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NEWS & LETTERS, July 2002
'Space' for protest
Kyoto, Japan—Over 100 women and men took to the
streets downtown here to hold a march for women and girls, and to ultimately
create a positive, safe women's space. The feeling was overwhelming upbeat with
laughter and dance, accompanied by girl-empowering music blaring into the
streets. It was the first women's march created by these women
and girls with the hopes of creating another in the future. They belong to
various groups, most claiming a feminist ideology. Women and a few men took the bullhorn as we marched,
condemning Japan's increase in pro-military actions—like the Yugi Hosei
Emergency Law—supporting the people of Palestine, condemning war and a law
that would segregate disabled people. The march was organized for women to express themselves
about their society, but with surprisingly little said on the state of Japanese
girls and women today. Before the
march the women and girls held a silent "Women in Black" vigil to show
their solidarity with the Palestinian people. We passed out flyers. Most people
did not take them but rather looked at us with utter curiosity or some even with
contempt. I was the only foreigner in the march. Over all, the event was successful and much more
creative then any other protest I have seen here. There was a great show of
women's solidarity. My hope is to see regular occurrences here of girls and
women speaking their minds and dancing in the streets. —Kind Lady |
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