Transcripts For SFGTV BOS Public Safety Committee 91715 20150928

To move our city forward. As a chinese america, with a daughter who is chinese and japaneseamerica who is 15yearold, i want our young folk and future generations to know the stories that are told in these chambers today and allow those stories and that spirit to transform them as well as we move forward with a history and with a passion for peace and justice like lee. I also wanted to say that many people spoke at a Board Meeting on tuesday. Lots of them, veteran leaders from many movements and i wanted to also say that from the inner face communities like rabbi doug to reverend brown, and to those they talked about how people may come from different nations and different communities and neighborhoods, but we all bleed the same in the same color, in the same way, and thats why i say lee, grandma lee brings us together, unifies our communities for a future without oppression of women and girls, a few of peace and justice for all. I wanted to also start by saying that i, as a chinese american have been an ali of japanesechinese communities. I wanted to say that grandma lee helps to bring together many of our communities. I wanted to start with a palm from one of my heroes, janice from 1981. Its from a book called breaking silence. And its a poem about three generations of women and girls, janice and her mother and her daughter, and its about breaking silences, you know, a fight for japaneseamerican redress and repriation and she talks about her mother gaining strength and spirit to speak out after generations like 40 plus years of silence. Janices poem, apart goes, we were made to believe our faces betrayed us. Our bodies were loud with yellow screaming flesh. Needing to be silenced behind barwwire. When you tell me i must limit my when you tell me my time is up, pride has kept my lips pinned by nail and my rage confined, but i exassume my pass. I kill the silence, there are miracles that happens, she said. And everything is made visible. Our language is beautiful. I think this captures the spirit of today, lee and the surviving 50 or more comfort women, homani as theyre respectfully referred to represents living history that can never be denied. Im hoping that we put to rest the right wing propaganda thats flooding from japan to infra trait japan leaders. I hope we pass this resolution as strongly as we can as a city so we say never again will this happen to anyone. We focus on the current and present issues as well, but we learn from the past and we make the past visible. We make the past visible. We make suffering visible. And we break the silence so that we, as San Francisco, can unite and help heal the wounds that have happened in the past. Were really honored to have ms. Young su lee with us. Shes courageous, shes a persevering survivor of the world war ii Japanese Army, so called comfort station. Her fighting spirit, emerges from the Womens Movements of korea and japan and the u. S. And where ever women and girls are, and it has been a fight across the pacific and here for over 20 years as well. Ms. Lee was born in 1928 near dabu korea. She was 15 or 16yearold when she was lured out of her home in the middle of the night by japanese or a soldier with a hat covering his face. She and her friend who was also lured were taken to a so called comfort station for a unit in japanese occupied taiwan. She returned after the war and lived in silence. She lived in silence until 1992 when she registered with a korean government as slavery. She thought what happened to her was isolated, but she realized so many women, well over 200,000 according to scholars over the world and she was subject to the same horrors she was subject to. Since then she has become a leader to demand an apology and government lee, grandma lee was the three survivors who testified here in the United States before the us congress, committee on Foreign Affairs, subcommittee on foreign affair in 2007. She embodies, courage and determination, and i think she brings that spirit to the Comfort Women Coalition within San Francisco and the bay area. I wanted to thank a few people before we allow a statement from the coalition or the Comfort Women Coalition and hear from lee and many other speakers from the community. I wanted to thank two particular judges who have helped to open my eyes and my heart. They have been advocating for a memorial, judges sing and julie tang helped me understand my own roots but how to open up our heart to korea americans, filipinoamericas and those harmed from the atrocity. I wanted to thank judges sing and tang and the rape mansion coalition. I wanted to thank the members of the coalition, i cant name everyone, but we do have a number of important visitors from outside of the San Francisco bay area. Kim has been tra mend us in building awareness throughout the state, and in many other places. She will not translating for lee. Also members of the asia america for peace and justice and the Japanese American Community and commission on the status of women, mr. Julie sue have helped to build abroad deep coalition well continue to build as we enact an memorial, but enact curriculum i am movement so theres materials for teachers so more young people are aware. But as we enact days of remembrance types of programs so we can commemorate and unite and bring people together around a common goal of peace and justice for everyone. I wanted to say we had emotional board of supervisors meeting on tuesday. And we had a 1 00 p. M. Press conference with the leaders of the Comfort Women Coalition today. So many of us are exhausted. Some have traveled from far to be here with us. But ill say that in our public testimony, they will bring this out. At this time, there are no set plans for the design or location of the memorial. We hope a task force will come together including members of the asianAmerican Community and the japaneseAmerican Community and Korean Community so we establish a memorial thats forward looking for the future. Well work through the comfort women human Rights Groups to construct an empowering, healing and peaceful memorial. This year marks the 75th or the 70th anniversary of the end of world war ii and the pacific war. During its 15 years of asian countries, unspeakable and well documented war crimes including mass rape, whole sale massacres, 15 years of asian countries, unspeakable and well documented war crimes including mass rape, whole sale massacres, torture and other atrocity were committed by the Japanese Army during the territories and the colonies within the pacific. Many of the comfort women have died without represent ragss and without an apology. The historical memory of the term oil and the pain. Its not just the women and girls, its their families, its whole generations as well, the pain and term oil endured by them must never be denied. I wanted to also acknowledge that as we move forward to the vote before the board of supervisors meeting, im meeting with many of the members of the coalition, but also others from the japan Town Community and japanese americans so we bring them in to help us design and make sure that the memorial is one that all of our communities can come together around. With that, i wanted to invite judge julie tang to give a short statement on behalf of the Comfort Women Coalition. Judge tang. Thank you very much for giving us this audience. Lets build a memorial to remember the comfort women. It has been braced by a multi ethic, multi Sexual Orientation of those who represent San Francisco. We call ourselves the Comfort Women Coalition. For the memorial, japan. The Japanese Military was solely responsible a comfort woman system. Mayor moto, subject our condemnation by the board of supervisors in 2013 set, comfort women was necessary to maintain discipline in the military. This justification and state of mind defiance and unrepentance and further war crimes committed by the military predominates over the japanese government mindset and its the engine for the policy of denial. By denying it, current japanese government continues to revictimize the women and girls, infuriating the girls. Theyre the most representative and the Largest Group of victims of Sexual Exploitation of women in modern history. The comfort women victimization is the modern day of sexual slavery. They need to be remembered not by word of mouth, but memorial to remember the evils that happened to girls grandma lee who came to give us for all comfort women, victims, deserve to know San Francisco is building a memorial for her and all other comfort women victim. This coalition is on the record of posing any amendments to the current resolution that will change the character and intent of the resolution. Thank you. Thank you, judge tang. [applause] speaker colleagues, i would like to open this up for Public Comment because we know theres so many people, we have to limit comments within two minutes. If theres translation, well do our best to be flexible, the first speaker is ms. Yung sue lee, grandma lee as we respectfully refer to her. Interpreter hello, everyone. My name is young sue lee. Im the living evidence of history. Thank you, everyone in San Francisco. Im not going to go into the details of my story because supervisor eric mar already talked to you about it. One thing i want to tell you clearly is we hate the crimes, but not the people. For the sake of our next generation and children and grand children, i think we need to teach them accurate history. I want to tell you the truth will come out no matter what. I want to tell the leaders of japan to change your mind. We, our generation, we are nearly the end of our lives. We are old people, actually in korea, there are only 47 survivors. And we dont have many people. They are dying off everyday. But i want to tell you, the japanese government, if you want if you are waiting for us to pass away, all of them, please change your mind. If you have your parents, think about it. These grandmothers are so sick. They cannot get up. They cannot talk clearly. But so before they all pass away, i want to urge you to resolve this, clearly as soon as possible in a peaceful manner. What youre doing is being seen by the whole world. Its being heard by the whole world. Please continue. Interpreter human being must be truthful. Interpreter i believe most of japans people are very conscious people, so i urge the japanese government to do the right thing, which is to teach the next generation the correct history and give the right education because i wish the children of korea and japan became friends because were neighboring countries. As an activist for human rights and womens rights, who is working for the human rights of all women i want to give this hope. As you can see me, i am here standing as the witness of the history. Why did i have to go through the electric torture, why did i have to go through the near death so many times because i refuse to go into the soldiers room. I almost died many times, but i survived. The government is the one who is lying. All im saying is the truth. I have never received any official apology, so i urge the japanese government to issue an official apology and reparation. I know that japanese government is spending a lot of money im not going to going into the details of it because you know about it, and all everybody in the world already knows about it. So i expect you to be able to resolve it, and i urge you to erect a memorial in San Francisco. Im so grateful for you because of the energy you gave me thats how i can stand here and talk to you. Thank you so much. [applause] colleagues, do you have any questions for grandma lee. [applause] thank you, lee, thank you grandmaly. Im going to call we have a huge list of speakers. Im going to do my best to get through this as quickly as i can. The first speaker is the founder of the inner face council. Next speaker is sandy morrie. Also Peter Yamamoto and judy, and ying lee kelly. Ill call names as they come up. If people can line up on the right side of the room. It doesnt have to be the order, but if your name is called, please come forward. Ms. Semal. Thank you supervisor mar, supervisor christianson and campos. I support the memorial to the comfort memorial for several reasons. Its important to remember so that we do not make the same mistake again. Or even more important, we make sure of that, by taking action to prevent reoccurrence. The traffic of women and children is a reality today, in india, the middle east and our country and our city. Im concerned what might happen when later this year, when thousands of those will come to San Francisco for the super bowl. There will be some who will take advantage of innocent women and girls. What are we doing to prevent that. This is more than symbolic, its evidence of our resolve to do all we can to prevent a reoccurrence of such activity. The commission on the status of women has recently done major work in this area. I hope it will continue that. It is up it is up to the rest of us to work with the commission and with you, members of the board of supervisors to make our city a shining example for the rest of the United States. And indeed for the world. Thank you very much. Thank you ms. Semal. Next speaker. Yeah, christianson told me its better if those can show appreciation by jazz hands or whatever theyre called so we can move through the meeting as quick as possible. My name is sandy morgan. I would like to read from the words of janice. She could not be here today. But she wanted me to deliver this message to all of you at this community meeting. This is janice speaking. I am and have been in support of the comfort Womens Movement for over two decades. A memorial sitting of its history as an atrocity of war by the Japanese Imperialist army. Who would not be supportive of this must moral. We cannot deny the reality of this atrocity, but i question a memorial being placed on public land in the subject of policy for San Francisco politicians. I also believe we cannot forget the holocaust history or the genocide of 6 million jews by the nazi party. Nor forget the us opening an era of nuclear warfare. Nor forget the atrocity of unlawful incarceration of 120,000 american citizens of japanese ancestry. Nor deny the racial, religious profiling, persecution and hatred against six muslims, eastern people, and middle asians of so basically shes asking why as a city of San Francisco named after saint francis, why are we not visionaries for a greater measure for peace, and for unconditional acceptance, diversity and racial unity. Shes asking you to consider amendments to the resolution that supervisor mar has created. Thank you. Thank you. As i said, please use jazz hands if you can. I wanted to thank the other cosponers of the resolution, supervisors campos and yee, and john avalos and kim and supervisor mark farrell for being the 8 supervisors supporting this resolution out of our 11 supervisors. Next speaker, mr. Yahamoto. My name is peter and im a 4th generation japaneseamerican born in San Francisco. I live in district 3. Im a voting citizen. Sometimes for no reason at all, but for a sense of love and justice, a man has got to do what he has to do. My opinion is my opinion alone. 