TOKYO, Jan. 13 – Americans living in Japan will hold a series of events that are open to the public in connection with the U.S. presidential inauguration, including a march and a vigil near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo to thank outgoing President Barack Obama for his service and to thank our civil servants for the work they do for Americans overseas.
These events, coordinated by Democrats Abroad Japan, will be held in conjunction with others taking place across the world as a part of Democrats Abroad’s Global Week of Action.
“As Americans overseas, we want to thank President Obama for his service not only as a leader at home, but also globally,” said Tom Schmid, chairman of Democrats Abroad Japan. “Many Americans and our friends from other nations are concerned that President Obama’s progressive policies will be reversed by the new administration and a Republican-controlled Congress. We welcome all people who have the same concerns to join us as we organize worldwide to help protect President Obama’s accomplishments in the areas of health care, the environment, civil rights, equality, diversity, peace and international cooperation.”
On Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, a vigil will take place outside the U.S. Embassy from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a march starting at Hibiya Park at 6:30 p.m. and ending at Mikawadai Park in Roppongi at approximately 8:00 p.m.
On Jan. 22, a teach-in featuring professor and author R. Taggart Murphy will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wesley Center in Minami-Aoyama to analyze the 2016 election and to discuss how the Democratic Party can move forward towards the 2018 Mid-Term Election. Other speakers include Alex Gonzalez, Democrats Abroad delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention and former Democrats Abroad Japan Chair Mike Stensrud. All events are free and open to the public.
Further details on each event are available at:
http://www.democratsabroad.org/jp_events and
http://www.facebook.com/groups/demsabroadjapan/events/
Contacts (for press inquiries only):
Tom Schmid
Chairman, Democrats Abroad Japan
[email protected]
Leslie Anne Rogers
Vice Chair, Democrats Abroad Japan
[email protected]
For Japanese media:
Jenise Treuting
Secretary, Democrats Abroad Japan
[email protected]