Group to Hold Fukushima Remembered Event

Part 1 - Fukushima Dai-ichi Disaster First Anniversary Memorial Observed

Two survivors of Japan’s 2011 massive earthquake, tsunami, explosions and nuclear reactor meltdowns, Ms. Kyoko Sugasawa and Mr. HirohideSukuma of Fukushima will speak Saturday, March 10, at the San Clemente Community Center, 100 Calle Seville on how their lives and those of hundreds of thousands of people have been forever altered by the disasters. The memorial program will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The South Coast premiere of “Fukushima, Never Again” will also be featured on the program. The documentary focuses on children, who are most susceptible to the long-term effects of radiation and of the ongoing struggles of Japanese citizens to make TEPCO, the owners of the nuclear plant and the Japanese government “do the right thing.”  Following will be a perspective on the abundant safe alternatives to nuclear power presented by pro-surfer, Kyle Thiermann.

The evening will conclude with a quiet candlelight procession honoring the many lives lost and those still suffering the loss of loved ones, of community, of home, and of their way of life.

Part 2 - Concerned Citizens to Protest at San Onofre, Comparing it to Fukushima.

In a second event, many people from Orange, San Diego, and Riverside counties will gather Sunday, March 11, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for a peaceful rally and protest at San Onofre State Beach, one-half mile south of San Onofre Nuclear Power Generator. The focus will be on similarities of the Fukushima-Dai-ichi power plant to San Onofre.  Like Japan’s, San Onofre is on the shore of the Pacific Ocean adjacent to active earthquake faults.

Again, Ms. Sugasawa and Mr. Sukuma will be there to share their personal story as well as other speakers raising a myriad of concerns of living in close proximity to a problem-ridden, aging nuclear power plant.

Both Units II and III have been shut down for over a month due to a radiation leak. It was discovered that thin metal tubes inside one of two steam generators showed greater-than-expected signs of wear. Over 800 tubes were affected.

The thinner the tubes are worn, the more likely they are to burst. Both reactors’ four generators were replaced less than two years ago at a cost of $680 million dollars. A few months ago, San Onofre had to be evacuated due to an ammonia leak. 

Over 4,000 tons of radioactive waste is still stored on site. Along with the many other known issues at San Onofre, including having ten times the number of safety allegations over industry standards, it is understandable why citizens are so concerned about a dangerous power plant that only provides 7% of California's energy.

Click here for more details on this and the protest on March 11

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