Flower Demo
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Flower Demo is a Japanese social movement to protest against sex crimes and sexual violence.[1]
History
In March 2019, criticism against several court rulings in Japan came after the defendants of rape and quasi-rape charges were acquitted.[2] On social media, a feminist activist and author Minori Kitahara called for action.[3] Flower Demo's first events were held in Tokyo and Osaka Prefecture on 11 April 2019.[4] Kitahara did not plan to create a movement at that time, but hundreds of people attended these events and asked to tell their stories, which prompted her to call for another event.[3] Since then, the Flower Demo events have been held every month, mostly on the 11th.[5] In about a year, the movement has spread across the country.[6]
At the Flower Demo event, groups of sexual violence victims and their supporters gather in public spaces to "protest against unjust acquittals of sexual crimes and seek changes to the law."[3] Holding flowers as a symbol of solidarity for victims, participants listen to victims speak about their experiences.[7]
On 11 September 2019, journalist Shiori Itō attended one of the Flower Demo events in front of Tokyo Station and delivered a speech.[8] There, she put on the same clothes that she had been wearing at the time she was raped, stating, "I want to raise awareness that regardless of what clothes a person wears, it doesn't mean they have given sexual consent."[8]
On the International Women's Day of 8 March 2020, the Flower Demo events were held in 47 cities of 38 prefectures.[9]
References
- ^ "Editorial: Bold efforts needed to make Japan's new anti-sexual violence measures work". Mainichi Shimbun. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "Fight against sexual abuse in Japan gains strength". The Japan Times. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ a b c "Japan's Flower Demo movement takes aim at sexual violence". The Japan Times. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "Hundreds protest across Japan over acquittals of men in sex crimes". The Japan Times. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "性暴力は都会だけ？「地元でもある」フラワーデモで訴え". The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 12 February 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "「集まって話すと力になる」フラワーデモ、1年で全国に". The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 8 March 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "（フォーラム）性暴力根絶へ、花を手に". The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 8 March 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ a b "'What one wears doesn't imply sexual consent': Japanese journalist tells demo". Mainichi Shimbun. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "性暴力被害、守る社会へ 12回目のフラワーデモ". The Nikkei (in Japanese). 8 March 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
External links
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