Our Solidarity Continues: AO Survivor Heather Bowser Speaks in Okinawa

  Okinawa welcomes Heather Bowser, a second generation Agent Orange survivor and a co-founder of Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Alliance (COVVHA). Heather is making her second visit to Okinawa and she will be featured in a seminar held at Naha, Okinawa on November 11.

The picture of this flyer is Heather’s work

In August 2012, Heather visited Okinawa for the first time and gave an inspirational talk about her life, experience and fight as an Agent Orange survivor. She encouraged us to raise our voice and to keep fighting for justice.  She promised her continuing solidarity with us.

 Since then, we have been working together to let people know the issues of Agent Orange and to seek solutions for the issues.  In the US, COVVHA members have been engaging in a series of talks to raise awareness of Agent Orange survivors’ struggles and have been conducting their own investigations for health effects of Agent Orange. Here in Okinawa, we have been tenaciously putting pressure on both the Japanese and Okinawa prefecture governments to address seriously and honestly the issues of Agent Orange on Okinawa.

 In this summer, Okinawa came to face the reality of land contamination, a toxic legacy of dioxin. On June 13, about two dozen rusted drums marked with “Dow Chemical” were unearthed in a soccer field in Okinawa City, which used be a part of the US military’s Kadena Air Base. Consequently,  high levels of 2,3,7,8 -TCDD were detected in the residues of these drums,.  Given the history of questionable investigations on land contamination conducted by the prefectural and Japanese governments, we have been working hard in keeping an eye on and evaluating the investigations conducted by Japanese Government, Okinawa Prefecture and Okinawa City. Our efforts have received tremendous support from veterans, experts and COVVHA. 

  It is our great pleasure to have Heather back in Okinawa and join the seminar at this very moment of our struggle to seek the truth and overcome the problems. 

 

 Also joining the seminar are Jon Mitchell, Natsuko Shimabukuro and myself Masami Mel Kawamura. Jon, an informed and engaging journalist, will talk about his research on Veterans exposed to Agent Orange on Okinawa. Natsuko, a QAB TV director, who created a documentary Defoliated Island, will show her video footage and explain what took place behind the documentary.  My talk will focus on the issues surrounding the investigations at the soccer field in Okinawa City as well as on the land-return program now being developed by the Japanese Government. Please see the announcement below.

I wish the Veterans who always support us from the US could join us at the seminar, but I believe they will be there in spirit.

 Dr. Masami Kawamura

 Director, Environmental Policy and Justice of Citizens’ Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa

Here is the announcement of the event.

Tainted bases: Agent Orange and military pollution on Okinawa - with Heather Bowser

Date and Time: November 11, 2013.

                          7:00 PM-9:00 PM

Place: Conference Room, Okinawa Prefectural Assembly

For almost 70 years, Okinawa’s land, air and sea have been contaminated with a range of toxic substances including dioxin, depleted uranium, asbestos and nerve gas. These poisons have sickened both U.S. service members and Okinawan civilians - but the Pentagon has repeatedly attempted to evade responsibility for this pollution.

In the coming years, there are plans to return several U.S. bases to civilian control (e.g. Machinato Service Area and Camp Foster/Zukeran). These installations have borne the brunt of military pollution and they pose a very real risk to future generations.

How can this problem be overcome?

Speaking at this symposium will be Heather Bowser - co-founder of Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Alliance - who will discuss the lasting legacy of dioxin poisoning - and the ways in which communities can unite to achieve justice.

Jon Mitchell - freelance journalist - will talk about his research into military pollution on Okinawa, including the widespread use of Agent Orange and the sea-dumping of chemical weapons.

Masami Kawamura - Director, Environmental Policy and Justice of Citizens’ Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa - will explain about the current situation in Okinawa City where 20+ dioxin-tainted barrels were recently discovered. She will also talk about how future problems related to returned land ought to be addressed.

The event will be moderated by Natsuko Shimabukuro - the QAB TV director whose documentary Defoliated Island was winner of a commendation for excellence by Japan’s Association of Commercial Broadcasters.

Organized by 「ヘザー・バウザーさんと語る会」実行委員会　(Executive Committee for Heather Bowser’s symposium)

NB. Seating in the conference room is limited. Apologies in advance if there is standing room only.