〈The Purpose of the July 7 "Mass Blackout protest"
Citizens Dressed in Black to Protest at Prefectural Headquarters〉
This protest was held to oppose Motohiko Saito’s fivefold suppression of speech.
1. The distortion and suppression of the whistleblower’s expressed intention to “protest with his death.”
2. Making an example of prefectural officials in the press conference room in order to silence criticism and admonition.
3. Filing a criminal complaint against Tamotsu Sugano, who protested on the spot against Saito’s act of “killing” the whistleblower a second time.
4. Filing criminal complaints against citizens who similarly voiced criticism and protest.
5. Suppressing speech in order to intimidate citizens who may seek to criticize Saito in the future.
Freedom of speech is the foundation of democracy. In Hyogo Prefecture, where Motohiko Saito has carried out an extraordinary crackdown against citizens, the situation can be described as “the death of democracy.”
To symbolize the “death of democracy” in Hyogo, we wore mourning attire for the protest. By holding it on the anniversary of the whistleblower’s death, the protest also served as an act of remembrance.
We also deliberately held placards bearing the word “murderer,” the very word that has become the target of this suppression of speech.
"Mass Blackout protest" was a protest and demonstration march to show our resistance to the “death of democracy” brought about by Motohiko Saito.
Hyogo Restoration Initiative Initiative
Chair: Don Matz
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