Japan's Okinawans rally against U.S. military crimes

[Joanne98]

Source: Reuters

TOKYO (Reuters) - Thousands of Okinawans rallied on Sunday to protest crimes by U.S. troops and demand a smaller U.S. military presence on the southern Japanese island after last month's arrest of a Marine on suspicion of raping a schoolgirl.

"Crimes and accidents due to the bases have happened over and over and Okinawa has protested with intense anger to both the U.S. and Japanese governments," Kyodo quoted Okinawa City Mayor Mitsuko Tomon as telling a crowd gathered in heavy rain in the town of Chatan, where the February incident occurred.

"But each time, our voices have been trampled and there has been no end to the heinous crimes," the mayor added.

Organizers estimated about 6,000 people took part in the rally, Kyodo news agency said. Police declined to give an estimate.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUST33805220080323

[Rage for Order]

1. You forgot this part...

Sorta relevant, don't you think? From the linked article:

"The girl, who came under heavy criticism on the Internet, later dropped charges, and Hadnott was released to the custody of U.S. military authorities, who have been investigating the case."

[loves_dulcinea]

2. i was there for a couple of years,

attached to the naval hospital, in the early nineties, right outside of chatan-cho. The mayor has a point.

i saw many U.S. servicemen acting in ways that made me very sad for the locals.

i have nothing but nice things to say about the islanders. they were a lovely and gracious people, by and large.

[Carmavore]

3. Severe restrictions..

I heard that all american service members (and their dependants) were confined to their respective bases while this is being investigated. Does anyone know if this is still going on?