200,000 women have been including japan, were coerced into being sex slaved until 1945 and were oppressed. I support the memorial as opposed by supervisor mar. I think apologies so the women wronged condolences from bondage and rape. I think it is a place of justice minded people everywhere to make comments on this issue of world war human sex trafficking and done a memorial on City Property is appropriate as sex trafficking is a problem in San Francisco as we speak. Freedom and justice of the americans can distinguish between the war crimes of Imperial Japan and the present day Japanese Community. In the view of the city, it was japanese backlash could be found. It is improper to say this backlash has happened or division has taken has been created. It has not. Its a myth. I stand in unity from korea, china, is the east asia and japan and several others and their justice for remembrance. Next. I called judith from the nations lawyer skill. And peace and justice and peace. Carol eto. Grace shameto, ji wang kung from redress. Rosalind, and mr. Sung king kang. Good morning, good afternoon, everyone. Why do we build memorials . The best memorials are built to remember, and to honor those who have gone before us. There are countless statutes and memorials in the city of San Francisco. Very few of them, very few of them are of women. Why do we want a memorial to the comfort women, so called comfort women . Is it because we dont want to talk about other atrocities . No. Its because we want to remember what happened to them. We want to remember the courage of these women, and the sacrifices that they made. People dont know this, but it was the breaking of the silence of the comfort women, over 20 years ago, that actually helped me, the International Community to declare rape during war as a crime against humanity. Do you know what that means . Rape during war has been thought to be not just normal, but a perk of men during warfare and these women, by breaking their shame, and breaking their silence, helped make that something different. We want to remember that. We want to remember them. We want them to have courage. We want to say as a city who introduced the cda, the first city in the United States, theyre breaking the silence. Help lead the beijing womens conference to make this. So, when we think about memorials, what better group of people, what better group of women could we make a memorial to, than these brave women that changed the course of history. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. Good afternoon supervisors mar, christianson and i was born when the japanese invaded. I remember the japanese bombs falling and people screaming. Theres a share of rape, torture and death and economic disaster. This was constant, invasion and raping and [inaudible] and torture until the adrenalin of the soldiers were discharged. We were blessed to come to this country before the end of the war world ii. I was in high school in november when my chemistry teacher brought a new girl to sit next to me. Later i realize she had been an internal champ. I was ignorant i turned my back on her and didnt acknowledge her presence. That lasted two days. Since then, ive educated myself about governments and war. Ive learned to separate the people from the military. Our military and work with peace workers from all over the world. Ive been to japan several times as an invited peace activist. A memorial to the comfort women, one group of victims of war should be available as daily reminders of the one of the many consequences in the world. A bench with a resting woman in quiet contemplation is an invited discussion by passer buyers. Who is she . What is a comfort women. What a curious term . Did they really do that . Why is she here . Why was there a war . Why did they do that to woman . Do they do that anymore. Why do we have wars . Thank you for introducing the resolution creating a sculptured to the so called comfort women, the sexual slaves used by the japanese mill terribly between 32 and 45. We need a humanistic reminder of the wars. Thank you, ms. Kelly. Christian, campos. Im here to support the existing recreation for a memorial with amendments ill submit to you that you probably have seen from supervisor wieners office to reduce the hatred, division, and racism, the current tone could create in our city of love and peace. Social justice should not be at the expense of another case, in this case, the japanese group. Women do not need to be can i ask where is the hatred in the language of the resolution. Ill explain. Women do not need to be memorialized as a victim and these war atrocities must be remembered. But such a memorial must educate and be impactful to make real changes in our city and in our country to reduce the source of Human Trafficking of women and kids, rapes in our college campuses, rapes in our own us military, and Domestic Violence she testified and in do respect to her, i think she brings peace and understanding with her message and i have to appreciate that because i truly feel the language in this resolution before you without amendment is very uncomfortable, very discerning for myself and theyll be other people stating other similar feeling. I think when you she stated for her translator and correct me if im wrong, that she no longer wants to be seen as a victim of comfort women, but an advocate for peace and understanding. This is an important message, i have to Pay Attention to you. To respond supervisor mar, i think the point i would like to make, youre not understanding how we feel. I cant do anything about that. I feel youve been dismissive of the japanese american voice. Im here to express that. I just want the public here to know and the media who is here, we will not be dismissed. Were a Small Community like the African American, were less than 10,000. Were not going to be dismissed. Commissioner eto, im trying to develop empathy for all and try to understand, i have seen the language of the amendments and some just under cut the spirit of what the Comfort Women Coalition have come up with. Wheres the hatred in the language of the resolution. I know it might make you feel uncomfortable, but i dont understand where theres hatred because its about unity and healing. It acknowledges historical fact. Youre not in my shoes, supervisor. How is it hatred . [inaudible]. I look forward to the ongoing dialogue. Next speaker. Sir, i think you have to wait until your name is called, okay. Next year, richard owl. I think ive already called kathleen, david from civil right and redress. Russ, and nance lee, and peace and justice, Jennifer Chung from the Chinese American Association of commerce, amaguchi from the San Francisco league chapter. Id like to thank supervisor mar, campus, christianson for the opportunity to speak on this critical issue. Were talking about a singular atrocity that is being trout in silence and covered. Once again, in the moments before, we see more of the same denial. The facts are the Imperial Army accountance listed comfortable women as perishable goods. Of the 200,000 scholars its estimated that 75 died in captivity. She were buried in mass braves. Weve noted its the original model of the modern day transnational industrial scale, sexual trafficking. Theres those who will deny what happened. They will tell you what every rapist tells you, it was they enjoyed it, others have done it too, why are you picking on me. Theres others who will say its divisive. I would say its meant to be. Its meant to divide those who are ethical and those who are not. Those of us who believe in truth and those of us who believe in self serving political exspeed znswer see. Those who believe in conscious and those with us with courage and conviction. I believe that its incumbent to reduce this where all cats are gray and everything is the same, but we need to make a clear stand and ethical statement. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. My name is grace. My support of the comfort Women Memorial rises from my own family and community. Im a japaneseamerican whose relative and friends were incarcerated during world war ii. Im the daughter of a japanese resident of peru who was kidnapped from his home and imprisoned in an internment camp. Some individuals in this area have voiced opposition to any attention to this historic experience, and the idea of a comfort Women Memorial itself. Others have expressed concern that the focus and the process of developing a memorial is not done carefully could inflame convicts and acknowledging the japanese could lead to japan bashing or racist attacks on japanese americans by guilt of association and local businesses and Community Organizations could be threatened with financial or political reprizals. I think many concerns are based on fear of dangers because of the firsthand experiences of our families and communities. Our only histories our own histories which no one wants repeated. We must take heed to these dangers and should they materialize, we must stand together to defend our rights. The comfort Women Memorial is an important opportunity to make connection with and among communities. Engaging in dialogue, deepening our understanding of our past and drawing lessons for the challenges we face today especially human traffics and Sexual Exploitation of women and children during times of war. We can open our minds, soften our hearts, be compassionate and hear and understand each other for the stake of all of our children. We can stand strong together. Thank you. Im going to call a few more names. Coechi, lee of the japan multi cultural relief fund. Yiki, and john car. Mutushimi and kako. Hi, supervisors mar, campos and christianson. I have a letter for the task force. Its the preservation of japan board. Im the jar of the Cultural Heritage committee and on the board. The issues and the resolutions, the controversy was raised in august, and the board took action to direct the issue to be exploited in japan Town Community. We reviewed the resolution, spoke to a few members who attended a meeting, checked in with local jcla and asked japanese and japaneseamerican members about their concern of the resolution. We made our recommendations made to the board. The task board passed a motion to formally request that the process of establishing a memorial be delayed and reviewed so that number one, proper outreach and education can be made to a japanese american and japan Town Community given a backlash will impact lives and a community. And key members of the be put into effect towards a minimal solution to draw all parties and neighborhoods together towards a peaceful resolution of this issue. In addition, its clear leaders in the Japanese Community have not been approached to work with the api community on the comfort Women Memorial issue, so thank you for your attention to this matter. Thank you. The next speaker is kathy from civil rights and redress. I joined nccrr as a young student in the 1980s, and leaders like kathy have led for redress and reparation for japanese people, but solidarity for other unities as well. Thank you, kathy. Im the cochair for civil rights in los angeles, and were founded in 1980 as a National Coalition for reparation of the chapter here in San Francisco where the goal of winning redress japanese ncr supported the comfort womens commands for an apology since the late 1990s. Its easy to understand why japaneseamericans if you look at our history, the incarceration, the camps by our over government the campaign of the 1980s. Im proud to say were apart of that, and eric is apart of that as well. Im proud of our community because we spoke up about the pain of the camps after four years of silence. Similar to the comfort women who bravely broke their silence after 70 years, im proud of how our Community Stood up to the nay sayers they called the camps a senior vacation. The comfort women speak to the truth to those who say they were will be participants and this never happened. Im proud of how our Community Came out to candle light vigils after 911 to say we wont tolerate we vow to never let it happen to another group of people. The Movement Made our Community Stronger because we reached out and educated others and gave support to native american and to anti movement. The redress it made our country stronger because it shows a government can admit a wrong and listen to the voices of the people and apology. And learn from its mistakes. As japanese americans, we can educate others about our history, and bring communities together, but supporting the comfort women. The japanese government can show the world its a strong country, that can listen to the voices of the comfort women, correct the wrong of the past and apologize. The apology in the 1980s was the most important thing to them because they felt that was most meaning. Even cono and the former Prime Minister have issued who issued apologies in the past says its not enough. They must apologize again. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. President kang. My name is kang. Im the president of the korean commerce csa. If [inaudible]. And sent to world war ii as a sex slave. How did you feel . If a kidnapper is still denying the truth of sex slavery torture, how would you feel . The young korean women and girls lost their young lives, and yet theyre a survivor they suffered terribly throughout their life. To this day, the japanese government has tried to [inaudible]. Theyre hiding this piece of truth from their own citizens and the world. But the history proves we should not forget. Just like [inaudible], torture by german during world war ii. However, german announced and made official to [inaudible]. We, as the Korean American Chamber of commerce truly believe electing the comfort woman. Memory in San Francisco in honor of the victim of world war ii. We dont believe it will treat them [inaudible] relationship between japan and the us. On the other hand, we opened acceptance and recognition of the history where we show the world that San Francisco is survivors and set a great example to the last of the nation that were not afraid of facing the truth. Dear supervisor, please support the resolution of electing the comfort Women Memorial in the beautiful city of San Francisco. Im going to call a few more names. Gwen kirk, wata, and alicia robinson, kaniko, and sako. Next speaker, commissioner al. Thank you, chairman mar, supervisor christianson and supervisor campos. Im a [inaudible] for peace. Im going to compare the i can s army and the Japanese Army. Some time in april 1951, i received my draft card. And i was sent to [inaudible] for the first processing. About ten days later, i was trained how to become a civilian to a us soldier. The korean war was armed. After four months of training, i was given ten days of leave and get on the ship from fort mason to japan, from japan, we take an ferry boat to korea. It takes 15 hours to the front line. And that night, for the first time getting into the [inaudible] and then the fire fight were continuous at nighttime. Daytime is very quiet. And after three days, we were taken to a comfort station. This comfort station is a shower with hundreds of with hot water, and we take off our dirty cloth and then take a shower. We are only allowed 10 minutes, and after that, we are issued a tooth brush and tooth paste and we clean our teeth and then we go to the next camp, have Fried Chicken dinner. Thats it. The us comfort station. And luckily we can have a haircut, but its a long wait and there are times that we stay over in our conversation over two or three days. [inaudible]. You know, we have memorial wrap up. We have a memorial in japan. A atomic bomb. Thats terrible. Please wrap up. Two more sentences. Japan and us are alike, and we Exchange Business and military thank you so much commissioner to. Next speaker. Thank you supervisor mar and christianson. My name is kathleen. And i have been involved in the San Franciscos International Community for almost 40 years. I cochair San Franciscos soccer sister association, but im hereof my own free will today. Im very concerned about the anti the underlining japanese sentiment in your proposed resolution as its written to establish a memorial to commemorate women who served as comfort women from japanese troops during world war ii. These acts of course were despicable, however, japan was not alone in having committing despicable atrocities that committed over 70 years ago. They signed treaty nations. Including one with the republic of korea. Payment and reparations have been made in good faith. China out of the 2. 5 billion that china do get in foreign aid every year, 1. 2 comes from japan. Continues to focus on the past, were trying to refuse to acknowledge the millions of its own people who were slaughtered during its cultural resolution and korea finds it difficult to face up to its own history, when during and before the korea war they were responsible for massacres with hundreds of thousands of civilians. It does not encourage harmony. It is important not to forget the wrongs that were committed on comfort women and others, but this proposed resolution that it is written is to provide communities in San Francisco and undo the harmony reflected why not focus on the resolution to create a lasting memorial to all women who have suffered as a result of war, and Human Trafficking which is continuing around the world ask and in San Francisco. Let us not but rather unite for the sake of our future generations and for the sake of the San Francisco bay areas cohesiveness and its economy. Thank you. