山城博治さんをはじめとする新基地建設に反対する仲間の早期釈放を求め、マネキンフラッシュモブを実施した富樫守さん（左から２人目）ら＝１２日、北谷町美浜
山城さんは、名護市辺野古の新基地建設や米軍北部訓練場のヘリコプター着陸帯建設への抗議行動で、威力業務妨害容疑などで逮捕・起訴され、約４カ月近く勾留され続けている。
計画立案者の富樫守さん（７４）は、辺野古での座り込みを通じて山城さんと出会った。「県外の人や若者たちにも、こうした不当な勾留があると知ってもらいたい」と、同じく座り込みに参加する知人に声を掛け、有志が集まった。「マネキン―」という新しい形の抗議活動に、より効果的で、注目が集まる方法はないかと考え、場所や日時にもこだわり「家族連れや観光客、若者が多い日曜日を選んだ」と説明した。
黒服を着た集団の突然の登場に、車窓から撮影をする人や観光客など道行く人の注目を集めていた。
「フラッシュモブ」に参加した垣内成子さん（６５）は、高江や辺野古の座り込みに１０年余参加している。抗議活動に若年層が少ないことから「次世代を担う若者たちが、声を上げ、立ち上がってほしい」とプラカードを高々と掲げた。山城さんが釈放される日を待ちわびている人は多いとみられ、県内各地で活動は続く。
Calling
for an immediate release of protestors against the U.S. military bases
in Okinawa, including Hiroji Yamashiro, Mamoru Togashi (second from
left) and his fellow protesters staged a mannequin flash mob in the
Mihama district of Chatan on February 12.
Mannequin flash mob to call for release of Okinawa peace activist Yamashiro
February 13 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
The detention of the chairman of the Okinawa Peace Movement Center Hiroji Yamashiro, who took on a central role in the movements opposing Henoko base construction and Takae helipad construction, has continued for about four months. Eight people mainly from Yomitan Village staged a mannequin flash mob to call for Yamashiro’s release at Mihama Square in front of an observation wheel in Chatan on February 12. Wearing black suits, the participants pretended to be mannequins. They held handmade picket signs calling for “an immediate end to Yamashiro’s unjust and long detention.” They made this silent, motionless appeal for about an hour.
Yamashiro was arrested, indicted, and has been detained for an extended period of time charged with interfering with a public official in the line of duty.
Seventy-four-year-old Mamoru Togashi who planned the flash mob, met Yamashiro when he took part in a sit-in protest in Henoko. Saying, “I would like people outside of Okinawa and young ones to know how unjust the detention of Yamashiro is.” Togashi called for those joining the sit-in protest to take part in the flash mob.
Togashi explained he chose a place and date that would draw families, tourists, and young people to the mannequin flash mob.
The unexpected appearance of the group of people in black suits drew the attention of tourists and passersby.
Sixty-five- year-old Nariko Kakiuchi who took part in the flash mob, has been engaged in the sit-in protest in Takae and Henoko for over 10 years. Referring to the issue of there being only few participants from the younger generation, Kakiuchi said, “I would like the next generation to stand up and voice their protest.” Many people appear to be waiting for the release of Yamashiro. More people continue to call for his release in various parts of Okinawa.
(English translation by T&CT)
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