House Resolution 121, if passed, will ask Japan to take full responsibility for the systematic raping and enslavement of over 200,000 women and girls during WWII. In the Philippines, historians estimate that over 1000 Filipina girls young as eight years old to women in their forties were abducted and held captive in garrisons — churches, town halls, schools and private homes captured by Japanese soldiers and turned into comfort stations. Those girls are now lolas in their eighties.
To date, House Res. 121 has 80 co-sponsors in Congress. We need at least 100 to get House Res 121 to pass.
We need to let Congressman Tom Lantos, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi know that the Filipino American community of Northern California, their constituents, believe in House Resolution 121. Please write them. Determine who is your representative and then cut and paste the email message below, sign it and send it to them.
If you live in the following zip code areas — 94002, 94005, 94010, 94011, 94013, 94014, 94015, 94016, 94017, 94019, 94030, 94037, 94038, 94044, 94061, 94062, 94063, 94065, 94066, 94070, 94080, 94083, 94114, 94116, 94117, 94122, 94125, 94127, 94128, 94131, 94132, 94134, 94143, 94401, 94402, 94403, 94404, 94497 -- your congressman is Lantos. Please follow the link and cut and paste the message below.
USE THIS LINK TO EMAIL LANTOS: http://lantos.house.gov/HoR/CA12/Contact+Tom/Contact+Tom+2.htm?zip5=94132&zip4=1722
Dear Representative Lantos,
I am a Filipino American citizen who lives in your district. It is time for the Japanese government to take responsibility for the systematic rape and enslavement of 200,000 women during WWII. Historians believe that 1000 of those women were Filipina and of that number 173 women have come forward. These women are old and dying and waiting for their formal apology. Please give them peace. Please support House Resolution 121. Be a co-sponsor and make your constituents of District 12 proud.
Sincerely,
(your name here)
All others in the Bay Area can email Nancy Pelosi directly: sf.nancy@mail.house.gov. You can use the form letter below or write your own note.
Dear House Speaker Pelosi,
I am a Filipino American citizen who lives in your district. It is time for the Japanese government to take responsibility for the systematic rape and enslavement of 200,000 women during WWII. Historians believe that 1000 of those women were Filipina and of that number 173 women have come forward. These women are old and dying and waiting for their formal apology. Please give them peace. Please support House Resolution 121. Be a co-sponsor and make your constituents of District 8 proud.
Sincerely,
(your name here)
This is an important time for our work as Filipino American citizens. Our elders who have suffered during WWII are looking for our help, our support and our respect. Just as we must band together to support the Filipino American WWII Veterans, it is time for us to step up and speak out for our lolas, our mothers and our aunties who have suffered the plight of the comfort woman.
Thank you in advanced for your support.
Maraming Salamat,
M. Evelina Galang
Comments
"For the Dignity of Girls and Women Everywhere.. .Bear Witness"
Join Us on April 26th, 2007 @ 10:00 am for an
International Day of Solidarity
Japanese Consulate Building
50 Fremont Street
San Francisco (near Embarcadero BART)
On April 26th, 2007, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit U.S. President George Bush at the White House for a summit meeting.
On April 26th, 2007, in a single moment, thousands of people all over the world will participate in DIGNITY WALK in support of the passage of House of Representatives Resolution 121 and calling for the Japanese Government to take full responsibility for its crimes against the thousands of girls and women who were enslaved and raped as "comfort women." We will draw attention to girls and women who are trafficked into slavery and victims of sexual violence. These events will occur simultaneously around the world.
All over the world, we will walk with a message of peace and reconciliation.
Join the Bay Area Coalition for Justice for 'Comfort Women' as we hold a peaceful demonstration to bear witness to the testimonies of the survivors who are still striving for a sense of justice and dignity.
Program will include short cultural performance.
· On April 26th, 2007 at 10 A.M., in San Francisco, we will hold a peaceful demonstration in front of the Japanese Consulate.
· On April 26th, 2007, at 1 P.M., in Washington DC, we will walk peacefully to the front of the White House.
· On April 26th, 2007, at 1 P.M., in New York City, we will walk peacefully to the Japanese Permanent Mission to the U.N.
· On April 26th, 2007, at 10 A.M., in Los Angeles, we will walk peacefully to the front of the Japanese Consulate.
· On April 26th, 2007, at 10 A.M., in Vancouver, we will walk peacefully to the front of the Japanese Consulate.
· On April 27th, 2007, at 1 A.M., in Tai Pei, we will walk peacefully to the front of the Japanese Embassy and hold a candle light vigil.
· On April 27th, 2007, at 1 A.M., in Beijing, we will walk peacefully to the front of the Japanese Embassy and hold a candle light vigil.
· On April 27th, 2007, at 1 A.M., in Manila, we will walk peacefully to the front of the Japanese Embassy and hold a candle light vigil.
· On April 27th, 2007, at 2 A.M., in Tokyo, we will walk peacefully to the front of the National Parliament and hold a candle light vigil.
· On April 27th, 2007, at 2 A.M., in Seoul, we will walk peacefully to the front of the Japanese Embassy and hold a candle light vigil.
· On April 26th, 2007, at 8 P.M., in London, we will walk peacefully to the Japanese Embassy and hold a candle light vigil.
Through DIGNITY WALK, we will come together with one voice to stand up for the dignity of the survivors and the dignity of girls and women everywhere who are victims of trafficking and sexual violence. We will bear witness to the women's testimonies for our peaceful future together.