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you. Next speaker. Jazz hands, please. Mr. Manacua. Thank you very much commissioners and supervisors. Im from los angeles california, my name is david. Im with the civil rights and redress and we fought for but today im here because i lived and worked in glen for 18 years and about a few blocks away from the statute in central park, and im here to tell you that these ridiculous accusations of japanese children being bullied by koreans is 100 false. And i say this not just by myself, but the Public Information officer at gren dale city hall, sergeant tom lawrence, hell complete validate that. He said please call him. Glendale Unified School District officials, absolutely false, and this horrible this was created she held a press conference in 2014 after she visited glendale and tried to suede people from doing a statute. Glendale had to live with this. This horrible this is a city, 200,000. About half the size of oakland. Japanese population is 0. 7 . Meaning theres about 1400 japanese total. Maybe 3 or 400 School Children who are japanese children. 60 is white. Its hard to pick out the people. And all throughout this campaign, it was dismissed by the judge. The plaintiffs they didnt live in glendale. He lives in Pacific Palisades and one who did live in glendale, i believe he passed away. She was 93. I dont know how on top of this lawsuit she was, but we believe her name was used. I say in conclusion, justice denied. Theres only 47 left. We cant waste anytime. We need to build these statutes while theyre alive. Each day people passed away, so please lets hurry it up and get it done and let justice be served. Speaker thank you from coming from glendale and los angeles as well. Thank you for your work in the us senate for so many years. Thank you supervisors. Thank you other supervisors for having this hearing. I want to thank the members of the Asian American communities that have stepped up to support supervisor mars efforts. I worked with feinstine. Since 1975, i have visited asia and i have been to japan, china, hung kong and in 2006, i joined the survivors from the comfort women group and supporters in front of the japanese to demand acknowledgement for sexual enslavement of women by the Japanese Military. They do this every wednesday. I just came back from japan, and i met mina again. Shes the secretary general of lamb. Womens activism on war and peace. This group was apart of the 2001 un tribune. He presented her a copy of your resolution. This was the first time she saw it. She shared with me she met with the executive director of the commission on the status of women in dc earlier this year, at her comfort women seminar. I personally know the local opponents. I thought they always advocated against social justice. Its off the white pages of Foreign Affairs on their during my 26 years with the senate, i know that if you speak or represent a foreign government, you need to register with the department of state agent. Youre honoring the survivor and their families for horror that was forced upon them in the prime of their young life 80 years ago. This month marks the 70 anniversary. The healing begins with this resolution. Thank you. Im going to call a few more names. Masa, helen from the asian women shelter, sheori, david ore. Next speaker. My name is michael wang. I was born and raised and live in San Francisco. In 2014, the New York Times reported, the government quote the government of Prime Ministeren ganled in an the Prime Minister engaged in an he ran Human Trafficking and coerced prostitution. In 2015, the japan times reported, quote, Prime Minister shinto government has budgeted, more than 500 million to get the word out about japan. Apart of this was global understanding and [inaudible] government positions on wartime history. Just as japans diplomates are embarrassing the nation by hearing on its textbooks, depiction of comfort women and territorial disputes. Janice in her september 3rd 2015 statement to the commission on the status of women did not dispute the truth of the comfort women were sexual slavery, but said, quote, we have received many protest and appeals from our sister city and other representatives in japan, but this monument would have a negative effect upon our relationships. Supervisors, i urge you to follow the money. If you follow the money, truth will prevail. Thank you. Thank you. A couple of other speakers. Melissa and tina have to go back to the Planning Commission and ill ask if they can come forward and if others in line could allow them to speak as soon as possible. Mr. Ding, thank you for the work with the thank you. My name is ding. Im the executive Vice President for the im here to thank you and support the establishment of the monument to remember the sexual slaves during world war ii. Originally i was planning to address the lies put out at the last hearing in july. And some people claim while theres no record they declassified it, and i went home and found plenty of records identifying issues. There are people on trail in manala after the war for the crime regarding women. Spreading lies doesnt take the truth away. However, i came across the news just a couple of days ago, then i decided im going to Say Something else. The Prime Minister of japan came to the United States in april, made a statement. Comfort women have Human Trafficking and he feels terrible about it. Our status of women made a statement to the press on august of 31, and address the issue. This is terrible. And also and the status director commissioner made a statement simply its slavery. And slaves have no idea what happened to them. I will callout today these people sitting on the commission, and the people spreading the lie along with them are basically hypocrites. With the video here, its going to be on the internet, theyre going to be judged globally with their behavior. They should remember that. They will be judged by history. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Ding. Next speaker. My name is nancy lee. Instead of speaking from myself, ill read a letter from karen in her absence. And this is karen speaking. Dear members of the San Francisco board of supervisors, im writing to give my support to the comfort women resolution before the San Francisco board of supervisors. It is the city to for a city like San Francisco to have a monument to commemorate a historical tragedy and injustice to human enslaved by the Japanese Army during the pacific war, 1937 to 1945. The Imperial Japan through its policy of institutionalizing the enslavement of 200,000 women of in the largest form of sexual trafficking in the last century. This chapter should not be forgotten. George says those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. My father [inaudible] should not be forgotten. George says those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. My father [inaudible] worked closely with japanese giant like dr. [inaudible], often known as the the golden hero and chinese american leaders like judge judy tang and yung to bring peace through justice by urging the japanese government to do the right thing. Thats for the government to apologize for the atrocities that the government inflicts on her Asian Americans during the world war. When they did that but were working towards peace to justice. I also now urge this body to do the right thing and vote to support the comfort women resolution. Thank you, ms. Ly. This is not only identifying a particular group of women who were victimized by the Japanese Military, but peace. Thank you, ms. Lee. The letter is in our packets, i believe, and if people dont know, karen, a tremendous letter herself, but her father was the noble cases and challenging the japanese he did a tremendous job. Next speaker. Good afternoon, im here to oppose the proposal to build the comfort Women Memorial. Particularly im concerned is the wording on the plaque that comes with statute. Its unfair to japanese and people having japanese heritage targeted in the name of human life in human traffic. We know there were comfort women during pacific war, korean war and vietnam war as well. They may be called different names such as comfort woman, wimble, western princess and more. I understand this is a sensitive issue, but there is no evidence for claiming that they were forcefully recruited and they worked as slaves. In addition, all please let her speak. Please let her finish, thank you. In addition, all issues starting occupation it was finalized in 1965 by the treaty on basic relations between japan and korea. I think its unethical to bring back issues that are once shared in treaty. If that needs to be discussed, it should be done by two countries, not here in the u. S. If a city [yelling] if the city wants to build a substituent tut for human rights we need to have hold on. We need to have order. Maam, please stop for a moment. Were not going to get through the hearing if we dont have the quorum. So please let the speaker speak, thank you. The second should present women in all nationalities and the words should be focused on human rights rather than accusing a specific country, and i think thats the american way. Thank you. Let me ask if people stop slap and stop yelling out during the session. Please have a since of principals and let the hearing go on. Next speaker. Thank you very much, mr. Mar. I think the i would like to convey is the comfort women stories generally propagated in this country, total reforce. Theyre not true. For example, 200,000 people, thats not true. Forcible recruitment, that was not true. And the sex slaves, that is not true. So a one example i would like to give today is that theres a book written by the [inaudible]. An apology in this San Francisco state university. She wrote a on comfort women. Then she deferred to the lady who spoke earlier. Young sue. Now, in the beginning, the first testimony she said was in the early morning, thats not what she said. Are you calling her a liar . Let me finish. Thats not what she said. Im saying what is written in this book, im not repeating what she said. Im telling you, please read this book. Then she was given a pair of shoes and red dress. She was [inaudible]. So that is what this says. Its written in this book. So a i excomfort women testimonies based on, say, a brief deniable. Now, general talk about this is this is for human rights. Some of the human rights proponents are showing this picture. This was taken in glendale. So i do not believe any of this kind of activity is promoting for womens human rights. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. The next speaker is lee. Thank you for building a support the resolution today. Its urgent because of the decedent from japan myself, i cannot attest to threats of comfort women being erased from existence. Ignorance is a weapon on false pride that japan fought the war. In october 2014, Japans National broadcaster issued a ban on any reference to non king and to the countrys use of sex slaves. In the new history text adopted by increasing number of School Districts including tokyo theres not one mention of japans war as that of aggression, nor a single mention of comfort women, nor massacre. In direct contradiction, the recommendations made by the treaty bodies including the Human Rights Committee in 2014. Committee on the elimination of discrimination on women and torture in 2013. Its important to recognize the anti Memorial Movement in the us will be in this whatever your reasons, if you dont support this memorial, make no mistake. It will be counted ads a victory nationalism is currently serving as the glue that binds the it must be chinese or korean or if youre really japanese, i would oppose. Theres false division amongst those all who wants grandmas rights United Nation for human rights in 2014, stated that the comfort women is human rights violation against these women continued to occur as long as their rights to justice and and we couldnt agree more. And articulated in this article by the east west center, were advocating for comfort Women Memorial and change. I would like to submit it for your reports. Jazz hands. Im going to call the next speaker, kai fisher, president of the chinese consulate david, shori and i called and the last one is professor grace yu from San Francisco state. Next speaker. Im taken down a japanese american. I have lived in San Francisco for nearly 40 years and i strongly oppose the issue of the memorial for comfort women in the city. This serves no purpose other than dividing of a community. Why mention Human Trafficking. We should include men, not women and girls alone. Theres a lot of men and documented who have been forced to work in horrible conditions. Why in the same logic, the board of supervisor has not initiated the resolution to the city should not engage in politics in asia. This [inaudible] perceived by many people, particularly in the Japanese Community as apart of a campaign to smear japan and its people. After the pacific war ended 17 years ago, they have played a constructive role in asia. This type of memorial has been focused it has been focused on us cities like fair fox and glendale in california leading to the [inaudible] of children whose only fall is having japanese heritage. We want to have a city of harmony, not the city of discord. Therefore, i respectfully ask for you to reject this resolution. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker, thank you for your leadership with the jccl in San Francisco. Thank you, supervisors for the opportunity to speak to you today. My name is judy. Im from the citizens league. Yesterday i learned how easily words can be sliced and read out the context. I also learned the repercussions of careless wording, and so begin, i would like to say for the record that the San Francisco chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League does not oppose a memorial to honor the comfort women. The members of our board unanimously voted to support. How could we not. Were volunteer activist who lead in human rights for all. We believe in education and in our communities. World war ii american concentration camps were built for the is 20,000 japanese and japanese americans without due process or guilt, our community was dispersed and imprisoned because japans action automatically made us enemies in america. And by the way, in 1970, this story was not included in our encyclopedias. 20 years ago when my son attended uc santa kruz in a class discussion about the concentration camp, several students challenged the idea that such a thing that occurred here in america. It never happened they said. On the other side of the other world, the people, the civilians, my step father, my uncle and my mother saw destruction and death in a flash. It creates a world of nightmares we cannot minimize the horrors that the women in comfort women suffered. We with not deny their unimaginable pain and suffering. We have stories to share as caution to the rest of the world. We are compelled to educate so future generations will read about the gruesomeness of war rather than experience it. Grandma lee is the strength and power of this spirit. Theres nothing that can replace her first voice. Please wrap up. Okay. Honorable supervisors, understand the power of words, words can shift us, bring us together or divide us. We ask that you consider the words and the language to assure a more compassionate hopeful world for us rather than to refresh the wounds and the agony and suffering of many. Grief will never go away, but we can remember and we do. