Our Activity

The 65th March 1st Bikini Day Rally 2019
Yaizu City, Japan

Konichua and Iakwe,

At the outset, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Gensuikyo for the invitation to attend this very important gathering.  It’s an honor to be here and let me tell you this time around it wasn’t easy to get here.   And before I continue please allow me to convey warm greetings from the Rongelapese women, particularly the survivors, a very few of whom are still alive.

Back in my country a similar gathering is taking place this very same day.  A coordinating committee consisting of representatives from the four affected atolls (Bikini, Enewetak, Rongelap and Utrik), NGOs, College of the Marshall Island students in collaboration with Government organized several events aside from the official ceremony -- a nuclear symposium, peace march and the first ever concert involving youths from all 24 atolls and islands in the Republic to perform songs that tell the story of the RMI Nuclear Legacy.

This year today is more important because it’s a day all women around the world are praying.  An annual event called International Day of Prayer for Women. The theme this year is ‘Come, everything is ready!’  However you may interpret it, for me I find it very fitting to why we are gathering here and what we want to achieve.

Bikini Day….a day filled with emotions for all of us -- it’s the day of the world changeover.   We should never forget that thousands of lives were taken away, people were used as guinea-pigs, families and friends suffered and displaced, peace and security at risks, because of what happened 65 years ago today.

My late cousin Lemeyo Abon shared her story about March 1st and Bravo shot.  In her account it all began when she was 14 years old on Rongelap atoll.  That particular morning, Lemeyo was awaken by the loud thundering noise of a 13 megaton hydrogen bomb which exploded just 94 miles away on Bikini atoll.  She had no clue along with everyone else on the island what was coming.  The bomb was 1000 times greater than Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.

Lemeyo was a happy kid, had many friends and always had time to play.  She took responsibility for her playmates being older. Part of the games was food gathering to make it fun and that’s exactly what they were doing when the white powder was falling from the sky like snow.  They ended up eating the powder and it burned their mouth.  Still they had no idea.

As the nuclear poison devoured the land and people’s play time became crying time for all the children.  All eighty-five children and adults on the island suffered from diarrhea, vomiting, itchiness and body pain.  That was the last time Lemeyo enjoyed life in her youth, the very same day her life was changed forever.  Her health, body and dignity were all used as guinea pigs ‘for the good of all mankind’ as the US military personnel said.

Lemeyo in her adult life was not even better. She had surgery to remove her thyroid, had many miscarriages, on medication for life and until her death last year February 19th she remained a subject matter under the US Department of Energy.  Lemeyo was buried on March 1st in Majuro.  She was a very humble person regardless, a true human rights advocator and lejmaanjuri for peace and life.  Her wish was a total abolition of nuclear bombs.

Even though the RMI hasn’t signed on and ratified the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), it doesn’t mean there is disagreement with the intent, according to the newly established National Nuclear Commission (NNC).  The decision to hold is merely a political one and they are just waiting for the right time.

Marshallese people are benefitting a lot from the Compact of Free Association with the United States which include free entry into the US, better opportunities, health care, education and welfare.  There are four more years into the compact of free association until the year 2023, when the economic package will expire.  It means the Federal Funds, education and health and infrastructure assistance.  Government is considering a proposal to bring to US to make a new agreement. Nuclear issues will be part of the discussion.

The role of the NNC is to oversee the RMI nuclear legacy which involves developing a national strategy and action plan to pursuit justice; preserving data and reports, journals and research papers, court cases related to nuclear program past, present and future; provide advice to the President.

To further advance our actions and commitment for human rights and pursuit for justice, the RMI Government launched the campaign late last year in the international arena seeking support for membership in the UN Human Rights Council.  A new RMI Embassy in Geneva will officially open this coming summer.  For a small country as we are to take bold actions in building presence in Geneva compliments our continued efforts for world peace.  Never give up!

I live and work on Ebeye, Kwajalein Atoll, one of the biggest atolls in the world nearly four miles away from the US Military base, home of the Ronald Reagan missile tests.  Periodically the missile is launched from Vandenberg, California and land precisely in Kwajalein lagoon.  Every time after the tests, many people within the atoll complain about feeling sick.

Kwajalein lagoon is highly contaminated and polluted also with PCV, lead and high concentration of chemical being dumped through the storm drainage.  The fish and marine animals are poisoned by which the health and livelihood of the local community on Ebeye is now at risk, especially the children and vulnerable families. Seafood is the main source of protein, but now people have to depend more on imported food which means diabetes, heart problems and other non-communicable diseases will rise.

US Department of Energy this year will be reassessing the plutonium problem existing within Kwajalein lagoon.  The initial study was done in the 60s uncovered by Nuclear Claims Tribunal advocate, late friend of ours, Bill Graham.  The report was showing high plutonium count.  We are very eager to know the result.

On the opposite side of Kwajalein atoll is where the people of Rongelap reside on Mejatto islet.  People continue to live in hardship and isolation. In the surrounding sea fish is very scarce.  This week, Government is deploying RO units, desalination equipment, to produce water.  There is report that Mejatto is starting to be affected by the draught.

November this year the national election will be held and the future of Rongelap and the whole Marshall Islands will be determined.  The resettlement program, particularly the housing construction program on Rongelap island is currently halted.  The trust fund has decreased drastically for many reasons but most obvious is miss-using of funds as pointed out in the recent audit report.  There hasn’t been any new development in terms of US assistance nor compensation to people of Rongelap, especially the survivors.

The theme of the Bikini Day this year is very forward looking and empowering. I congratulate the organizing committee here.  We should involve more young people if we want the movements to be sustainable and stronger.  I speak of such because in RMI the topic of nuclear bomb is not as interesting as internet and games.  But I notice changes now that more young people are involved even if they are from non-nuclear background.

There is a Marshallese saying ‘jodrikdrik ro rej ilju im jeklaj an aelon kein’ it means ‘Young people are the future of our islands’.  Invest in our young people and one day soon we’ll achieve our goal.  Nuclear weapons will not be an issue anymore.

Before I was heading to the airport, I spoke with Nerje Joseph, the eldest bubu from Rongelap, one of the Bravo shot survivors.  She is getting weaker, but gives you her Iakwe/love and thank you for your friendship and the good work you do.  To Gensuikyo, Kommool tata.