのドキュメンタリストが創った「Standing Army / 常備軍」が完成。７月６日付けの朝日新聞（国際面）に紹介記事が載りました。コードピンク大阪は、２００８年１０月沖縄取材・ロケに同行しました。

Category Infomation 情報 |

Okinawa Women’s Appeal

Mr. President, Please close　down and remove the “world’s most dangerous base” – Futenma base in Okinawa Japan.

May the prayers of mothers in Futeｎma be heard by mothers in America. June 2010

The Group For Peaceful Okinawa in Osaka, Japan  Co-chair, Akiko Yoshizawa　

 Futenma military base, located in the centre of a city with a population of 92,000, has 9 elementary schools, 7 high schools, a university and numerous nurseries and kindergartens in its vicinity. Children who attend these schools are, every day, at risk from aircraft crashes. On August 13^th 2004, a fighter helicopter crashed into Okinawa International University, sending shards flying over 330 meters. One of these lodged itself in the wall of a room, just meters from were a baby lay sleeping, the baby is lucky not to have been killed

The people of Okinawa have demanded the closure of Futenma for 65 years, however the US government has maintained that Futenma Base will not be closed down, nor returned, until a replacement base has been constructed. What’s more, the US government is demanding that this new base be built in Henoko. This means reclaiming land and pouring concrete into a bay, rich in wildlife and coral and home to Dugong – a natural treasure and protected species.

After the Okinawa war, residents were imprisoned while the US army appropriated Futemma base by force. This base should be returned to the Okinawan people, and this excuse amounts to nothing more than taking children as hostages while robbing Okinawa. It was Donald Henry Rumsfeld, the ex United States Secretary of Defense, who admitted that Futenma base is “the most dangerous base in the world”. 3600 people live in the Futenma Base Clear Zones (US safety standards require these clear zones for the safe take of and landing of aircraft, meaning people are unknowingly living in the most dangerous areas surrounding the base). Concerned parent and chairman of the Futenma Second elementary school is demanding the immediate closure and removal of Futemma base.　

 When not only civilian houses but also elementary schools are separated from a military base by a single fence, civilian safety cannot be guaranteed and danger is unavoidable. Who knows when an aircraft may crash into the elementary school, just as the helicopter crashed into Okinawa International University. Nobody can guarantee our safety.

As parents, all we ask is that this base, which has been referred to as the most dangerous in the world, be closed down. We want to free our children from the dangers of base related incidents and accidents. We want them to be able to study in class without the roar of military aircraft resounding through the classrooms. We want to be able to send our children to school in safety.

Yukari Murakami  Futenma Second Elementary School PTA chairperson

During the Vietnam war, the Okinawan people surrounded the base in an attempt to prevent the B52 fighter planes from taking off and going Vietnam where they were responsible for child casualties. Now, once again, the Okinawan people want to stop the American fighter planes they see leaving for Iraq and Afghanistan where they are causing more civilian and child deaths. Okinawa no longer wants to be complicit with the American army and its killing and so locals have held a sit in Henoko for 13 years in a desperate attempt to prevent the construction of yet another military base. In countries under attack from the US army, people know of Okinawa. They say the planes that come to kill them, come from Okinawa the “Devil’s Island”. To be known in this way, while wanting nothing to do with the war and killing, is deeply distressing.

Okinawa has held tens of thousands of protest rallies opposing the US military bases over many years. Okinawa does not have a strong public transport infrastructure. Even so mothers with young children, and elderly people have travelled miles to the rally places, in an attempt to make their voices heard by their government in Tokyo. However the Japanese government has not listened. As mothers in Japan and American - we must raise our voices together. We must fight together to force the American government to stop its unlawful actions, and call for the protection of the children of Futenma along side the children of Iraq and Afghanistan. We cannot allow more people to be killed.

We ask you to show your support and sign our petition which will be submitted to the US government and the United Nations.

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