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. Thank you. Im a victim from yoshima, so i know how she feels and i couldnt open to public where i come from. So many things have to be hidden because of the you are not supposed to get married. If you do, youre going inform have a deformed children or your children will be the Second Generation. Its going to be a bad health and everything else. I really had a hard time raising my children here. But fortunately i had a talk with my children, what is the what happened at the wartime. But still i could at this time i couldnt get how my brother died. So i know how they feel, but i always wondering where crime happens during the worst. Why is there so much spotlight on japan only. Thats something that i am trying to understand. I am not saying what japan did was okay, but just like the resolution states, it has the women has been victims and its solely remembered, the women. And the fingers pointed to just one country is not really addressing the issue to me. Its an issue that reminds us of how the women are mistreated throughout the world. Even today. Japan should not be the only nation continue to be in that spotlight regarding the issue. We really need to do more study and understanding not teaching the children hate. I usually go to the High School Students and talk about this, but i have never mentioned it how atrocity has been down. These things are not allowed to happen in the next future generation. Thank you. Thank you. I believe like the so called comfort women and the victims theres few survivors left. But thank you for coming today. Next speaker. My name is makawa and im opposed to establishing comfort Women Memorial. This issue has too many contra dukss, and theres no solid evidence. In the book, the comfort women written by professor of San Francisco state university, i show it here. Said korean comfort women, sue and her friends said that they were recruited by korean broker. Sue explained how she was pleased to receive a red dress and a pair of leather shoes from a korean recruiter, yet but that she was abducted by Japanese Military. She fought in front of the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs in 2007 putting on a performance of crying and screaming over an hour. This false testimony resulted inhouse resolution 121. Sue has a history of making false statement. Speaker please stop calling her a liar. Supporting side of comfort women staters is well funded. This is no longer an issue between japan and theyre using this issue to accuse japan, asian country and adding great material oil to city of San Francisco. We have to be careful who is getting all the benefits by spreading these publications. Please stop this comfort Women Memorial for the positive future of the United States. Thank you. My name is alicia. And i like to submit the petition against the statute of San Francisco. I was very concerned about this issue and i was not informed about it. The more i research and find out, both sides are passionate. I really sympathize with the people who suffered through the war. I come from the island of japan where the [inaudible]. Among all the japanese, we have lost so many people trying to understand the meaning of the war. My grandmothers and grandfathers i sympathy. In lieu of research, something doesnt make sense. Why does the code of justice do not have enough evidence to to force japan to make an apology. Why in 1965, the treaty between japan and china has been settled. Why in 20 years, this issue has come up. This is a propaganda. I dont think this is going to bring people together nor peace. I think its going to divide people. I think it has already been divided. It has just been concerned my heart goes out for those who have suffered, but i want do not be persuaded by justice, and in the name of human right, and going in the wrong direction. I think were going to the wrong direction. Take a look at this petition. All those people who say stop, stop, do not build the statute in San Francisco. Thank you very much. Next speaker. Were not going to get through the meeting if you keep clapping. Im opposed to establishing an comfort Women Memorial. Why is a frame of comfort women being there are enough materials to disburse such claim. These show the women were either sold by their own family or volunteered for economical gage. Its done by koreans and they are prosecuted for telling the truth. This public drama, display and claim is a propaganda. We are all sad and regret world war ii is not an exception, however, this is the reason we should not [inaudible] to divide communities for the gaining of hate. The second reason is to prevent this beautiful land of San Francisco from becoming a platform of controversy. Why bring argument of the country here. Why do we need to be used that way. Why not work towards peace and understanding. I believe through prosperity and understanding i believe in the Bright Future of San Francisco where people can live together peacefully. I ask, please do not build a symbol of comfort and [inaudible]. Speaker thank you, maam. Next speaker. Hi, supervisor. My name is pete. And i would like to start with the two Public Record by the United States government. There was no false abduction of a korean. The first one is this, at the end of the world war ii, a group of 20 korean prostitute were captured by us military force. [inaudible], apo 689, and interrogate. It was available at the National Archives and record administration. Us army report number 49. The second one is, Us Government, iwg report. Iwg is enter agency, working group deport. This one was created the discovery made in 2007. [inaudible]. When the korean allegation. As opposed to prostitution. Im telling you this korean was a force of the system by japanese government during the second world war. Its a and false. [inaudible] and the korean shop keepers as prostitution for safety. Please wrap up, sir. A couple more sentences. Korean [inaudible] was reclueded thank you so much, sir. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Please respect the line of speakers behind you. Thank you, next speaker. Thank you, sir. Next speaker. Im kamico. Building for comfort women. This is a this is united faith, and not apart of the public who are all over the world have to live together peacefully. This is the true this is the harmony among them. Also, this is a [inaudible] welcome, tour. Ist from all over the world. [inaudible]. This keeps them from coming back again. I urge everyone and the supervisors [inaudible] carefully and that you make [inaudible] judgment. Everyone outside of the United States will be watching you both carefully. Thank you. Thank you. Id like to ask if who could come forward to speak. She has to catch a plane quickly. Thank you. Speaker thank you for being here, ms. Hu. Thank you, supervisor eric mar, thank you supervisor christianson and campos. Im honored to be here today, and its truly a reflection of our process here. And so even though my own feelings are one way and there are other opposing, im glad to see the process. So the reason for me being here is i want to give you my heart felt support of this memorial and your resolution. The fact is ive been working with the victims for many, many years. I would say around 8 years. And late congressman lantos who was a champion of human rights, who was a victim of the holocaust and when he helped us pass a resolution in 2007, it was a that the United States is a light for the world, and even though there are it was an harmark for the world. We prevail. And the fact of the matter is, i personally got involved because my 17yearold daughter didnt know anything about comfort woman. When she came to me and she said, oh, my tutor said that theres something called the comfort women and the resolution has been brought up in congress six times and had not passed. And she was wondering why it did not. And so my husband and i got more involved with it, and realized that we needed more information, so we did our research, and we called our congressman and we speak to congress hahn and lantos and congresswoman nancy, and what they realized, this is an american issue. This is not a japankorea issue. Its a human rights issue. Its a womens issue, and its a justice issue, and its doing the right thing. Doing the right thing for our children. So they understand history, they understand what is truthful. They understand that when we hurt somebody that we make it right. We apologize, we do the right thing. So thank you for doing the right thing. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Please dont clap. Next speaker. Good afternoon, my name is gwen cook. Im a teacher and scholar of im a member of a good an International Network that links scholars and activist across the pacific region. Ive heard Academic Research and testimony about comfort women in sole, guam and the philippines. I think the historical record is unequivocal that these women were coerced into a system of organized, state sponsored sexual process. Some people have spoke today. I dont want to be labor it. I think the nick picking going around that is not helpful. The fact that some survived this system and have become courageous activist like lee is a remarkable testimony to their spirit. This happened a long time ago. Why dont we move on and forget about it. As many people here have already said, theyve lived through various atrocities and disasters. War doesnt end with a date on the calendar. It lives on in the pain, the bitterness, the fear, and the sorrow that people carry in their heart and their bodies. Trauma experts dr. Judith tells us that healing requires acknowledgement and apology. No one just moves on. So i believe that the comfort women statute actually has the capacity to provide that kind of healing. And i endorse that article that neho passed to you from the university of hawaii. Since japan continues to deny full responsibility, its censoring its important to make sure that comfort women are remembered with Accurate Accounts of what they endured. Thank you. Speaker thank you, ms. Kirk. Next speaker. Ms. Chung. Good afternoon, supervisors. My name is chung. Before i make my speech, i would like to speak to the audience, that grandma lee is already a victim. Please do not hurt her one more time. Should be shameful of yourself. Here, i would like to, on behalf of everyone here, i want to say im sorry grandma lee, please forgive them. On behalf of of the chinese american along with 65 local chinese organizations in San Francisco, the house signed a petition. Were in full support of the resolution to erect a memorial for the former sex slaved, so called comfort women during world war ii. Hundreds of thousands of young korean, chinese, filipino, indonesian and girls were forced into sex slavery by the order of Japanese Military during world war ii. We should not accept anymore, anyone or any country on their wrong doing and we should not allow such act to get away from justice. This young victim women and girls are all in their 80s and 90s now. Theyre one of the most fragile groups, physically, mentally, and financially. They have to way to battle with japanese government. Simply just ask for an apology. I want to show pictures. I got this from the newspaper. This is channel 26. Shes visited by a hung kong organization. Shes 88yearold. Comfort woman. And shes 91yearold comfort woman. This is 80something year old comfort women. All these are the evidence. So i want to leave this picture to you to think. Speaker please wrap up, ms. Chung. If we dont care for the fragile comfort women, then well die with sadness and sorry. How can we allow this cold heart action to be forgotten. Who can help them for their justice. I bring out these questions. Let us think, how we can prevent this from happening again. We should learn from history and our mistake. Thank you. It could make it ignoring it can make it worse. Please wrap up quickly. Two more sentences. Right now, out of 200,000 comfort women, theres hundreds surviving. Supervisors, youre the leader of the community that residents are looking up on. You can help these fragile survivors to get their voice out and educate those who are not educated properly. Show the truth. I urge you to do the right thing by supporting comfort Women Memorial. You can tell the nation that. San francisco is the leading community to stay on top of human right and social justice. Thank you, supervisors. Speaker thank you, ms. Chung. I see commissioner ed, shoko. Hagan from the sole Sister Committee and wesley from San Francisco state professor at winton. Next speaker. Speaker thank you for this opportunity. Im from dock university in japan. My grandfather is a survivor of the atomic bomb 17 years ago. Im going to share my perspective as a grand daughter and as a first of all, i support this resolution which is of supervisor eric stated to honor the women who are coerced into sexual slavery during world war ii. I think the comfort Women Memorial will help us remember we must not be repeat history again. 17 years has passed since the end of the war. My grandfather and Second Generation father i wont forget about this comfort women. Its about victims of atomic bomb because we dont ever want either of those things to happen again to anyone else. We have to remember that the victims were ordinary people. Not the people who have power and authority, and control the country, its people and the war. [inaudible] for Prime Minister. I know that as a grand daughter of hibischi, the important thing is to learn from the pass, but this is not possible if we are restricted by only one way of thought, nationalism. If you dont establish the memorial in the city of San Francisco, i fear that you support the hiding of attack. Me and my father and other people who [inaudible], it seems this city doesnt want to seek peace with us. I believe this resolution has the power to lead to peace in the future by helping us people and the city remember the history of the victims. Thank you so much. Im going to start to be more enforcing of the time limits or else were going to be here through the night. Next speaker, sir. Im from japan. I would like to talk about historical truth. Speaker did i call your name, sir, on the list. Yes. You called me, you can check. Please think about kidnapping 200,000 girls. If a mass kidnap took place in the bay area at the same ratio to population to the korean case, 70,000 girls would be kidnapped. Could you imagine if bay area 70,000 girls were kidnapped by the japanese. Riot after riot for sure. But in korea, nothing happened. No riot, no up rising. Were almost all [inaudible] koreans. No riot in the japanese troops. We have thousands of koreans and they must have witnessed the korean sex slaves. They used to believe 200,000 girls were kidnapped for sex slavery. There are 2 vital counter evidences. Us army reports 49 states. The comfort women were extremely well paid prostitutes who were earning much more than the japanese generals, enjoying picnics, sending money to their homes and having freedom to recuse their customers. It includes there is no evidence that the comfort women were kidnapped sex slaves. With these evidence we have evidence here, but i respect your position, but its really hard to sit here and listen to you. These evidences are available to pass the proposed bill, the vote is obligated to officially refute these two investigations. Thank you so much, sir. One more sentence. Okay. You dont make this great city a vehicle for anti japan propaganda and disguise and target of contempt by the whole world about the truth speaker thank you, sir. Thank you very much. Next speaker. Next speaker. Good afternoon, brothers and sister of San Francisco. I have heart felt compassion for the chinese, korean women who have suffered as comfort women for japanese soldiers during world war ii and for all the women all over the world who have suffered abuse and violence at the hands of men. For many reasons, im against the public monument commemorating a war crime including the proposed project. First, war crimes are best resolved in courts of law, and im not familiar with the case here, how much is in evidence of what is truth. But i want to believe grandmother, and i want to up lift women, so im here to speak. Second, that was the first reason, that war crimes are best resolved in courts of law. We might be needed with other such projects such as the killing fields in cambodia and so on. This would then make the city a museum of war crimes. Next, such a monument would fan the flames amongst Asian Americans. The proposed project would cause divisions and not unity. Old injustices and injuries would i can feel the vibrations right now that