HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------
http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=1&id=251342 Japan Today March 3, 2003 6,000 rally in Hiroshima against war on Iraq HIROSHIMA � Some 6,000 people from throughout Japan rallied in Hiroshima on Sunday to protest U.S. plans to wage war on Iraq, while smaller demonstrations took place in other cities in the archipelago. The protesters formed letters in a Hiroshima park spelling "No War" and "No DU!" for depleted uranium, which the United States used in shells during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Some doctors believe the use of depleted uranium and higher levels of radiation were behind a sharp rise in various forms of cancer and malformations of Iraqi babies, especially among people in southern Iraq, where the shells were used most. Organizers said an aerial photo of the words will be included in an antiwar advertisement to be published in the Washington Post. The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II, annihilating the cities and killing hundreds of thousands of people. The Japanese government has shown a clear stance of supporting its key ally the U.S. despite polls showing a majority of Japanese oppose war on Iraq. Shokichi Kina, an Okinawa singer who recently held a peace concert in Baghdad, was among musicians who performed at the Hiroshima rally. Participants, including many who came as families, held banners and placards with antiwar slogans. "The U.S. attitude is ridiculous," said an 82-year-old survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. "I would like to do what we can in Hiroshima." A 29-year-old housewife from Tokyo said, "I'm glad I came. I believe that the human letters will be effective." Meanwhile, smaller rallies were held in the cities of Osaka and Oita, each attracting about 50 participants. In Osaka, a theater troupe of handicapped people organized the demonstration around JR Higashi-Yodogawa Station. Local musicians and artists were among the participants who paraded to rhythms beat out on traditional Korean drums. They held a banner reading, "We performers take the path of abandoning war and complete non-violence!" "Not knowing when the attack on Iraq will occur, we would like to speak out not as handicapped people but as ordinary artists," said 49-year-old Kim Man Ri, representative of the Taihen troupe. In Oita, people listed to a performance of the John Lennon antiwar anthem "Imagine" and called for a peaceful resolution to the Iraq crisis. Among them were students from Germany and France who joined in shouting slogans such as, "Politicians think they can resolve things by just pushing one button!" and "With our hands, war can be avoided!" "War is not necessary," said Juliette Bellenger, a 24-year-old student from France. "Peace and love instead are needed." In Nagoya, some 70 Christians and others held a gathering with signs protesting the threatened U.S war on Iraq over weapons allegations and sang hymns. Hiroshi Matsumoto, 55, a clergyman of the Anglican Episcopal Church in Japan, joined supporters in a sit-in protest and began a hunger strike. "What war creates is refugees who suffer from hunger and cold," Matsumoto said. "Any sort of bloodshed is unacceptable." (Kyodo News) __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/ --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bdn7KI.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html ==^================================================================
