European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 17, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 6 stars and stripes saturday March 17 2007 Okinawa mayor chides us military Over kids by David Allen stars and stripes Chatan Okinawa the mayor of this town adjacent to several us military bases wants the military to keep better control of its juvenile dependents the comments came in the Wake of an incident a week ago in which a soldiers 19yearold son allegedly shot a 50yearold woman with a metallic Pellet from an air Rifle the boy considered a minor under Japa Nese Law remains in Okinawa police custody while they investigate the incident a police spokesman said the youth admitted shooting at tin cans from the Balcony of his of base Home i was strongly shocked by the fact that people and cars were hit Chatan mayor Masaharu Noguni told stars and stripes on wednesday he said the incident increased the fears of residents of the towns Yamagawa District a popular shopping and entertainment area local residents have already expressed apprehension that crime in the area might increase As More and More servicemen Bers and their families move into the neigh boyhood he said but the apprehension became a reality with this shooting Inci Dent the incident took place shortly after pm on March 9 the woman was wounded in the Chest and was treated at the nearby us naval Hospital on Camp Lester the neighbourhood where the shooting took place is heavily populated area with a Day care Center childrens Center and other Public facilities Noguni said because it is a school zone Many parents have voiced concern of the safety of their children he noted that although the number of crimes by us service members has de creased in recent years crimes by dependents has risen that concerns us he said Japan is not a gun toting society Noguni said he has filed complaints with the Okinawa Liaison office of the ministry of foreign affairs the defense administrations Naha Bureau and the us forces Japan Okinawa area Field office the Usaj office had no comment thurs Day under japanese Law air rifles that shoot metallic projectiles Are strictly controlled said Hidemi Tedo Kori chief of the Community safety division of the Okinawa prefectural police station in Okinawa City firearms that fire metallic projectiles or other projectiles that harm human beings animals Are subject to punishment under the firearm control Law he said also even fake guns if they Are Metal and resemble real guns Are prohibited Chiyomi Sumida contributed to this report email David Allen at 2 groups plan dueling protests in Washington Sheehan by Leo Shane Iii stars and stripes Washington a pair of St Patricks Day rallies will bring thousands of protesters on oppo site sides of the political spectrum to within a few Hundred feet of each other on the National mall the first organized by act now to Stop War and end Rac ism will in clude a Parade from the mall to the Pentagon to rally against operations in Iraq and the Ris ing defense budget according to answer spokesman Bill Hack Well the Sec Ond dubbed the gather ing of eagles is designed to show the troops our support and Tell them not to believe the hype that everyone is against them according to group spokesman Kristinn Tay Lor both men expect big crowds for the Allday events Taylor said his groups permit application Esti mates up to 20000 attending while answer is helping arrange More than 200 bus caravans nation wide for now the Antiwar rally is scheduled to begin Early saturday to the West of the Vietnam Veter ans memorial Wall while the Gath ering will take place mainly to the East Taylor said his group does not have plans for direct confrontation of the other protesters and will not follow their March across the River to the Pentagon City officials and National Park police still Are finalizing plans for How to handle both groups the gathering group has accused the Antiwar protesters of planning to vandalize the Wall Malkin Sharpton and promised to defend the Monu ment answer members insist the counter rally is designed to intimidate opposition views and possibly provoke protesters Park police do not allow protest ers of any sort within a few Hun dred feet of the Vietnam memorial or any others no demonstrators Are allowed to March in restricted areas regard less their Issue said Bill line spokesman for the National Park service both sides Are scheduling High pro file speakers including Gold Star fam Ilies an Swers rally will feature the Rev Al Sharpton Ralph Nader and Cindy Sheehan among oth ers Mem Bers of the veterans group rolling Thunder and conservative Colum nist Michelle Malkin Are expected at the counter event a caravan of military supporters driving through 12 states collect ing flags for the gathering of eagles members of veterans for peace military families speak out and other Active Antiwar groups Are directing their Mem Bers to the answer rally Hackwell said he Hopes troops overseas see that his group has their Best interests at heart and wants to bring them Home safely immediately but Taylor said troops need to hear that the american Public still wants them to succeed in Iraq and thanks them for their sacrifice for More information about the Antiwar rally visit for More information on the counter rally visit email Leo Shane at Nader Send you it bide we can ship and convert most models bring a Friend and receive off on each contract signed Usa totes Patoy St Patricks Day festival at Paddy Foley mar 12 18 Irish film festival mar 17 St Patricks Day Tokyo Tower goes Green see from Paddy Foley mar 1418 a special Irish food and drink Irish whiskey festival Over 30 Irish whiskies includes whiskey presentation on thursday mar Marg live Cheltenham Gold cup Contact Paddy Foley for More details leprechauns Ball Tokyo biggest St Patricks Day dance party from 8pm Uvell 6 nations Rugby finale Italy is mar 18 the Parade party live Irish music and dance session with musician Dun an doras and Al girl group Paddy dancers 9 party a few url