Rev. Taira Natsume has been released on 27 Sept.
Thanks for your supprt!!
Release Rev. TAIRA Natsume Now!
September 25, 2006
Rev. TAIRA Natsume, the leading non-violent peace activist in Henoko Okinawa, Japan was arrested by Japanese Police at the gate of U.S. Marine Corps Camp Schwab in Henoko for obstructing police duty.
In Henoko, the proposed construction site for the new US military facility, people have mounted non-violent protest action against the plan of the building the new military facility since 1997, including "the ocean sit-in" that took place from 2004 to 2005. The United States and Japanese governments had to gave up the original plan because of their persistent protest.
However, with some modification of the plan, in May 2006, the two governments agreed on the U.S. military realignment plan and decided to push forward the construction, ignoring the strong protest of the people. One of their initial attempts of implementation of the plan is conducting archeological research in Camp Schwab that was to be done by the Nago City Educational Council upon the request by the Japan Defense Agency. The first attempt was made on September 14th that was literally blocked by people from Henoko. In spite of the riot squad deployed there, the City Educational Council members on a car could not enter Camp Schwab. This morning, there was another attempt by the Council, again with the support of riot squad. Among the protesters gathered at the gate of the USMC Camp Schwab was Rev. Taira. He tried to stop the Educational Council members' car to enter Camp Schwab, throwing his body in front of the car. Then, the Japanese police arrested him. He remains in custody at Nago City Police Department as of the evening of September 25, and he is expressing his protest by hunger-strike.
We call for your solidarity action to protest the arrest and to demand the release of Rev. Taira.
Please send your solidarity message to Rev. Taira at Project Disagree
< projectdisagree@okinawaforum.org >
Please send your protest messages to the following:
Nago City Police Department Ph/FAX: +81 980 52 0110
Nago City Educational Council Ph: +81 980 53 3012 FAX: +81 980 53 5440
Japan Defense Agency (Naha bureau in Okinawa) Ph: +81 98 868 0174 FAX: +81 98 866 3375
Nago City Hall (U.S. Bases section) Ph: +81 980 53 1212 FAX: +81 980 53 6210
