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Ex-lawmaker adds voice against protests
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Posted on Jun 27 2005
Former congressman Stanley T. Torres echoed the feelings of local residents who are upset that some South Koreans and other nationalities are using the visit of the Emperor of Japan as an opportunity to stage protests.
Acknowledging that people have a right to protest, Torres said in a statement that the issue is not about rights but about “doing what’s right.”
“This is our place and people should respect our feelings, too. Koreans and others should take their protests to Korea or Japan. They have had an opportunity to do that everyday, every month, every year, for the past 60 years. Don’t use the Northern Mariana Islands for that purpose now,” he said.
The former lawmaker pointed out that there is a time and place for everything. “The emperor is coming to pay respects for the dead and pray. Our culture also holds great reverence for those who have passed away. It is a deep personal solemn experience; let the emperor and his wife have the peace to do that,” Torres said.
Reacting to press reports where Koreans are demanding that the emperor pray at the Korean memorial, Torres noted that is “highly objectionable” for one group to demand that another group pray for them. “You don’t tell people who they have to pray for or where they must pray. That’s overboard.”
The sites that emperor and his wife will visit on Saipan are all located on public lands, which are owned by the indigenous people.
“This is our land and we wish to preserve dignity and respect. This is their first visit. We welcome him, his wife and all of those who wish to come, pray and remember. You will not see Chamorros and Carolinians protesting for a very good reason—it’s not the time or place for that. We were here in World War II. We were dragged into a war that was neither our making nor choice; our people suffered, too. We will never forget the past and we don’t want people to forget. But we do forgive. It’s a different time, three generations removed. These protests and signs on public land are an insult to the indigenous people which mar and disgrace an otherwise honorable visit by the emperor of Japan to our peaceful island.”
