​(Washington, DC) – The people of Okinawa have been protesting the development of a new U.S. military base in Henoko for decades. Despite the widespread opposition in Japan, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has continued to support the construction of the base. Massive protest have erupted in Japan while a courageous group of Okinawan labor and peace activists set up a peace encampment at Henoko for many months to oppose the U.S. military base expansion.

Consisting of elected officials, community leaders, city council members, business members, professors and students, the All Okinawa Council (AOC) went on a tour across the United States to build community with local groups and amplify their organizing efforts to halt the construction of the military base in Henoko.

“The people of Okinawa are waging a courageous fight against the expansion of a U.S. military base that is opposed by 80% of the people, the governor, and the labor movement of Okinawa,” said Kent Wong, APALA National Founding President who met with labor leaders and labor scholars in Okinawa, Fukuoka, and Tokyo. “This is a critical time for us to show our solidarity with the people of Okinawa and join the thousands who have demonstrated their opposition.”

“The All Okinawan Council met with the APALA Alameda Chapter and National Executive Board in Oakland, CA on November 15 to signify the shared struggle for peace and justice around the world,” added Kim Geron, APALA Alameda Chapter President. “After meeting the delegates from Okinawa, APALA’s National Executive Board adopted a resolution expressing solidarity with the people of Okinawa in opposition of the Henoko base construction.”

“APALA DC Chapter was honored to join local allies in hosting the AOC delegation in Washington, DC on November 19,” said Jessica Cendana, APALA DC Chapter President. “APALA is committed to organizing in solidarity to lobby Congress and spread awareness to stop the construction of the U.S. Military Base in Henoko.”

APALA National President Johanna Puno Hester also expressed, “Opposing military base expansion in Henoko—or anywhere else in the world—is in line with APALA’s efforts to end the mass criminalization of people of color. We are proud to stand in solidarity with the people of Okinawa and call on our brothers and sisters to join us."
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Click HERE to read APALA’s Resolution on Okinawa.
Click HERE to read the “A Broad Coalition of Okinawans Says No to a New US Marine Corps Base” article featured in The Nation.
Click HERE to read the “All Okinawa Council delegation to US meets with citizens’ groups, conveys opposition to base construction” article featured in Ryukyu Shimpo.
Click HERE to read the “保革融合「危機の反映」島ぐるみ会議が米最大労組に訴え“ article featured in the Okinawa Times.

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(Washington, DC) – Last week, during its 13th Biennial Convention, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) elected the first undocumented and youngest person ever to their national executive board. Yves Gomes was elected to APALA’s highest governing body on Sunday, August 16, 2015.

The election came off the heels of one of the largest convenings of undocumented Asian and Asian American and Pacific Islander (undocuAPI) youth. In partnership with ASPIRE Los Angeles (ASPIRE LA), APALA supported more than 40 undocuAPI youth from across the country to build with labor leaders and draw connections between mass deportation, mass incarceration, and other forms of criminalization in our communities. Trina Lei Pasumbal, ASPIRE LA CORE member, said, “A lot of amazing things came out of this year’s APALA convention, we were able to build with labor and our new found undocuAPI community, and it was amazing to see Yves taking on a new leadership role. It’ll make a positive impact on the undocuAPI movement and I’m excited for what’s to come.”

Gomes, a pharmacy technician and proud union member, was supported by the leadership of his union. UFCW 400 President Mark P. Federici added, “Our members understand the devastating impact our broken immigration system has on working families. While Congress has failed to act to address this crisis, leaders like Yves continue to step up to fight for the rights of all hard-working men and women. We couldn’t be more proud of Yves and we know he will make a valuable contribution to the board of APALA.”

“It’s important for APALA to be grounded by those directly impacted by the issues we champion. From rank and file workers to women to youth of color and undocumented youth, we believe these voices should be uplifted at levels of the organization.” stated APALA National President Johanna Puno Hester. “We welcome Yves Gomes to the board and know that he will be a critical voice as we continue to advance worker, immigrant and civil rights.”

Yves Gomes said, “I am honored to be on the National Executive Board of APALA and I am astounded at APALA’s boldness in investing their trust in me as a young worker who is also undocumented. With my position on the board, I want to serve my undocumented and labor communities in fostering meaningful and strategic dialogue between each other so our movement can grow. I am incredibly humbled at the opportunity to serve our brothers and sisters in APALA, fellow young workers, undocumented youth and represent my union, UFCW Local 400.”

​To set up an interview with Yves Gomes, Trina Lei Pasumbal or Johanna Hester, contact William Chiang at [email protected]. Visit www.apalanet.org for more information.

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