On December 10th, in collaboration with the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) International Committee, we held an online panel.
ZENKO has held numerous online events with DSA International Committee members since initiating the ZHAP (ZENKO Henoko Anti-base Project) campaign in 2020.
This particular panel was convened to report on Gerald Darbon’s visit to Okinawa from DSA as well as his participation in the 2023 ZENKO in Yokosuka.
Originally scheduled for October 15th, the panel was postponed for about two months due to the situation in Gaza, which necessitated our daily solidarity actions for Palestine.
The theme of the panel shifted from “Okinawa, ZENKO Conference, US Military Bases – DSA Visit Japan Report” to “From Okinawa to Palestine: The Fight against Military Occupation and Colonialism.”
It became a platform to oppose militarization in Okinawa (Ryukyu Arc), Japan as a whole, in solidarity with Palestine.
During the panel, a short film by Seth, a member of DSA who visited Okinawa along with Gerald, was screened. The film, capturing the realities of the heavy base burdens and exchanges with local activists, portrayed valuable footage gathered during fieldwork in Okinawa.
Gerald Darbon then provided a detailed report on his two-day visit to Okinawa, participation in the 2023 ZENKO in Yokosuka, discussions on anti-base efforts in Okinawa, the situation in East Asia regarding militarization, and the importance of international solidarity.
Hinada from the ZHAP Secretariat presented a PowerPoint on participating in the 11/23 Okinawa Citizens’ Peace Rally and Palestine solidarity struggles across Japan.
Following that, Takazato Suzuyo spoke on “Military Sexual Violence and Anti-Base Struggles in Okinawa,” detailing how for Okinawan women the end of World War II in 1945 marked the beginning of a new war due to the presence of military bases.
Finally, Aragaki Kunio delivered a speech titled “Today’s Gaza is Tomorrow’s Okinawa,” urging an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza-Israel conflict and highlighting the parallels between the militarization in Okinawa, surrounded by the sea and barricaded by walls, and the situation in Gaza.
The panel concluded with a Q&A session from viewers, reaffirming the commitment to further strengthen international solidarity activities.
The proceedings of this online panel can be viewed on the DSA International Committee’s ZHAP Campaign page on the DSA website. ZENKO Henoko Anti-Base Project (ZHAP) – DSA International Committee (dsausa.org)
Program for the day:
Theme: “From Okinawa to Palestine: Struggles against Military Occupation and Colonialism”
Date and Time: December 10, 2023 (Sunday) from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Japan Time)
Schedule:
10:00-10:05 Opening Remarks by DSA
10:05-10:10 Okinawa Video (Seth Dalton)
10:10-10:25 Report on Okinawa Visit & Participation in 2023 ZENKO in Yokosuka (Gerald Darbon)
10:25-10:30 Participation in 11/23 Okinawa Citizens’ Peace Rally & Reports on Palestine Struggles in Various Regions (Hinada Seishi)
10:30-10:45 Military Sexual Violence and Anti-Base Struggles in Okinawa (Takazato Suzuyo)
10:45-11:00 Urging Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza-Israel Conflict “Today’s Gaza is Tomorrow’s Okinawa” (Aragaki Kunio)
11:00-11:30 Q&A, Lines of Action Points, Closing Remarks
Panel recording:
Okinawa video:
ZHAP（ZENKO Henoko Anti-base Project）