they are. Abuse and by encouraging love, and respect. Public art should up lift us. We want San Francisco to continue to be the city of peace and beauty. San francisco is the birth place and the home of the United Nations. Let us work for unity and i wanted to say that there are many institutions that could address these crimes and these difficulties including the the asian women shelter and many other womens organizations reethd here in San Francisco. Speaker thank you maam. And let me finish by quoting something im going to be really strict. Your time is up. Lets go to the next speaker. Thank you. Next speaker. Good afternoon, eric mar. I voted for you, im in your district. Speaker thank you. Supervisor christianson, campos. I dont get to speak very often because im not a good speaker but i was born in 1939 and i was a toddler when the tow joe was given speeches on the radio, and i was curious. In 1950s, my classmate invited me to his home, and his grandmother only spoke to him in japanese. So he would learn it. And so we had a 3way conversation. And when i came to berkeley, my neighbor was a japanese trained interpreter and veteran of the alusion islands and the battle of ockanwa. He went to the island with his team to keep the grandmothers from jumping from the caves with their children and committing suicide. I had the wonderful opportunity to teach in japan for 7 years english and while i was there, i entertained my friend from america who had gotten in the battle of and i like john, i really dont care much for statutes in the park and when they go up, theres a lot of fanfare and Ribbon Cutting and everybody walks away, and let the greenery takes off. Thats what happens to statutes. I would support a statute for the comfort women if there were please wrap up. If there was a resolution of all these differences and if the statute wasnt too big. I mean, for the previous speaker really covered quite a bit. Thank you. They really appreciate it. Thank you for your testimony. Next speaker. My name is [inaudible] and im here to support the memory of the comfort women. Im an immigrant and historian working at uc berkeley. Im a japanese citizen with both korean and japanese ancestors. Were at the critical moment when Prime Minister ada and japanese nationalist are demanding and denying the historical fact of the sexual slaveries. Now theyre working on raising its history together especially from textbooks in japan and here in the United States. Two years ago, mayor, the sister city of San Francisco stated that comfort women system was necessary. And he has absolutely no shame to say in the same breath that he cares about dignity of the survivors. One of my grandfather was a japanese general during the war and he was never tried at the end of the war. Almost like all other japanese were criminals. I benefited while the survivors of the sexual slavery suffered with no normal apology or support from the state. It has been 17 long years since the end of the war. Japanese government has let most survivors pass our way without seeing justice. That is a continued state sanction violence against all the survive erz. Why does grandma lee have to travel all the way from korea to give testimony today. For all the grandmothers remind me of my own grandmother on the korean side of my family. We failed to restore dignity of the survivors yet again unless we build a memorial memorializing those. Its when japanese government makes a full apology that the memorial for comfort women in San Francisco will take on a universal symbol. Thank you. Thank you. Im calling a few more names. Kate, sako, dr. Rachel, maryland fowler, andrew. And dr. David moon and martha. Thank you. I mean, i want to apologize to grandma lee for the insults that shes faced here today. And these are the insults saying shes a liar. That she wanted to be a prostitute for the Japanese Military. Im not coming from the individuals who make them, theyre come from the japanese government. The japanese government are telling these people they were not comfort women. Thats what theyre saying. And today as we meet to discuss these issues, theres tens of thousands of people marching in tokyo against a bill to militarize the bill. How is it going to benefit the people of asia and japan who have gone through wars that have left millions dead. We have a responsibility to have a memorial. Im not just for a memorial for the comfort women. We need a memorial for those who died as a result of us bombing. That was a crime against the people of japan. We have a responsibility here to oppose militarizationzation militarization. And get rid of a clause allowing for war. We need to stop militarization and we need to educate those of this country, particularly those from ethic communities. We dont want militarization of asia. We look at this memorial for the comfort women as a connection to the danger to another war in asia. We need to stop further war in asia and the tax on working people all over the world. Thank you. Speaker next speaker. Please dont clap. Good afternoon, my name is melissa. Were members of the a filipinos Women Association apart of an International Appliance around the world. We support this resolution. In 2008 and 2014, i was able i had the opportunity to meet comfort women survivors in the philippines under the organization le la philippina. We spent the day with them when they talked about what happened. That reminded me as a mother and human rights that we cannot allow their stories to be forgotten, and that this should never whats happened to these women and children should never happen again in wars of aggression. And we support some past speakers speaking about women and children being the first to be impacted in wars of aggression. This is impact about foreign powers still trying to encroach on the land. This is displacement from the country itself, and human rights violation includes they increase Sexual Violence of women and children that escaped sponsored. And also to mention Human Trafficking. This is not an attack on the Japanese Community. This is fighting for justice and learning from history. If we dont put this memorial up or even acknowledge that this is an experience that hundreds of thousands of women have experienced, what are we telling our future, and telling our young daughters of today. That its okay. Is it okay for people to experience Sexual Violence as casualties of war. This is really a lesson for all of us in this community to learn from our history and until these wars of aggressions are over, and we are here today in full support of this memorial going up to acknowledge and respect the women who have experienced this terrible experience they did in world war ii. Thank you, and thank you to gabriella. I want to say from the filipinos Women Network couldnt be here. Im going to call a few more names. Oshima. Thank you for being here, mr. Kinchi. Thank you for holding this hearing and thank you for starting a discussion that i for one dont believe that resolutions or memorials kill rifts that are as painful as this one is. I do believe they provide an opportunity for discussion. They provide an opportunity for us to learn about wrongs that were done to people. And an opportunity to start that discussion so that things can heal. I just wanted i had the good fortune when i was living in japan for ten years and i lived in in 1970 is when i went to the peace park in harashema. There was no memorial inside of the park for the about 10 of the 200,000 killed by us dropping an abomb in the peace park. In 1970, koreans built a memorial, but they werent allowed to put it in the park. It was forced to be apart this river outside the park. But due to the good work of progressive japanese, and koreans in japan, some 30years later that was corrected. There was discussion, and there was a decision to put that memorial inside the park in 1999. So we need that kind of discussion if were going to heal these rifts. I think having a memorial will help us with that discussion and i applaud those for supporting it. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. Thank you, im a resident in San Francisco and social worker. I oppose the proposal to comfort women statute in San Francisco. Also i declare our japanese and japaneseamerican or american that none of us are rightwing or nationalist. We are simply living here citizens of San Francisco. Some people are using word trying to break down japanese nations. Comfort women statute in San Francisco is digging into almost why are we attacking japan. Why not germany. The board of supervisors coming all the way from korea, please listen. In 1965, japanese government opposes in the treaty between japan and south korea. Japan [inaudible], 800 million to south korea including compensation for comfort woman. So peace there. Board of supervisor, if youre concerned, San Francisco citizens, please stand up for america like australia did. San francisco have people coming from all over the world. If you want to build a statute, please build a peace statute. Lets show our children and the groups in the nation to hold the hands together and staying peace and harmony. Thank you. Speaker thank you, maam. Next speaker. Good afternoon, my name is david sand. A long time resident of San Francisco. A retired architect who is always respectful of the past and concern for the present and future of our wonderful city. I oppose the comfort woman statute. I urge the mayor, board of supervisors and other city administrators to be more concerned about the citys social and economic problems such as crime, homelessness, rising cost, and other pressing issues. The construction of a statute to commemorate the comfort Woman Associated with world war ii is proposed by a few groups does not address the stories of comfort woman around the world. Building such a statute in San Francisco or any other place sends a wrong message to our diversified wonderful community. It appears the statute is built in other cities have created more disharmony and term oil rather than wide acceptance. I strongly request the board of supervisors to reject the proposal to build this statute in San Francisco. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Im going to call a few more names. Catherine kim. Frank lee, chang, marico peek. Next speaker. Okay. My name is mike. This is an argument against comfort woman statute. This is rebuttal to the proposal of the idea that comfort women were forced into prostitution is a false narrative and its being used as a tool to put a crack in the Japan Alliance and gain control over stra over strategic areas. This is a human right issue, i urge i rely on two primary sources to prove my case. One is a book, comfort women by San Francisco state professor of antropology and another one written professor soto interviewed the women involved in this sex industry in their own language during her research. 9 korean women were listed at interview by professor so. Pages 79 to 106 in her book. He said they were sold by their family or recruited by korean broker. When interviewed, there were kidnapped by japanese soldiers with rifles. In more years, women were recruited. As evidence by multiple report and newspaper articles, theres an agenda by north korea and south korea for their own geo political gain. I represent a projected comfort Women Memorial be abandoned. The truth will always emerge eventually. Thank you so much, sir. Any questions . Next speaker. Okay. Good afternoon, my name is fisher and for identification purposes only, im a professor at San Francisco state university. Im speaking as a private citizen, and as the cofounder and coordinator owe oaf im im speaking my mothers parents have made japan their home. We have five generations of our family in japan and consider the country our home. When i first learned about the comfort women experience, that hundreds and thousands of women from korea, china, the philippines and japanese women as well, some as young as 12 or 13 were tricked and coerced into a form of sexual slavery, it was not until i was in college, i was shocked and saddened but i was inspired by the narrative of the courageous survivors of this atrocity like grandma lee. It sparked my interest in the anti war and peace war that ive dedicated the last 15 years of my life to. This memorial is a symbol of this necessary work towards peace and justice that must happen here locally in San Francisco and globally as well. Especially in japan where my family lives. As a jewish american, i visited concentration camps, as a japanese resident, i visited both herashima museum both when i was young. I know firsthand the power these memorials have on the younger generation. This memorial commemorating the mass sexual enslavement from women from ten different nationalities just as the avon memorials did, we need this statute to teach our coming generations about the horrors of war so such atrocities cannot be repeated. Thank you. Thank you. The next speaker is the president of the chinese consolidated association, the chinese familys association. Thank you for being here president ma. Thank you. Interpreter my name is ming. Im a [inaudible]. President of the ning young association. And president of the chinese six company. I represent both the association in making my presentation today. I appreciate the response to different opinions. I went through the war, the second war when it began and ended. Im 87yearold. I suffered the pain and agony of war. War brought me tremendous suffering. Im so fortunate to have heard personal experience from [inaudible]. This is life testimony. This is real testimony. The best you can have. But i just heard somebody says shes a volunteered prostitute. This is outrageous. They should be ashamed it talk like that about a woman in the public who suffered. I dont have to speak anymore. Enough has been said. On the issue of comfort women, the japanese must apologize. Those of us in San Francisco are urging the supervisors to build a memorial in commemoration of the comfort woman. Our community is united behind this. And hopes that the government will seriously consider this proposal and approve it as soon as possible. This is not anti japan or anti japanese. We wanted to focus on peace. We dont want war. War creates suffering. And destroys happiness for the people. Thats what im trying to say. We insist on supporting the resolution. Thank you very much. Thank you president ma. I want to thank christensen. Thank you for coming to city hall to speak today. The next speaker is professor grace yu. Speaker i want to say thank you to the board of supervisors, but i want to thank halmaney. Thank you for your presence here. For identification purposes, my name is grace. Im a professor at San Francisco state university, but im speaking in my capacity as a private citizen. Im also speaking because im the grand daughter of a grandmother my grandmother immigrated to the United States at 55yearold. My grandmother would be 96 years old. My grandmother lives through migration and the korean cut war, but she bare witness to the trauma that many in her generation experiences when the soldiers would come and take young girls. She would say many women married in her generation because marriage meant protection. For my experiences on teaching Asian American studies for the last 20 years, i come way that Asian Americans are impacted inter generationally by this history. Its not a history that one can erase by immigrating to United States. In fact, when i lecture on the history of comfort woman, my students are mortified. Often this is the first time theyve heard of this traumatic historical event. They some times ask me how come ive never heard of this. At times, ive encountered students who have said, could you talk a little bit more about this history some more. I dont know much, but i think somehow my grandma or my grandpa witnessed this or may have had a female relative or friend that experienced this. Sir, we cannot erase history we cannot erase what happened over 70 years ago, but we have the power now through this memorial to bring voice to those who were enslaved and voiceless. This educates generations about the past and provide hope that sexual slavery of women and girls may end in our lifetime. Thank you. And it feels hatred. We