DEMILITARIZE THE PACIFIC

HUMANITY & THE PLANET COME FIRST!


Rally, March and Signholding; Saturday, September 3


9am:  Rally at Old Stadium Park; March to Convention Center
10am: Signholding at the Hawai`i Convention Center

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Congress, the world’s largest conservation organization, will meet in Hawai`i from September 1-10, 2016.  10,000 participants and 1,000 journalists are expected to attend.    Its theme is "Planet at the Crossroads" and sustainability, climate change, biodiversity, and indigenous rights will be among its focuses.   Yet nowhere is there mention of the horrors of military expansion in the Pacific.   This is unacceptable!

 The U.S. Military:

• is the single largest institutional consumer of fossil fuels in the world and a major contributor of climate change
  
• is responsible for egregious and widespread pollution of the planet, including uninhibited use of fossil fuels, massive creation of greenhouse gases, and extensive release of radioactive and chemical contaminants into the air, water, and soil
  
• has bombed entire islands into oblivion.  It has poisoned both water and soil, making sea-life, fruit and vegetables dangerous to health.   It has routinely dredged harbors and destroyed life-sustaining reefs.  Its wanton destruction of the land and sea has undermined cultural practices of indigenous people throughout the Pacific.
  
•   has bases throughout the Pacific which have been responsible for the removal of hundreds of thousands of  indigenous people from their native lands, forcing them to live in poverty in countries not their own, and have been responsible for increased prostitution and rape throughout the Pacific.
  
•  Through its actions it has ravaged biodiversity, resources and indigenous populations throughout the world. 

Think about Kwajelein, the Philippines, Hawai`i, Okinawa and Guam.  Think about the bombing of Bikini, Kaho`olawe, Makua, Pohakuloa.   The list goes on and on and on. 

These horrors are not horrors of the past.   They continue, and are escalating today as the U.S. implements its “Pivot to the Pacific.”   The U.S. is building and expanding bases, bombing more islands, and destroying more harbors and reefs.

That the IUCN is not taking a position against these crimes is UNACCEPTABLE.  We demand that the voices and concerns of the people of the Pacific who oppose this expansion of the military be heard and that meaningful action be taken.
                                                                                 
To sign this Call contact us at worldcantwaithawaii@yahoo.com.    

More photos from the July 13 March Against Police Terror

Photos from the March Against Police Terror

July 13 March & Rally Against Police Terror

About 70 people joined a loud and spirited march through Waikiki, stopping at the Waikiki police substation (which was closed for the occasion!),, and then going along Kalakaua as far as Seaside before turning back along the other side of Kalakaua.

With Liz on the bullhorn, our chants bounced off the sides of the towering buildings.  "No Justice, No Peace, No Racist Police."  "Indict -  Convict, - Send the Murdering Cops to Jail.  The Whole Damn System is Guilty as Hell."  When the march began it was still light and hundreds of people at the beach immediately swiveled around to watch at the march headed up Kalakaua.  Shopkeepers and customers stood at the front of stores, their mouths moving as they read the signs.   Marchers faced a sea of phones and ipads as bystanders snapped photos.  As we passed the Apple store everyone seemed to turn in unison as we passed.   A few along the route joined the march.  Some raised their hands to "Hands Up! Don't Shoot," or raised their fists.  Many just gaped in what we guessed was surprise that there were protests in the much-advertised "melting pot of the Pacific."   A few countered with racist epithets, and a couple of white guys tried to change the "Black Lives Matter" chant to "All Lives Matter."   A few yelled: "Black Lives is racist" and the like.   Polarization was clear.  

Before the march, and while some were still looking for parking, there was a short rally at the park. Liz, the World Can't Wait-Hawai`i spokesperson choked up as she began the rally by  recalling the many, many times we've marched in Waikiki to demand justice for the latest victim of police murder: Trayvon Martin, Kollin Elderts, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Sheldon Hallek.... and called on people to continue to have the courage to stand strong against the epidemic of police murder and brutality, to photograph and document, and to persist in demanding justice.  A speaker spoke of the "covert racism" that exists everywhere - in the workplace, at social events, and in the classrooms, reminding everyone that overt racism isn't the only way racism gets expressed.  Another talked about the case of Sheldon Halleck, and the way the police (with the help of the media) has concealed the truth about what really happened.   

As the march returned to the park, and as people were exchanging names and talking amongst themselves, a young man who had seen the march and the sign reading "Justice for Sheldon Halleck," stepped forward saying "Sheldon Halleck was my uncle.  He was my dad's best friend,"  He then took the bullhorn and spoke lovingly about his uncle.  

At this point we aren't aware of any media coverage of the march.  If you see any, let us know by writing worldcantwaithawaii@yahoo.com.  We know there were news cameras along the march route.   There was also a large (but not highly visible) police presence.  A few police in "aloha" shirts were in the park when we arrived.  SWAT and a bicycle patrol were stationed in back of the Zoo. There were police in aloha shirts along the route who were snapping photos of the protesters.   

People often ask us why we march in Waikiki, and "wouldn't it be better to stand in front of HPD headquarters or the State Capitol.   While we sometimes do that, and will continue, Waikiki is unique. People from around the world see first-hand that people in Hawai`i are joining tens of thousands to demand justice.  Their photos spread everywhere.  They are re-posted on facebook and Instagram and, in spite of a media black-out of most protests, word of our action spreads everywhere.  

ACTION ALERT! STOP POLICE TERROR

STOP POLICE TERROR!

RALLY & MARCH IN WAIKIKI

6pm, Wednesday, July 13

Corner of Kalakaua/Kapahulu

(in front of Honolulu Zoo)

On Tuesday of this past week Baton Rouge police murdered Alton Sterling in cold blood - and for nothing.  Within hours police in Falcon Heights, Minnesota murdered Philando Castille and arrested his fiancee as she live-streamed what was happening on facebook.  It was painful and people were righteously outraged and rose up in protest.   That protest is continuing.   Hundreds have been arrested and protest is spreading.  

On Wednesday evening there will be a short rally in front of Honolulu Zoo beginning shortly after 6pm.  Then at 6:30 there will be a protest march through Waikiki.  The march will stop at the HPD Substation in Waikiki, and then at places where people congregate.  

World Can't Wait-Hawai`i will bring some signs.  Bring your own if you're able.