The Pyeongtaek Struggle Grows Into an International Solidarity Movement
The Pyeongtaek anti-base movement has now become a larger international solidarity movement. International delegate-activists gathered in Pyeongtaek on December 11, 2005 to participate in the Grand Peace March. Fourteen international delegates, including Jose Bove of the Federation of French Farmers, Irma Maria Ostroski of MST (Viecampes movement in Brazil), and Okinawa-Henoko activists visited Pyeongtaek. After taking a tour of the U.S. base, international activists attended a meeting of the Pyeongtaek Resident’s Action Committee, informal meetings, and the candlelight vigil with Pyeongtaek villagers. To commemorate their visit, Pyeongtaek resident’s presented these delegates with a certificate making them honorary residents of Pyeongtaek.
On December 10, the international delegates participated in the International Action Forum for Peace in Pyeongtaek. Taking ownership of each country’s struggles, the international activists resolved to openly support the Pyeongtaek movement in international solidarity. The delegates also decided to make January 14, 2006 a Day of Joint International Action. On this day, activists from South Korea, Japan, Brazil, France, and other countries plan to protest against the expansion of U.S. bases in Pyeongtaek in front of the Korean and U.S. Embassies in their respective countries. Also at the forum, delegates decided to form a “Pyeongtaek Watch” at the international level; thus activists on a global scale will jointly fight against the forced land take over in Pyeongtaek. French farmer Jose Bove also promised to spread widely the Pyeongtaek issue to others at the WTO meeting. International delegate-activists also participated in the December 12 Grand Peace March, signifying that the Pyeongtaek issue is not only an issue for Pyeongtaek residents, but has now become an international issue.
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