stand in front of you. Many were not prefby to your intentions of this resolution or this memorial statute. We didnt have the opportunity to dialogue with you or even to give you feedback with this. For the last two and a half hours, weve been going through a process and i appreciate the process that some of us can stand up here and represent ourselves as members of the japaneseAmerican Community, and supervisor mar, some and myself we stand in front of you in terms of a concerned citizen, in terms of the ramification. Did you say the righteoUs Government of japan. Not the right gs. Speaker we feel retribution for this resolution in interpreters of the mean spirited language that has the dialogue, not denying history, but i wanted to give you an example of hatred by presented this letter that came to me at my work place. Its written to me in my work place. The newspaper article, i cant read it. Please summarize if you can. This article is written in chinese. I cant read chinese so i dont know what it says, but clearly in english, it makes reference and again, we in this room have differences, and it says basically it says better kill him. Again, myself, and the congressman are good friends, we happen to be on the opposite sides of this particular issue. But this is an example in terms of your question of that resolution, it feels hatred and what is mean spirited in the resolution. Its really entrapped as a positive, forward looking resolution thats trying to bring about peace and justice. Yes, supervisor, as we met in your office and as you dialogued that, that is your intention, and again, were not trying to argue that. Its just that im a member, but many members of this community that live and work in the community, and part of your intentions is not what we feel. We feel its a backlash of antisemitism. We used to concept Gold Mountain that those of asia could come to San Francisco despite the atrocities that occurred within their countries and seek a new place here. This kind of a resolution without our input doesnt work within that spirit. Thats the mean spiritedness. Thats the deviciness. You dont live in japan town. You do know that congressman honda written a letter strongly supporting the resolution and the memorial and you do know that my daughter is chinese and japanese american and i and she are apart of Japanese Community through institutions i would not want to see any negative impacts on japanese americans. The resolution is not about japanese americans or japanese people as lee said. Its about justice for a historic wrong done and how we move forward as a city unified everyone on that message of peace ask justice. Im not debating that question. Im talking about the ram ramification. You use a cultural tactic of shame. Youre shaming us in terms of the atrocity that occurred some 70 years ago. Youre going to blame us for the sins of our for fathers. It has nothing to do with japanese people. How about the incarceration that we still fail today. How about the atrocity the atrocities of nocwasochi. Im telling you the real life ramifications of this resolution as it occurs. Its not fair to the Japanese American Community and members of japan who wants to be apart of this fair city. What happened to inviting Gold Mountain in terms of our api to come to the city of San Francisco and work and strive for peace and harmony. Theres many japanese americans thats involved with our coalition and we from july of the introduction have invited you and many others to participate, but thank you for testifying. For the record, im here as a private center, not as a citizen of San Francisco. My name is lee. Im a president of the korean association. I wasnt going to speak anything, but i thought, boy, this is just like the wrong information is out there especially for the japanese people thats here. If japan apologize to korea, why are we doing this. Do you think we like to waste or time. Please speak to the committee. Theyre saying, theyre angry about the comfort woman issue. Japanese never apologized. I think you guys have incorrect information. My daughter inlaw is japanese. I have half japanese grand daughter. Im not bashing japanese. Im sharing this information to the College Students saying that war is not a conflict. I have no history because my family came from monchu. We lost everything. I dont even have wedding picture of my mom or i dont know what my father looks like. Im telling them war is not an answer to conflict. However, this is what happened to the korean comfort woman. You do not bash woman. And the second thing is that woman has power. Look at how whats happening in the middle east. So that is the reason that we need to tell them, the woman has power. They need the power to generate their father, their husband, especially educate the next generation, their children. So woman, they need to tell this story. So that is the reason that im for the statute. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. Good afternoon, my name is rachel. First i would like to thank grandma lee for coming and i hope that i can continue in your legacy and continue as an activist. You inspire me. Im in support of the resolution to create a memorial because no one some be enslaved by their government with impute. I want to say that black lives matter and i say this because its powerful and it has changed the narrative that we think and talk about race in this country. And were looking at directly in the denial of racism in this country. And we dont apologize, we dont provide reparations and we have tremendous denial in this country. Every nine seconds a woman is beaten. We allow this to happen in this country. We have tremendous denial in our own country. Lets just start there. I think that this statute, this memorial, this entire process will open up our ability to deal with the past, and thats really important right now, to say our mistakes so we can understand the present. If we have a voice of the past, its a sign, a continued sign of our historical lack of historical consciousness. The truth is, its obscured by historic facts. It runs deep in our society and the current rice of fascism in our own country is evident. I look as an american jew who have lost a ton of my family in the holocaust, i dont think having a comfort woman just keep going. Have a statutes for africans and African American slaves and for women. That weary vofled were evolved. Thank you very much. Keep going. Thank you. Next speaker. Good afternoon, my name is joe. Im a native San Francisco an. And i live in district number 7. Im privileged to read a letter from michael m. Honda. Member of congress, 17th district, california. House of representatives. Board of supervisors, thank you for your support of human rights both in San Francisco and worldwide. Im grateful for the boards leadership and calling for justice for comfort women in San Francisco. I write to strongly support the resolution to establish a resolution for comfort women. This will honor the courage of the 200,000 women whose youth and innocence was taken away when they were forced into sexual enslavement. Human trafficking is not a historical issue, its a modern day human rights issue. This will denounce the human act but serve as an action against sexual slavery. I know the importance of teaching our next generation in a clear and unflinching manner. The lessons we learn over history. Human trafficking is a sad reality of our society in our own backyards. 40 of Human Trafficking enter on the bay area. We must learn from them so we might eradicate this. 5 in taiwan and a hand full of others across the asian and pacific region. Its a this memorial is a symbol of a call of peace. These and yet tirelessly fight there their long overdue justice. They fight for their sisters who have passed away, for their lost youth so honors will never be repeated. Thank you for your commitment to human rights. Speaker thank you, mr. Thomas and thank you to congresswoman mike honda. This is down to the bottom of the list. Mike lee and jeremy. Grace morris from the United Methodist church. If theres anybody else who would like to speak, please fill out a form. I oppose it. We the japanese women who have three daughters. With this big voice, [inaudible] was playing outside. What happens if this is created. In San Francisco, there was a hate crime against the community on september 7th this month. Supervisor [inaudible] said, in a statement, we respect our visitors especially based on insanity. Its not and will not be interrogated. Hate crimes against any community will not be created. Those are beautiful statements. And those are for grafting. No more chinese. Is it different from comfort women to japanese i was born and raised in china. The first is the argument that im in favor of this resolution, but the argument that why only have a monument to comfort women. Why not a monument to all victims of human sexual slavery. I understand the settlement. That would be great, but id like to point out that i dont like to call people out. Calling for a monument for all the human rights of all which is a good idea, but the problem is here at this moment, is im not sure if people understand comfort women as equally. Ive heard people call them liars and prostitutes and propaganda. It seems as though people arent seeing them we have a comfort woman here, but were not seeing her as a human, equal human. Thats think first point. Ive worked in the japaneseAmerican Community for 20 years trying to bring people together, but this is an opportune time. [inaudible]. This is a great time for us to open our hearts. I would like to invite japanese speaker as well. Thank you, next speaker. Thank you. Thank you supervisor march. I want to commend you for your Opening Statement i and especially hope thats on record. The world is watching us on this. And the womens Cultural Network, im representing we support the San Francisco city county board of supervisors resolution to me moral the victims and survivors of the Japanese Imperial armed forces, comfort forces without amendment. Im sorry if there was confusion. The womens Cultural Network has been working 20 years out of San Francisco to bring women from the different cultures together on common issues and we see this as an opportunity for that, so you have a copy of our letter on record, supporting this resolution and supporting the memorial. Ill be brief. We believe your proposal can be an important concrete step forward to recognize the atrocities that comfort women endured and ensures such violence against violence never happens again anywhere and the memorial is significant because it can be living testimony that violence against women and girls cannot and will not be ignored no matter where, when or how long. Thank you very much for this opportunity. I neglected to call other names. I dont think i called judge lillian and phyllis. Speaker before i make a comment. Im crying in my heart whenever i see grandma lee heart [inaudible]. I would like to express my gratitude for all your contributions and i ask you to support a resolution as a simple reason that we were of a city and county of San Francisco. Our korean americans sit here in the chamber of commerce continuously increasing in tong. They are [inaudible] and more [inaudible] that japan whos have lived. Most korean seniors are residing in senior apartment. Now they have more including japa [inaudible]. Theyre continuously increasing including japan town, including [inaudible] street. The reason i mention this is we have no [inaudible]. Any enemy relationships and both communities are living together against competitions. Speaker please wrap up quickly. If we both can recognize the power of love, peace, and forgiveness and recognition. They can be more safer. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much, sir. Thank you. Lets have the next speaker. Thank you very much, next speaker. Speaker good afternoon, my name is semi. I am sorely against building a comfort woman statute in San Francisco. Most importantly i question whether this issue is based on our history. San francisco is a place for a Different Group joined together and build a diverse and friendly community. The establishment of the statute could cause termoil as it did in fairfax and glendale. Research done by the u. S. Government also known as the iwg [inaudible]. Did despite research and spending 30 million, theres no documents found on the comfort woman issue. The comfort woman issue is under a sensitive subject. Please do not create this in San Francisco. Its appropriate for this community to introduce [inaudible] despite into the city. We should aim to build a Stronger Community and Work Together. This hatred and violence between its people. Thank you. Thank you, maam. Next speaker. I ask people please do not clap. Good afternoon. My name is mio. And i have been a resident of San Francisco for 40 years. I strongly oppose comfort woman in San Francisco. The research is done by the Us Government and the bush administration. Also known as the ie despite spending 30 million for research. It has read to the children whose parents are japanese american. It could bring hatred into a community. Different ethnic groups should join together. We should focus on building a Better Community with harmony. I treasure the harmony of the local community. Getting along with other ethnic backgrounds including as we believe harmony is the most important values of the United States. Should the comfort woman should be broken, its prejudice and discrimination. It may even be called hatred for those in the community. Its called by people of different origins. We must not Bring International issues between each of our mother land to the local community. That would surely divide members in the community and harmony would be destroid easily. What were dealing with are things that unite people with various ethnic backgrounds. We dont need people that divide people and destroy harmony. Thank you very much. Where are you from, sir . Speaker from sacramento. Thank you. Next speaker. Good afternoon, and thank you for this afternoon. My name is maria and living in this Diverse Community for more than 35 years, and i cherish the diversity. And i am against building conflict women statute or Women Memorial in this beautiful San Francisco city on public property. I heard 200,000 commented in the resolution and many speakers mentioned that. And i would like to because i was puzzled, first of all, why in australia, canada, United States, many, many cities, theyre trying to build this memorial. Not just San Francisco. Theyre planning to build in almost every city. Why is this . So i kind of researched myself, and i like to comment one point, and a common misunderstanding of 200,000 teenage comfort women are coerced by japanese started by the article written by mr. Wemer on august 11th 1991. Its a newspaper, which is a major newspaper, and there were 200,000 teenager factory workers, but they are not comfort women. But mr. Wemer wrote an article that day that they were one korean woman suing japanese government and he wanted to put the article and he wrote she put she was sold by [inaudible]. That please wrap up, maam. Okay. Sorry. Mr. Wemer wrote she was the factory worker, and of course thank you very much. Thank you. Next speaker. 