On Sunday, September 26, 2010, Protesters in Tokyo’s Miyashita Park “banged drums and waved ‘No Nike’ ” signs in opposition of Nike’s plans build a skateboard park in an area which was formerly used as a homeless encampment, according to a story on Japan Today.
Officials accompanied by police tore out the squatters’ tents from the park Friday and threw out their belongings. More than 30 homeless people were forced to vacate the area, according to Yasumasa Hioki, director of public works at Shibuya district, an area filled with fancy boutiques and young shoppers. . . “This is just an excuse to get rid of the homeless,” said protest organizer Seiji Uematsu, adding residents and visitors should decide how to use the park.
And all Nike wants to do is put in a skatepark and use a public space as an advertising venue by changing the name of the park to Miyashita Nike Park.
[Link: Japan Today and Metro.co.uk]
