Dec 14 (Mon): 2 years of dumping earth and sand; 60 protesters at the Intensive Action on the sea of Henoko / 130 protesters at 5 locations in the cold rain

Two years have passed since the start of the landfill in Henoko. Six protest boats, 27 canoes, and one rubber boat organized “12.14 Intensive Action on the Henoko Sea”. Approximately 60 people, including many news reporters, went out on the sea in cold rain and wind.

The day before yesterday, a large vessel, deck barge, was stationed in the Oura Bay. It will serve as a storage of landfill soil to continue landfill work in bad weather when a cargo ship from Shiokawa cannot make a delivery.

The protest-on-sea group gathered in front of K8 seawall, and 15 rubber boats of the Japan Coast Guard came to block them. The protesters raised their voices in chorus and placards: The sea is the mother of all life; no illegal work here. When the canoe team went over the oil-fences, the Japan Coast Guard chased the canoes and captured them.

Near K9 seawall stood the huge deck barge in the grey sea.

Mr. Yasushi Takagi came to join the rally in his yat: I feel so depressed. I hope they stop landfill immediately.

The protesters rallied at five locations today. The movement to oppose the new base construction has continued for 16 years with a slogan to unite us: we shall win, we shall not give up. The only steady and persistent protest will persuade Japan and the world to understand how unreasonable the new base construction in Henoko is. The time for change must come, we believe as we stand here today to rally.

(In front of Camp Schwab Gate)

In the rain, about 50 protesters resumed the sit-in rally. Several protesters from mainland Japan ignored the riot police’s persuasion and were removed forcibly to the sidewalk. I understand how they felt, but we need to voluntarily move ourselves to the sidewalk to avoid direct contact with the riot police to prevent the covid-19 contagion. One or two persons trying to prolong the protest time would not make a dent in the overall construction schedule.

A total of 211 trucks made deliveries to the base in three rounds.

(Ryukyu Cement Awa Pier)

The cold rain lasted all day. Three protesters at the pier’s entrance, and six at the exit. Like yesterday, the belt conveyer malfunctioned, which caused two hours delay in loading the cargo ships. Deliveries from the quarry were scarce in the morning.

The work continued till 7:45 p.m., and 720 truckloads were loaded to two cargo ships.

(Motobu Shiokawa Pier)

Approximately 20 protesters crossed the road very slowly. Commander H of the riot police appeared at Shiokawa after a long time absence to give detailed instructions to the protesting citizens. Newspapers had criticized him for his rude conduct of shouting some protesters’ family names without an honorific. I do not think he has learned anything. Many protesting citizens criticized him during the rally.

A total of 515 truckloads of earth and sand were loaded onto six cargo ships.