3 4 f1 we have a listening session to encourage Grass Root Organization to voice concerns. [inaudible] to wounds which linger from the experience of comfort woman. In the church we are concerned that [inaudible] preserved as a part of educational process which can provide nob mub have individuals as well as promote peace and [inaudible] for peoples and nations involved. A number of the women [inaudible] have already passed and many are now in the later years of their life. [inaudible] not only important [inaudible] please wrap up. Ofor these reason we believe the public memorial [inaudible] a important step in our right [inaudible] thank you so much. Thank you. Next speaker. Thank you please pull the microphone close. Thank you honorble board of supervisor and other supervisor and president s. My name is kate [inaudible] i am a psychology intern ask and i look at the issues from a more psychological point of view because many people have their own experience. I stand here to oppose to build the statue to cumemorize the certain idea. In this case is comfort women. Psychologically i look at this and repeatedly we use the word, comfort women, rape, japanese soldiers, sex slave. When we use these words, you have in your mind that negative message. There is no positive message. Evethen supervisor mar, you said we need to have compassion and bring and unit the Community Despite the intention that building the statue at war repeting the history. I done know if it is real history or not. Fabicated i dont know. We have been debating. This will Bring Division so i urge the board of supervoizers to bring more expertise in the case, not just a hearing our opinions because this is the city of San Francisco. We can be more systematic and logical to come to the conclusion uniting us together, not just separating them. Thank you. Mr. Roger scott. Thank you and good afternoon and good fron to the people in this room who you will agree with me and some disagree with me. We are exercising our democratic prerogative to spress our views. I support the erection of the memormal for many reasons. Many countries commit war crimes and think the japanese committed many war crime jz think current japanese of today many people want japan to rectify the war crime jz do the right thing and building this memorial i think or correcting this memorial is supported by many people in japan that recognize japan is a great country and has the highest Literacy Rate in the world, great long gevty, technological brilliance but until japan comes to terms with the war crimes japan will not be able to participate as a leader in the community of nations throughout the world. I would like to see japan do that and want to point out during the vietnam war [inaudible] the japanese are intelligence and the mammalia jrt of the japanese people oppose the instituting or the replacement of the article 9 of the constitution that keeps japan from rearming and many people in japan are opposing the reopening of the nuclear plants. For all these [inaudible] critical of the war crimes of my own country. Thank you mr. Scott. Next speaker. Good afternoon supervisors. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. My name is [inaudible] i live in the city for more than 40 years. I am strongly opposed against establishing the comfort women statue here in. The reason i believe is that this tragic story of comfort women who are taken by japanese empyreal army were taken by a [inaudible] this writer admitted in 1995 he fabicated the story about the ubduction of young women from Treasure Island in ww 2. By the time he admitted his wrong doing it was too late. The comfort women story was wide spread due in part by the [inaudible] indicated the comfort women story was not true and apologizing to [inaudible] in fact, my understanding is that the comfort women were well treated, paid handsomely and [inaudible] evidence shows they were far from being sex slave tooz the japanese empyreal army and find no reason to establish a comfort women statue in everyones favorite city of San Francisco. What is good about creating a unnecessary difficult situation between asian communities in our city . If this statue was erected here it would disrupt the harmony of the city and [inaudible] thank you. [inaudible] where did you say you are from . Im from japan. Thank you. Next speaker. Good afternoon. My name is [inaudible] and im the president of Asian Americans for peace and justice. [inaudible] is also a member of our group and so [inaudible] of his letter wasi like to begin by reading that paragraph. In addition, Human Trafficking and sexual slavery continue to be critical concerns for our communities today. Honoring and documenting the story of the comfort women can help provide perspective addressing abuses taking place today. A memorial will help educate the public about the past but also [inaudible] to encourage awareness and prevention of continuing atrocity. We strongly are in favor of the resolution as it stands. Im going use my own personal experience to just talk a little about language. Im a poet and you know how poets are, we are really particular about the language we use. I was also a former principle of a very Diverse School with many languages. What i learned from that experience is it isnt the language that counts t is the heart. We can [inaudible] if your heart is true. Our hearts are true to this. This is a atrocity and needs to be memorialized to as i use today tell my kids, to empower you, to empower our community and empower the asian American Community. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. Mr. Awn. Eda awn with [inaudible] speaking in my capacityf San Francisco rez dents and my personal public history as well as a Second Generation korean american. Much of what is said about that i cant add enough in terms och being in favor. It memorial aterms that we need to des cuss this continuously and there is a debate today over the nature of comfort women across asia that the survivors are still have this debate is offensive and should be continued to be pursued. We heard the question posed what in the resolution is offensive or promotes hatred and havent heard line coming out of the resolution as being offensive. That shows how thoughtful supervisor mar is and appreciative of this bowing put forward today so urge your aye vote. Next speaker is [inaudible] as a San Francisco rez dent i appreciate the opportunity to speak before the 3 members of the board of supervisors and i appreciate the efforts of everyone here to make their points gone. I speak on behalf of [inaudible] supported by many people of many faith squz no faith here on the west coast and urge this committee to refer the resolution the the full board and we also more importantly urge no changes be made. There is no perfect language in a rez lug, i thipg we all recognize that but there are aspects when confronting war crimes that come up as people that worked to bind the wound of war and that is obscureation and denial. We heard a lot of denial today and dont think of the question of he said she said. We heard attempts at obscureation. If you change the wording to make it more general for all victims of you take away from the intent of the resolution which sh honor and recognize the suffering and continuing suffering of comfort women throughout asia including japanese and philippine and others. I urge you not to change the language at this time or when you have the full Board Meeting next week. Thank you very much. Thank you mr. Mick 92 eland the great work of the American Friends Service committee. Thank you to phyllis kim for coming out from la and being a great leader in the move. Thank you for the opportunity address the commission. We have heard a lot of words from the opposition that we need to promote peace, unity, [inaudible] love and respect and we need to teach love and harmony to our generation and children. We do not live in a perfect world. We do not live in where there is no disagreement. When there is a crime against humanity, there is the pert trairt and those entities which is responsible for it. We demand justice. We demand the responsibility. We demand apology and apology is the first step. Apology does not end the whole problem in the resolution. We need to Work Together towards the complete justice, which is teaching our next generation of the correct history. What broke my heart today listening to the opposition actually was a day zaw view of 2013 glen dale hearing. Many speakers here showed up at the glendale hearing and shared their concern of opposition and used the same arguments, but it was really the japanese responsibility to teach its people and its children the correct history so they dont makethey dont have this misunderstanding and mislead so we dont make the same mistake, so im so honored to accompany [inaudible] im fortunate to meet everyone who has been so wonderful to work with and i am so grateful for this opportunity to be here. Thank you so much thank you mrs. Kim. The last card was patrick chan. We are closing Public Comment after [inaudible] i had already called mr. Osheeda so well close after [inaudible] finishes my name is frank lee and im speaking as a private citizen in support of the comfort Women Memorial. The reason is very simple, history must be preserved. Truth must never be denied. I urge you to pass the resolution as it is without any amendment. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Chin. [inaudible] im honored it be here to meet you and wish you well and happiness and honorable supervisors i came here to understand the resolution. I read it in the newspaper the last couple days and i just want to make a few comments. Im a really supporting women rights and you know, the think about it, if your wife, your mother or daughter got locked up every day and got raped 10 to 30 times a day every week, every month, how do you feel it is ashame to deny these things happen. Im sorry japanese americans [inaudible] respond the comments about like harmonyim telling you there will be no harmony if japan does come out openly apologize for what they have done, the atrocities. This atrocity is so horrible and [inaudible] myriads of people their lives are destroyed and so im just saying that i dont understand why it is so difficult for japan to come out and say im sorry. We are wrong and in wrk w 2 and please forgive us and forgive and forget and what the germans did when they came out and apologize. The mammalia majority of people forget about it. I dont know why it is so difficult for japan [inaudible] thank you mr. Chin. Thank you so much. Judge sing. Thank you. I see we have been very very patient and it is 530. I am saddened by some of the things where heard today. I thipg we are all victims of what japan did during the war. Even those who oppose this resolution are victims of the war. [inaudible] we would not have been here today. If japan did not murder, rape, kidnap 200 thousand young girls and women we would not be here today. I hear 2 apountants to this resolution, one a denial that it happened and 2 there is a back lash of japanese americans. As a judge of 32 years direct evidence is much much better than indirect and circumstantial evidence. Ladies and gentlemen who read books that is indirect evidence. Direct evidence is a woman here age 88 who testified as a vem of what happened to her. Im ashamed of those who deny what happened. I apologize to you for the lies that theypeople dont understand they are just ignorant. Please forgive them. The second appointant had to do with how they would feel about the monulate. Japaneses have nothing to do with the warment roosevelt made a big mistake when associated with the war and put them in concentration camps. It was not the japanese marn american fault and japanese americans should be not [inaudible] they should be with us to fight what happened in jupawn because they were victims of the war. I worked with [inaudible] for the reparation of japanese americas. Thank you judge sing. Mr. Rashida. Supervisors thaupg very much. My first comment is i dont think i have seen this many japanese and japanese americans in a board of supervisors meeting ever so obviously you are touching a hot button. I think what is important is that we heed the values and the statements in the letter written by the San Francisco Japanese American Citizens League. Please, heed those words just reflect on those words as you look at moving forward in this process. I would ask that you take into consideration the statements of commissioner eto and [inaudible] they ring true. Some have been around a very long time and started in the movement way back then. I havent forgotten where i came from and ask you respect where they came from as well. Lastly from the japan town task force, the process moved very rapidly and we would ask and we will take you up on your suggestion of working collaboratively in the future in whatever direction this takes. We will catch watch this process and ask we are a part of this process and ask you to honor those words. The last speaker is chun lieu and then well close Public Comment in a moment. Thank you all so much for giving me this chan to be the last speaker. My name is chin you and i am a independent writer. Im a scientist and writer and im here to give you a story i know since i was a child. I was born and raised during the [inaudible] in china and one of the things we had then was a photo album my mom had kept. There was not much entertainment and we looked through the photo albums and again and again and there is one chapter among the many in the photos was a japanese teacher. [inaudible] this japanese teacher sparked endless curiosity of myself and my brothers and sister and so we [inaudible] after i came here. So, my mom said this is the only foreigner she had ever knew. This japanese man was a artist and came to japan and came to shanghai to work for a join Science Institute in shanghai in 1931 and rfs in china during the war. After the war was over he sayed in china and passed away in 1967. From my moms story what i hear is the love she and her students had for this japanese man. My mom and i went to the same high school. During the war it was a base for the chinese [inaudible] after the war and the school was reduced to one building. This story fascinates me. What i want to say is that one mans cor ages action can inspire [inaudible] thank you very much. Thank you everyone for tremendously moving testimony. I wanted to say we will close Public Comment now and open up to colleagues for closing remarks. Thank you so much to how [inaudible] grandmaw grandma lee for staying so long. Y supervisor christensen. So i have been thinging over the past 3 and a half hours about what horrible things human beings do to each other. Both inside war and out. What distresses me more is while we are talking young girls perhaps some in our oun city have been suffering the painful transition between a innocent past and a haunted future if they have a future at all. What is it that is within our power to do about this . Acknowledgment. Remembrance and condemnation of dispizeed acts is one thing we can do. I think that is the intention of this memorial. I have no wish to acknowledge the suffering of one group of women only to cause grief or distress to another. I have deep respect and efection for people who have concerns about this included some that are here that feel acknowledging this victims we will somehow victimize them. I think our challenge today is that we are parsing words and imagining repercushions for a memorial for which we have no clear vision. We dont know what or where this will be. Done well, it could be a fitting testament not only to the suffering of these women but to their perseverance. Done well, it could encourage women to speak out in their own defense and defense of others. Done well, it could be reminder to all of us that we need to do more because we do need to do more. Our question here today, the 3 of us, is not whether to approve this resolution or build a monulate but whether to pass this to the colleagues of the board of supervisor frz their consideration. I think the depth of this question indicates we should do that. But i think to those on both sides, the bigger question is where we go from here. What discussions take place . What form this monument may take and how we as the Gold Mountain city respond to this particular epiicide in history. It isnt the only one, but i think it is one that deserves attention and as a woman, i think drawing attention to the plight of women is always a important task for our society. I thank you for everyone who came today, and thank you sfr visor mar and thank you for bringing this item forward for your leadership on this important issue. I want to thank you for the people who waited to speak on all sides of this issue. Let me begin by first addressing my friends in the Japanese American Community who spoke out against this resolution including commissioner eto and [inaudible] i have a lot of respect for commissioners and all the people who spoke. I understand the point about the importance of harmony and what i would say is that no one is in my view questioning the need to maintain harmony and harmony among san franciscans not