Английская Википедия:Flower Demo
Шаблон:Use dmy dates Flower Demo (Шаблон:Lang-ja) is a Japanese social movement to protest 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, 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
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