so, after the press conference that took place July 27, we started sit-in struggle at a Catholic church in Seoul.
many people joined the sit-in struggle together along with Lee gil-jun.
we held cadlelight vigils and mass gathering every night.
our main message was that 'riot police conscription system' must be lifeted, we tried hard to get public support for our cause.
the resistance was fun and all.
and finally the 5-day sit-in struggle ended today.
arrest warrant for lee gil-jun was issued, and he had no reason to avoid the arrest.
his clear conscience made him fear nothing.
he turned himself in to the police today, because he knows that the struggle will not end.
he will face some jail time, but the rest of us will try harder to set him free and abolish the conscription system.
March First Solidari (2008/04/21 16:34)
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Hi, we are an Asian American group in Seattle that is strongly influenced and inspired by the Korean labor movement, particularly around resistance against US imperialism and neo-liberalism. In fact we are named after the anti-colonial March First Movement in Korea. I would have liked to email this information to someone in your organization/blog, but I couldnt find the information. We are organizing a rally in Seattle this Thurs 4/24, calling for US troops out of South Korea. We are demanding that our university, the University of Washington, pull out any investments from US military contractors supporting the USFK.
I am attaching our press release in this post. I hope to be in touch with you all and that perhaps in the future we can build deeper connections in our solidarity organizing. We could also write a post on your blog about the turnout and progress of our campaign if that is possible
Sincerely,
March First Solidarity
Press Advisory: For immediate release 17 April 2008
University of Washington students call for divestment from U.S. Military contractors and the withdrawal of US troops from Korea
Who: University of Washington students and concerned community members
What: Rally to pressure UW to divest from military contractors that support the presence of US troops in Korea
Where: University of Washington, HUB Lawn
When: 12:00pm Thursday, April 24, 2008
Contact: Shemon Salam Tel: +1 734 673 4657 Email: m1solidarity@gmail.com
At 12:00pm on Thursday, April 24, 2008, University of Washington students and concerned community members will rally to demand that UW withdraw any investments it may have in U.S. military contractors that produce items used by the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).
This rally is part of an ongoing campaign organized by March 1st Solidarity, a new anti-racist group on campus that opposes US imperialism in Asia. On April 7, 2008, March 1st Solidarity formally submitted a proposal demanding divestment. Members of the group believe the university should be a democratic institution where students, staff, faculty, community members, and fellow citizens have the right to make decisions regarding investments, foreign policy, and public ethics. We do not want our tuition and taxes supporting the production of weapons used to maintain US imperialism.
The presence of U.S. troops on the Korean peninsula limits the self-government of the Korean people. Since 1945, the US Forces Korea helped suppress South Korean movements for national reunification and genuine democracy. This resulted in the subjugation of the Korean people to U.S.-backed military dictatorships that lasted until 1987. UW students are rallying because we fear that the USFK could be used today to suppress the struggles of Korean workers and farmers against increased exploitation under the Kor-US Free Trade Agreement.
Today, the USFK is consolidating and relocating its bases in South Korea in order to solidify its military domination across Asia. The USFK is not there to protect the South Korean people; it is there to support the war on terror and the growing US rivalry with China. The Pentagon is redesigning US military bases in Korea to support deployment anywhere in Asia or the Middle East. The bases are used for training and logistical support for the Iraq war and USFK units have been deployed to Iraq.
To facilitate their consolidation of the U.S. military apparatus, the USFK and the South Korean government have collaborated to seize land from farmers in the Pyeongtaek region. Many villagers have refused reparations offers, resisted eviction orders, and engaged in civil disobedience against police and military efforts to remove them. They have gained widespread support from student anti-war activists from across Korea and around the world. In addition, many Korean citizens have protested against crimes committed by US soldiers and the oppressive international sex trade fueled by the presence of US bases.
On April 24, 2008, UW students and community members will be acting in solidarity with these Korean anti-war and anti-imperialist movements. We demand that UW divest from military contractors that support the USFK. UW has a large population of Asian American and Asian international students. US militarism in Asia is a threat to the peace and solidarity of our communities on both sides of the Pacific. In pursuing divestment we refuse to be subservient to US Empire and we stand for democracy and anti-racism in our communities
i'm a member of 'Seoulidarity'. We made this video and another one 'militarism and resistance in s.korea' together.
we wanted to make something for the world social forum(26.jan). we are recently focusing on migrant workers and writing on other issues in s. korea.
actually, we've visited your blog linked your blog on our
article! hope we could communicate and make a solidarity.
you can visit www.seoulidarity.net