only in the asian American Community but all is important. I think we have a difference of opinion in terms of how we attain that harmony and i believe that harmony requires an acknowledgment of truth of what happened and i dont think that we can have harmony without an acknowledgment of what actually took place. Where think it is in that spirit that i amproud to support this resolution. Im a student of history and love reading about history and what is interesting about the discussion around the need for reparations for japanese americans is that a lot of interesting arguments were made in favor or against that and one of the things that kept coming up as im reading some of the articles that were written about this is that people oppose reparations for japanese americans and oppose the u. S. Government doing anything about that because among other things they said you know, it wasnt just the u. S. That did bad things. There was the senator jessie helms that said ill only support reparations if we acknowledge all the horrible things japan did. The realty is that human beings as supervisor christensen said of all walks of life do bad thing tooz one another and in this case so many horrible things were done by people on all sides. The fact that ist is truth dozen mean we shouldnt acknowledge what happened here and that is the point cht by acknowledging what happened here we are not saying no one else did anything wrong. To the conttrary something wrong was done. To those folks the good people including many good people who happened to be japanese americans and hope you take this in that spirit and as this item goes forward which i thing it will and pass at the board that you use the opportunity of the monument as a way of coming together because i think we have more in common than we do differences. I do want to address some of the members of the audience that came here though and spoke to deny what happened. I say this with a great deal of love and respect, but shame on you. Shame on you. Shame on you for denying what happened and shame on you for the personal attacks on this woman, grandma lee who had the courage to fly from another side of the world to come here and speak her truth. You know, it is amazing and by the way, i hope that the japanese government is not behind some of these denials. I give credit to this government and hope that they are not involved because if they are it is a double offense. It adds insult to injury. Those who study histgy what happened in ww 2 and what happened in europe know that when the allies liberated a number of the concentration camps in europe and occupied nazi germany, they made a point of having some of the german residence of these nearby towns to bring them into the the concentration camps so that they could see for themselves what was happening and some of the reasons had to do with even then they knew as much as the facts were there there would be people in the future would deny the holocaust happened and sure enough there are people to this day that deny those atrocities happened. For those of my friends who are against this resolution, i think it is important for you to differentiate yourself and make yourself, separate yourself from the comment made here today. I think that you can be against this memorial and resolution without being in favor of denying history. I think the denial of what happened is a disservice to the Japanese American Community and a disservice to the people of japan. I think it is a disservice to all of us as human beings and to grandma lee, i want to say, i am sorry that that was said but the thing about this country, it is a democracy and we have freedom of speech and part of freedom of speech people are free to say hateful things and things that are baseless but the thing about the lies and ignorance is the more those people deny what happened and the more those people go after you, the more they prove the point that in fact we do need a monmment because if people deny it after all these years it is important we have a testament to what happened. On behalf of the people that i represent in district 9 and myself as a san franciscan, i want to thank you for your courage. Thank you for what you are doing and San Francisco is forever indebted to you and god bless you. You can see that this is a just country, this is a just city, justice is a important part of who we are as a city and so thank you very much and the last thing i would say isi was looking at this to those who feel that maybe something negative will come out of this, i am a big believeer in the truth and will end from a quat from gaupdy who said truth never damages a cause that is just. Thank you. Thank you to [inaudible] lee. Thank you supervisor christensen. Thank you supervisor campos as well. Let me just wrap up by saying that grandma lee, [inaudible] mentioned a few things i think are really important and she gives us strength and hope for justice and peace in our world. She said in her comments we hate the crimes done to us but not the people. She also said to activate the new generations accurate history to activate and engage new generations accurate history and important and whether we like it or not the truth will come out no matter what and i believe in that as well. I wanted to say also that grace [inaudible] also mentioned the power of language and culture is very very empowering and it is about occupyening our hearts so we empower victims of oppression to tell their own stories. Whether it was [inaudible] or tell the story of Indigenous People in the country or ventant harding who tells the stories of the civil movement. [inaudible] not the concan [inaudible] i want to say the discussions that went before us i think are very important and i thank the 8 sponsors of the resolution we have before us and i wanted to say that i feel extremely empowered by the presence of grandma lee and so many in solidarity from other cities here. I feel empowered by a new coalition that the [inaudible] have dealt beyond just the chinese community. I feel empowered as a father of a 15 year old daughter with hope for the future. Lastly, i wanted to say to the japanese american leaders that are here, many support ovthe memorial but others with concern, im committed to involving japanese leadership in the development of the nob nub judy [inaudible] said she wased to be involved as the president of the [inaudible] mr. Rusheeda and rosalind [inaudible] the task force is so important. To reverend [inaudible] and others from the japanese religious federation. You are involved and it is critical. We want a memorial that we can point tothality belong tooz all of us. With that i like to ask if there is a motion for the regz resolution i move we move this [inaudible] can we do that without objection to send to full board as a Committee Report on tuesday september 22. . Thank you everyone. We have several more items on the agenda. Can you call the next item item 2 is resolution authorizing adoption of San Francisco monetal health [inaudible] i will ask if we take a 3 to 4 minute break as people clear the ental health [inaudible] i will ask if we take a 3 to 4 minute break as people clear the chambers. Well recess for only a couple minutes. We are back from our recess and mr. Even called item 2. Please exist the chambers if you can. We have a presentation on this resolution adopting the San Francisco Mental Health service act. Is there a presentation from the department . There is a brief set of comments. Everyone please keep it down and try to move out of the chamber should i just go ahead . Yes. My name is [inaudible] im the deputy direct orf Behavioral Health within the department of Public Health and [inaudible] we are here asking for the support of a new invasion project that we have submit today the state for approval that actually is going be heard very soon by the Mental Health Service Oversight commission to see if the state approves funding after endorsement. The Mental Health service act provides funding to expand melthsal health suvs in San Francisco. We are prior reeured 5 percent of the funning be spent on invasion which is a way to test novel and new way tooz get Better Outcomes for the client, chaichcking the system and through a Community Planning process we developed a propousal for a Peer Respite Program which is on the grounds of San Francisco general hospital. It was also a recommendation that came out of the cares task force which was held last year and is staffed and managed and developed by peers so people have experience receiving services from the public melthsal Health System in San Franciscoment they are open during the day but hope to turn to 24 7 schedule and already we have had really exciting successs from the program and one of the goals is better engage folks that might not otherwise engage in services. Primarily folks that use psycho [inaudible] for a range of reasons and have found support within the peer respite which is a more Cost Effective model, very recovery oriented and honors the role the peers have to contribute as providers in our system. Thank you so much i can answer questions or talk for the next 2 hours if you like how will intake and referl be handle d the folks that come are referred to bicase managers so the are people that are knroun to the system and we are learning how the peersthe certifyied nursessistence are on staff that work at the hospital. Primarily it is a case manager make as referral the peers do a intake process that they developed. We are currently taking folks that are engaged in Case Management and housed or have a place to go at night because we are not a 24 7 we need to be sure people are not going to behave a place to go at the end oof the day any from the public that would like to speak . Seeing none Public Comment is closed. Colleagues can we move this regz lose forward without objection. . Item 3 the hearing to consider transfer of type 21 off sale general license [inaudible] serve the public [inaudible] thank you. We have a presentation from the alu. Good evening supervisors. You have an application for type 21 which will allow sale of beer, wine and spirit along with type 41 which allows the on sale of beer and wine in the cafe area. At this time there is no letter protest or support. This premise is located in plot 424 which considered low crime area. The premise is locaughted in census track 228. 01 which has undue saturation [inaudible] a lu recommends approve with the following conditionsism number 1, saleoffs alcohol beverages shall be permitted betweench the hours of 8 a. M. To midnight each day of the week. No more than 5 percent othf Square Footage of the public retail space not including the storage area of the premise will be used for display of alcoholic beverages. No wine is sold with alcoholic containts greater than 15 percent accept for dinner wines that are aijd 2 years or more. Wine shall not be sold in bottles or contains more than 375 ml. No nauz is audible beyond the area and control of the license. Number 6, the sale suvs and consumption of powder alcohol or like non liquid alcohol biverages is prohiblted the sale of distail spirits in [inaudible] is strictly prohibited and that was aurlds stated. It should be noted that the applicant has agreed with the recommended conditions from the alu. Thank you. I wanted to invite the applicant, is it beth [inaudible] . And anyone else representing Guss Community Market to give a presentation thank you. Beth [inaudible] here for Guss Community Market. As was indicated this is a request for a finding of public convenience or necessity where a community market. Guss market is a family owned business. They operate 2 similar neighbor businesses. The [inaudible] they have proven themselves as responsible Business Owners and well respected members of those communities where other market have operated since the 1980s. Nor egga produce received a accommodation as Small Business of the year. The new market like the other markets will offer full service deli, butcher department, full line of products and small caf a. With respect to Liquor License the license is transferred from within the mission alcohol special use district. The applicants have done Community Outreach and ateneded Numerous Community meetings and neighbor associations meetings. They held a open meeting for residence who were interested hearing about the new market. They sent letters to ofern 250 of the closest neighboring residence introducing them sevl squz giving Contact Information for any questions. The response from it community is supportive. In fablth, there are letters of support in the package that you have. I believe alus report refer tooz letters submitted to abc, but there were some letters that are part of your packet. The Planning Commission unanimously approved the new market including specifically the transsfer of the Liquor License from within the district and alu Police Department is supportive of the request so we would ask the commitsy ty to recommend approval of the finding. Thank you mrs. [inaudible] this is in supervisor camp poses district and wonder if he any remarks. Thank you mr. Chair and in the interest of time ill be brief. Thank you to Guss Community Market for the outreach they did for the presentation and alu for reviewing this. Happy to support this application. I think that the luvl of Community Outreach and support that is dem sfraited is what you want to see, so look forward to work wg you and after Public Comment im happy to make a motion to move this forward with a recommendation anyone from the public that would like to speak . Seeing none Public Comment is closed. Supervisor campos make a motion to move the item forward as a Committee Report with a positive recommendation so that is considered on the september 22 meeting of the board of supervisor we will do this without objection. Thank you. Thank you so much. Mr. Even is there anything else . Meeting meeting adjourned everyone. Working for the city and county of San Francisco will immerse you in a vibrant and dynamic city thats on the forefront of economic growth, the arts, and social change. Our city has always been on the edge of progress and innovation. After all, were at the meeting of land and sea. Our city is famous for its iconic scenery, historic designs, and worldclass style. Its the birthplace of blue jeans, and where the rock holds court over the largest natural harbor on the west coast. Our 28,000 city and county employees play an Important Role in making San Francisco what it is today. We provide residents and visitors with a wide array of services, such as improving city streets and parks, keeping communities safe, and driving buses and cable cars. Our employees enjoy competitive salaries, as well as generous benefits programs. But most importantly, working for the city and county of San Francisco gives employees an opportunity to contribute their ideas, energy, and commitment to shape the citys future. Thank you for considering a career with the city and county of San Francisco. What do you think about working at an airport and i love it is busy all the time. We want it to be an those away was this is a venture if i didnt love it ill be an accountant. We want the experience that is a nonairport experience the negative stigma were trying to erase that. Everything is in a bad food to excite them about the food and they have time to learn about us. People are imitated by traveling and the last thing to do is come to a place fill of chaos. Telling me how the extent of napa a farms came about. It was a vision of the airport director he had a suspicion of a really cool gourmet speciality market locally friendly products this market local flavors this is the best. Can we get a little tour. Absolutely laughter so first on our tour. We have the clock we like to call it. This is coordinating it is made in San Francisco. What about the customer presence. We like to get the permanent farther i love the cappuccino and you have to go to multiple places for the cupcakes the cup a cakes from karis people want to live here theyre longing phone call for one thing in one spot in you know anything about San Francisco the cheese the most popular cheesy think a lot of the people from the west coast say so this the real San Francisco sour doh