This memorial honors the girls and women, euphemistically called “Comfort Women,” who were enslaved by the Japanese Imperial Armed Force from 1931 to 1945. The Comfort Women constitute one of the largest known cases of human trafficking in the 20th country with estimates ranging up to the hundreds of thousands. This dark history was hidden for decades until the 1990s when the survivors courageously broke their silence
The Comfort Women are from at least thirteen Asian-Pacific countries, principally from Korea. Most died or were killed during World War II
This memorial is dedicated to the memory of these girls and women and to the crusade to eradicate sexual violence and sex trafficking throughout the world.
We will never forget. We will teach the truth.
Presented to the City of Brookhaven for its leadership In the fight against sex trafficking
From the Atlanta Comfort Women Memorial Task Force June 30, 2017
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Symbolism of the Memorial
GIRL- Represents the average of 16 when most girls were abducted FACE – Express defiant, fearless resolve. CROPPED HAIR- Symbolizes the girl being forcibly removed from her family. CLENCHED FISTS- Represent the girl’s resolve to no longer be silent but to tell the truth. BARE FEET- Represents the girl’s inability to return home and find peace. BIRD- Is a symbol of peace, freedom and liberation. The bird connects those victims who returned to the sky and the ones who are still left on the ground. EMPTY CHAIR- Gives visitors a chance to sit in the place of the comfort women and think “What if it was me? What if it was my family member, my sister?” SHADOW- Is of an older woman, symbolizing the long period of hardship spent in silence. BUTTERFLY- Represents the girl’s wish for rebirth.
Brookhaven GEORGIA Sex trafficking still exists around the world Including in our own neighborhoods. In 2014, metro Atlanta ranked as the top area in the nation for these crimes according to the FBI. While reflecting on this historical memorial, consider how you can recognize and speak out about these crimes happening today.
huffington post 07/12/2017
Ron Klink, Contributor Democratic politician and Fr. Member of Congress
In Brookhaven, Let’s Put Women First http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/in-brookhaven-lets-put-women-first_us_59669219e4b051f16255e5a7 ↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑
※いったん削除された前回記事（保管場所 http://sakura.a.la9.jp/2/ ）とほぼ同じ内容ですが、PinkPony（ストリップハウス）と市の関係の部分が削除されています。
削除された部分 「The Atlanta Comfort Women Memorial Task Force has been rumored to be affiliated with Pink Pony – a local gentleman’s club that has been allegedly connected to human trafficking rings, and that is frequented by Korean businessman. What’s disturbing is that Brookhaven has a legal ban on strip clubs, and yet the city has given Pink Pony permission to continue operating its business. During the investigation, it was reported that female victims were forced to dance at the Pink Pony while being held against their will. By focusing on a decades-old issue between two foreign countries, which was absolutely no relevance to the citizens of Brookhaven, it appears that the city of Brookhaven is either trying to divert attention away from issues with Pink Pony, or simply ignoring the local issue of human trafficking entirely.」
左）グレンデール慰安婦像を推進したKACFのPhyllis Kim
右）ブルックヘブン市議のLinley Jones氏
Task Force （慰安婦推進団体）Helen Ho氏がメディアの取材を受ける
左から ブルックヘブン市議John Park氏、慰安婦推進団体 Helen Ho氏, Kelly Ahn氏、KAFC Phyllis Kim氏
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碑文
Young Girl’s Statue for Peace
This memorial honors the girls and women, euphemistically called “Comfort Women,” who were enslaved by the Japanese Imperial Armed Forces from 1931 to 1945.
The Comfort Women constitute one of the largest known cases of human trafficking in the 20th century with estimates ranging up to the hundreds of thousands.
This dark history was hidden for decades until the 1990s, when the survivors courageously broke their silence.
The Comfort Women are from at least thirteen Asian-Pacific countries, principally from Korea.
Most died or were killed during World War II.
This memorial is dedicated to the memory of these girls and women and to the crusade to eradicate sexual violence and sex trafficking throughout the world. We will never forget. We will teach the truth.
Presented to the City of Brookhaven for its leadership in the fight against sex trafficking
From the Atlanta Comfort Women Memorial Task Force
＜例 1＞
Dear Mayor and Council Members of Brookhaven:
I am against the comfort women monument in Brookhaven.
