People stop hate demonstration, stage sit-in protest in Kawasaki

 It was the people power that stopped an anti-Korean group’s hate demonstration called, “demonstration to purify Kawasaki,” on June 5. Some 200 people gathered in Nakahara Peace Park in response to a call for counter action by Kawasaki citizens’ network to eradicate hate speech. Meanwhile, around 20 people of the hate group were only able to march forward for 10 meters before they were met with a sit-in protest by the people. Citizens surrounded the group and protested fiercely chanting and holding up banners and signs. The deadlock continued for a while, and finally the hate demonstration was called off. Chased away by angry citizens, the hate group members withdrew that day. It was a sound victory for the citizens who bet their lives on the line and staged a non-violent protest. (By SATO Kazuyuki) ＊photo=citizens stage a sit-in protest on the street.