[News] Message from the Women of Okinawa to All US GIs

[Anti-Imperialist News]

http://www.counterpunch.org/cpnews02212008.html

February 21, 2008


A Message from the Women of Okinawa


To All US GIs in Okinawa

By CounterPunch News Service

Once again, American GIs have raped an Okinawan girl, one from junior 
high. We are angry.

We do not believe that all of you are rapists. But given the long 
history of similar crimes over the sixty years from the Battle of 
Okinawa continuing to today, one could be forgiven for thinking so. 
If you are a female GI, can you trust these male GIs ?

We know that this incident is only the tip of the iceberg. There have 
been so many rape victims who have told no one and wept silently in 
their beds, that you are probably confident that you could get away 
with it, aren't you. But those days are now over.

We are not going to let us and our mothers, our sisters and our 
daughters be humiliated any longer. Whatever you do, wherever you go, 
we'll be watching you.

You have been turned into killing machines. The military organization 
has sought to teach you to see people not as people, but as something 
to kill. It is that same training that has taught you see us as 
someone you can rape casually. Go back to your hometown, where your 
mother is, and try to get yourself back to being a decent human being.

We do not hate you as individuals. But as members of the US military 
organization, you are unwelcome here. Maybe you imagine you are 
protecting Okinawa. But because you are here, we never feel safe. 
Because you are here, we feel constant fear.

You think that because the US military shed blood to seize Okinawa in 
World War II, the place belongs to you and you can do anything you 
want here, don't you.

But whatever countries or governments may have won or lost whatever 
wars, we have our dignity, our honor, and our freedom, and these are 
our islands, our land, our sky, our sea. It is here that we maintain 
the chain of life, giving birth to children, and raising them to be 
adults. This is the women of Okinawa. And this is what we are proud 
of. We will not allow you to continue to insult the pride, the honor, 
the dignity of us and our mothers, sisters and daughters. Go back to 
America. Now.

Okiinawan women are handing this statement to US military personnel. 
Contact address: <mailto:ushiibaakami at yahoo.co.jp>ushiibaakami at yahoo.co.jp




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