No national borders for the right to live! ～ March against racism in Shinjuku, Tokyo

On Oct. 5, some 100 citizens marched in the Shinjuku and Shin-Okubo area in Tokyo as part of the 10.5 Action against Discrimination and Xenophobia.  The civic group that organized the action started anti-racism activities in 2009 when a Filipino family, then living in Warabi City, Satitama Prefecture and requesting the government to grant them a special permission to remain in Japan, was persistently harassed by Zaitoku-kai and other ultra-nationalist groups. They organized counter-actions to those right-wingers and, since then, have organized various activities against racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. The march was the fourth of their annual street demonstrations they have in autumn. ”Stop discrimination against foreign nationals!” “We are opposed to racial discrimination and xenophobia of any kind!” “We won't tolerate hate speeches or racism!” “The right to live is universal! Let's get united beyond national boundaries!” “Let's raise our voice against racism!” - The chants echoed in the heavy rain along the 3-km route the marchers walked. (By NISHINAKA Seiichiro)      

生きる権利に国境はない！～新宿で外国人差別に反対するデモ

 
10月5日、東京の新宿・新大久保界隈で「許すな！ 差別 排外主義 10．5 ACTION」が行われ、約100人の市民がデモ行進に参加した。同連絡会は、2009年当 時、埼玉県蕨市に在住し在留特別許可を求めていたフィリピン人家族への「在特会」等の嫌がらせ行為に対するカウンター行動の教訓から活動 を立ち上げ、差別•排外主義に反対する様々な取り組みを行ってきた。毎年秋に街 頭デモ行進を行い、今回が4回目。台風が迫る大雨の中、「外国人差別反対！」「あらゆる人種差別、排外主義反対！」「ヘイトスピーチも、 レイシズムも許さないぞ！」「生きる権利に国境はないぞ！ 国境を越えて連帯しよ う！」「みんなで声を上げよう」と道行く人たちに呼びかけ、約3キロの道程をデモ行進した。（西中誠一郎）

No Discrimination! Be Friends!- Citizens Raise Voice against Anti-Korea Demonstration

"Kick Koreans out of Takeshima Islands!" "Burn down the whole of Seoul City!" The marchers were chanting as they proceeded. Many were holding large Hinomaru Flags in their hands. Policemen in riot gear were standing along the road. A street demonstration by Zaitokukai, a right-wing group that claim to be protesting against privileges enjoyed by permanent residents of Korean decent, and various other groups and their sympathizers was held again in the evening of Feb. 17 in Shin-okubo, a major Korean Town in Tokyo. These right-wingers have had a series of ween-end Anti-Korea demonstrations in this town. There was however a new development last Sunday: A number of citizens staged protest against the right-wingers' demonstration holding signs that call for peace and friendship.

"It is O.K. to express political opinions, but it is not political activities to humiliate, disturb, or intimidate those who live in this town. It must be difficult for ethnic Koreans to speak up against racism. I think it's the responsibility of Japanese to raise voice not to tolerate it in our society, " said a female participant of the action. Another was holding a sign that read "I don't support this demonstration." Xenophobia is growing in Japan, but citizen's voice against discrimination and hate-speech is getting evident as well. (By M）
 Photos
 YouTube Video (4 1/2 min.)

差別やめよう！仲良くしようぜ！～反韓デモに対する意思表示

　「竹島から韓国をたたき出せ！」「ソウルを焼け野原にしろ！」ぶっそうなシュプレヒコールを上げ、日の丸を林立させて、在特会系のデモ隊がやってきた。2月17日夕方、東京・新大久保のコリアタウンは乱闘服の機動隊も出動し、騒然とした雰囲気。しかし、この日「反韓デモに対する意思表示」をする多数の市民が登場した。デモ隊に向けて「仲良くしようぜ」などのプラカードを掲げた。

この行動に参加した女性は、「政治の問題で意見はけっこう。でもここで暮らしている人を貶めたり、邪魔したり、恫喝することは政治活動ではない。在日の人は声を上げられないと思うから、日本人がこういう社会を許してはいけないと声を上げなくてはいけないと思った」と語る。「私はこのデモを支持しません」と書いたプラカードを掲げる人もいた。排外主義の風潮が強まる中で、「差別・ヘイトスピーチはやめよう」と市民がしっかり声を上げ始めた。(М） 写真速報・動画（YouTube 4分半）