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2019 Messages from the International Youth Relay Marchers

Malaya Fabros, Nuclear-Free Philippines Coalition (Peace Marcher 2013 / Initiator of the International Youth Relay March

Message for the Peace March 2019:

Greetings of Peace and Solidarity to everyone! I am very much excited for this year’s Peace March. Thank you very much to Gensuikyo for allowing the International Youth Relay once again this year.

As a Peace Marcher from several years ago, I am very thankful to have had this experience of walking in the Peace March. It has allowed me to have meaningful interaction with Hibakushas and the grassroots peace movement in Japan. Walking can be a form of meditation and bonding. When you walk with someone for a few hours, you develop a bond with them for life.

I witnessed how the Peace March can become a place and process of learning about peace in all its forms. Because of this, I feel strongly compelled to help in planting this seed of experience to many more young people who will carry the heart and memories of the Hibakushas.

I believe that the core of what Hibakushas and the peace movement is fighting for is respect for life in all its forms. A life of dignity anchored on justice that manifests in all aspects of our lives - social, political, environmental, economic and spiritual.

I would like to call on young Japanese people to make time to join the Peace March. Even just for a few meter, a few steps, a few hours, or over the weekend. Come with an open mind and an open heart. Meet people, ask questions, take time to learn about peace and how it is really important to your country. Get a chance to meet with the Hibakushas while you still can. Never forget this experience. And share it with everyone you know.

And hopefully may you continue doing this enriching process as you lead a life of peace building. The Peace March is yours. Young people from other countries make way to join and witness this march. It is just in your neighbourhood. Make the most out of it, especially now that the Hibakushas are still alive.

Being a citizen of an A-Bombed country, your voice is very important in calling for the real abolition of nuclear weapons. Your voice matters very much. And maybe perhaps, like Greta Thunberg of Sweden calling for climate justice, your voice as youth of Japan together with the Hibakushas - be a strong voice of conscience around the world, especially in the NPT Conference. Next year will be the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings. Don’t you think it’s finally time to realize a nuclear free world for real?

Let us walk together from May 6 - August 9, 2019 all the way to 2020! And share the spirit of the Peace March! See you and gambarimashoo!

A.G. Saño, Artist/ Teach Peace, Build Peace, the Philippines (Peace Marcher 2015 - 2019)

Message of solidarity:

As the 75th commemoration of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings gets closer, I would like to express my deep admiration to the Hibakushas and their families who have shown humanity the real meaning of courage. A year from now, the milestone of 75 years of suffering shall be remembered and 75 years of healing shall be celebrated.

As an ally in their quest for lasting peace and nuclear free world, I commit to continue being an active steward of their message to the world. I strongly encourage and invite the Japanese youth to be the same: carriers of the good news of hope from the Hibakushas and to come out and march with us in the 2019 peace march!

Valtimore Fenis, Mindanao People’s Peace Movement, the Philippines (Peace Marcher 2016)

High Respect to all of the Hibakushas who never bend down despite all odds just to push for a nuke-free future. I would like to commend also the rest of the advocates and organizers standing and fighting the same fight - against all forms of militarization and oppression.

Indeed, we've won more but much more works to do still. The imperialist and capitalist powers are in their more sophisticated armaments contesting for dominance. It is a threat to humanity aside from the real climate emergency that we have today.

Let us always get inspiration to our martyrs who to their last breath they uttered and worked for the abolition of all forms of oppression and nuke weapons.

Dear Comrades, let us strengthen more our solidarity and actions.

We are in this together! March On! Let us Keep Marching On!

Keep the rhythm and beat of our feet play the melody of our dreams!

Best wishes to all peace marchers, international participants and organizing committees!

Congratulations and Mabuhay!

Emily Rubino (Peace Marcher 2018), Director of Policy and Outreach, Peace Action New York State, U.S.A.

I would like to express my solidarity and admiration for the Hibakusha, as well as the peace activists all across Japan who have been working tirelessly for a nuclear free world. We are in this fight together. As a 2018 International Youth Relay Marcher, I was proud to participate in the over 60 year legacy of the Japan Peace March. I felt it was important as a young U.S. citizen to make it clear that my government does not speak for me or for the other young people I work with: we want a nuclear free world! We carry forward the torch that the anti-nuclear activists before us have carried for so long. I would encourage young folks in Japan to join the march too-we all need to work together towards a nuclear free future. March on!

Sarifoddin Ben Hashim (Peace Marcher 2018) Co-Founder, LUGAR (Land Use Green Advocacy Revolution), the Philippines

Assalamualaykhum!! (Greetings of Peace!! )

It has been a year since the first time that I have attended the yearly commemoration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.

I would like to thank everyone for keeping this tradition alive, without your hard work, dedication and love for the next generation, the stories of the bombings and experiences of Hibakusha's couldn't have been preserved.

As you continue your march for peace, we are here with you cheering and praying for your good health and unending strength!!

Having been with you for a very brief time inspired me and my community of how worth it is to preserve and spread the advocacy for peace, it is an honor to have walked side by side with you and for that you have my deepest admiration and respect!!!

For the Hibakusha's, we thank you for not getting tired of sharing this event to the world for 75 YEARS!!!, we thank you for the gift of peace!!

For the youngsters that have joined, I want you to know that you are more than lucky to have a community of dedicated people who prioritize peace more than anything else. It is a 'Gift' a gift of peace...

And for everybody involved I thank you for keeping this very important tradition alive!!

THANK YOU!!!

Emilie (Em) Clark (Peace Marcher 2018), Administrator, Peace Action New York State, U.S.A.

Hi friends at Gensuikyo,

I am very excited to extend my solidarity to the 2019 Peace March participants! I was honored to join as an International Youth Relay marcher last year, and was inspired and humbled to be a part of this important journey for peace. I am incredibly grateful to my fellow marchers, our amazing hosts, and the Hibakusha who shared their stories with us. My support goes out to you all again this year. It is so hard to believe that 72 years after the tragedy of the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we live in a world that still views nuclear war as a viable option to conflict. I believe that young people have an important choice to make regarding the future safety and diplomacy of our world. We could turn away, ashamed and afraid of the policy's of our leaders. Or we could stand up and demand a brighter tomorrow. It is up to us to learn from the past, to learn from the harrowing stories of the Hibakusha, and to demand nuclear-free foreign policies that prioritize peace and cooperation. I urge young people in Japan to join this march, and to stand up for the peace we all deserve.

Thank you all for your dedication to a nuclear-free world!

Em