The Victims of the Japanese military sexual slavery and the supporters around the globe, including the citizens of Osaka, Japan who have petitioned the SF Mayor Ed Lee to sign the Resolution congratulate CWJC, the organization that led the installation of the "Comfort Women" Memorial in St. Mary's Square in San Francisco
San Francisco, CA, November 22, 2017 – On Wednesday, November 22, 2017 (local time), the San Francisco Mayor's office confirmed that the Mayor Edwin Lee signed the Resolution, previously passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously, that will officially adopt the "Comfort Women Column of Strength (hereinafter "Comfort Women" Memorial)" as City Property.
Upon hearing the news, Grandma Yong-soo Lee ("Comfort Women" survivor and activist) said, "Thank you, Mayor Lee, for helping us achieve our goal. I will never forget all your efforts to remember our history. I want to give each one of you a big hug! Thank you, judges (the co-chairs of the CWJC) and CWJC members for the work you did! Congratulations!!" Grandma Yong-soo Lee has testified in front of the Board of Supervisors in September 2015, in support of the resolution to establish a "Comfort Women" memorial in San Francisco's public site and helped the Memorial project to succeed.
CWJC co-chair Julie Tang said, "The Abe’s policy of denial of the Comfort Women history and fake news has been now defeated. It’s time for Abe and his cronies to own up to the truth and make a sincere and legal apology to all victims throughout the world. Let the record stand that neither SF mayor and Board of Supervisors nor the citizens will be bullied by the Japanese government when it comes to protecting all women from sexual violence."
Lillian Sing, who co-chairs CWJC with Tang said, "When we received hundreds of letters of support for the "Comfort Women" Memorial from Japanese citizens of Osaka and beyond, we knew that the people of Japan disagree with their deluded leaders who think a $500 Million Public Relations budget can trick the world into believing their lies. The more they try to deny and suppress the truth, the more our movement will grow."
An executive committee member of CWJC Phyllis Kim said, "The Japanese government has exposed itself in the broad daylight its revisionist position to the whole world, but their denial will only help raise more awareness of the people in the world. And yes, more Memorials will be built around the globe as people realize the importance of memorializing this important truth.
Background:
Comfort Women Justice Coalition (CWJC), a diverse coalition of community-based groups and individuals throughout the SF Bay Area, formed in August 2015 to memorialize “Comfort Women” in San Francisco and to educate the public about Japanese Military Sexual Slavery and Human Trafficking system while Japan engaged in wars of colonial aggression through WWII. Its aim is to remember history, and help bring justice for the victims and eradicate sexual violence against women around the world. On September 22nd, 2017, CWJC unveiled a monument dedicated to the “Comfort Women” in St. Mary’s Square Annex, to remember and honor the victims of “Comfort Women” and all women and girls afflicted by sexual violence.
Contact:
Julie Tang, Co-Chair, Comfort Women Justice Coalition
Cell: (415) 225-2669
Email: comforwomencoalition@gmail.com
Website: www.RememberComfortWomen.org