Currently there is only one comfort women statue in public property outside of Korea. That is in Glendale, CA, USA. Its plaque inscribes “I was a sex slave of Japanese military.”
A group of Japanese Americans filed a lawsuit to remove the statue. In February, 2017, the Japanese government summited amicus curie in support of the petitioners to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Please read it at http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/000231732.pdf .
The “Comfort Women Issue” is not simply human right issue, but is politically and diplomatically controversial and complicated issue between Korea and Japan.
The peaceful city of Brookhaven should not be involved in such issue by erecting memorial.
Japanese are very upset about the statue in Glendale. Brookhaven should not be the next one.
＜例 2＞
Dear Mayor and Council Members of Brookhaven:
I am against the comfort women monument in Brookhaven.
You must understand that the comfort women issue is politically and diplomatically controversial issue.
The Japanese government once recalled her ambassador and Council General to Pusan to home, and terminated or postponed negotiations with the government of South Korea. This decision took place in response to Korea’s decision to install a Comfort Women statue in Public place in Pusan, the second largest city in S. Korea.
Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary /January 6, 2017
http://japan.kantei.go.jp/tyoukanpress/201701/6_a.html
The peaceful city of Brookhaven should not be involved in such issue by erecting memorial of one-sided allegations.
＜例 3＞
Dear Mayor and Council Members of Brookhaven:
I am against the comfort women monument in Brookhaven.
It is very upsetting to know that you plan to erect the comfort women monument in the public property.
The inscriptions of the memorial often depicts “Comfort Women” as “hundreds of thousands of women and girls who were abducted and coerced into sexual slavery by Japanese military during WW2.” What are the evidence or primary source to proof these allegations?
The government of Japan officially denies above at UN human rights committees, stating “the figure ‘200,000 persons’ as the number of comfort women also lacks concrete evidence”, “the expression ‘sex slaves’ contradicts the facts” and “there are one-sided claims which lack any corroborative evidence in the reports by the United Nations Special Rapporteurs as well as in the criticisms and recommendations from treaty bodies”.
I believe the monument will divide your multi-cultural good communities. And also it will drive a wedge among US, South Korea, and Japan alliance, and that will only make Communist China and North Korea happy.
＜例 4＞
Dear Mayor and Council Members of Brookhaven:
I am writing to you concerning a memorial for “comfort women” in Brookhaven. I would ask that you turn down the plan.
The proposer has been insisting that this is a human rights issue. It may be true. But, instead of blaming only Japan, it is more appropriate to address all major human rights issues in the world and learn from the cases to solve them and prevent from happening again.
I am strongly against the installation of memorial of Comfort women in Brookhaven.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
＜例 5＞
Dear Mayor and Council Members of Brookhaven:
I am writing to you concerning a memorial for “comfort women” in Brookhaven. I would ask that you turn down the plan.
Chinese and Korean interest has been waging a concerted anti-Japan/Japanese movements all over the United States. The “hate Japan” education in their homeland has been promoting the atmosphere even in the U.S. more than 70 years after the last war. We should work toward the future for the benefits of the younger generations in a more constructive way rather than destructively.
I am strongly against the installation of memorial of Comfort women in Brookhaven.
Thank you very much.
＜例 6＞
Dear Mayor and Council Members of Brookhaven:
I am writing to you concerning a memorial for “comfort women” in Brookhaven. I would ask that you turn down the plan.
Japanese people are strongly opposed to the comfort woman memorial because it will create a conflict among people, leading to hate crime and children bullying not only in your city but also elsewhere. I hear there is such a case in Glendale, New York, New Jersey and even in Australia.
I am strongly against the installation of memorial of Comfort women in a park in Brookhaven.
Thank you very much.
I strongly protest against the “Comfort Women” monument in Brookhaven.
Before you will place the proposed comfort women memorial in the public property, you must know about the comfort women for American GIs after the WW2.
In Japan, soon after WW2 in 1945, the brothels, or RAA (Recreation and Amusement Association), were set up for U.S. servicemen pouring into Japan and hired more than 50,000 Japanese prostitutes. South Korea had a similar comfort station system for U.S.-led U.N. troops during the 1950-1953 Korean War and promoted sex businesses for American troops after the war.
Please understand that Japanese are very upset about the “comfort women” statues, because they single out only Japanese military. That is unfair and is nothing but an insult to Japanese.
