Monday, August 31, 2020: US Military and COVID in Okinawa and Guahan: What Do Colonization and Militarism Have to Do with It?

US Sailors infected with Covid docked at Guam

News about the US military spreading COVID in Okinawa and Guahan has been reported on NPR, the UK Guardian, and other news sites. On today's show you have the chance to listen to long-time Okinawan feminist activist Suzuyo Takazato. She served as Naha City Council member, is a founder of Okinawa Women Act against Military Violence, and has devoted her, life working for demilitarized, genuine security for women and girls and for people of Okinawa and beyond. Also, in conversation is Lisa Natividad, professor of Social Work at the University of Guam and long-time activist working for decolonization of Guahan, the island’s original name.  Finally, Ayano Ginoza, professor at University of the Ryukyus will add to the conversation by analyzing the current conditions from Island Studies perspective.

We have a chance, in this moment of calling for the defunding and dismantling of the police to make the connection between here and there. Think about the police as a local segment of the national military apparatus, the military actors we face directly. What would it take to dismantle the institutions altogether? Imagine all what the nearly $2.5 billions per day the US spends on national military could pay for!!!! This amount does not include billions spent by all the cities in the US. And the bigger question is: What values must we embrace to be able to imagine genuine, life-affirming security?

Click here to listen to the show. 59:50 min

For more information see following reports:

https://www.npr.org/2020/08/16/902977035/japanese-residents-concerned-about-covid-19-at-okinawa-u-s-military-base

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/12/okinawa-demands-answers-from-us-after-61-marines-contract-coronovirus 

https://www.stripes.com/news/us/army-surges-past-7-000-coronavirus-cases-as-military-tops-21-000-positive-tests-1.638215 

Monday, September 4, 2017: Asian Women Telling Truths - Suzuyo Takazato

Okinawan feminist activist Suzuyo Takazato,  Co-Chair Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence, discusses the deadly ecological and social consequences of the massive US military presence on Okinawa. Okinawan Women Act formed exactly 22 years ago, in response to the rape of a 12-year-old girl by three US soldiers.

Listen now or Get MP3. 30:53 min

This group has held demonstrations and protests, organized letter writing campaigns, and brought their creativity and passion to protests and campaigns against the US military presence in Okinawa, which dates back to 1945 and the end of World War II.

KEY FACTS ABOUT OKINAWA

• A group of islands midway between Tokyo and Manila. It is the southern-most prefecture in Japan, with a population of 1.3 million people
• Endured three-months of fierce fighting between Japan and the US in 1945. Approximately 200,000 Okinawan people were killed by US and Japanese troops in this Battle of Okinawa
• Administered and occupied by the US from 1945 to 1972. The US military requisitioned land for bases
• Comprises 0.6% of the land area of Japan but houses 75% of the US military facilities in Japan. There are 37 US bases and installations in Okinawa, 23,842 troops and 21,512 family members
• Twice the size of Guam but smaller than Oahu (Hawai’i)

Click here to listen to entire show. 59:50 min

Also on today's show:

Canyon Sam