City Hall was occupied once again today in response to Mayor Park Won-soon cowing to pressure from Christian groups and indefinitely postponing the implementation of a Human Rights Charter in Seoul. On my way home from work, I stopped by to snap a few pictures and show my support. If only I could just spend my day being an activist...
As you can see from the picture (purposefully blurry and from an awkward angle to ensure nobody was captured that didn't want to be seen) there were hundreds of peaceful activists. I noticed Kim Jho Gwang Su was in attendance, and I imagine other top gays have been in and out. Posted around the space were messages of solidarity as well as demands for Mayor Park to apologize and implement the human rights charter.
In another part of City Hall there was a counter protest going on by a Christian group (I heard some choruses about hallelujahs), but for the most part everything was peaceful and positive.
As I wasn't able to stay long, I decided to try to piece together some of the evening's highlights through three Twitter hashtags: #무지개농성단 (Rainbow Sit-in) #응답하라박원순 (Reply Park Won-soon) and #서울시민인권헌장 (Seoul Human Rights Charter). Note that times are from tweets, not necessarily real time.
At 7:58 pm, the Seoul LGBT Film Festival quoted a speaker who declared that 'This event is not a problem just about sexual minorities. This is something every citizen needs to get angry about.'
At 8:55 pm, Pilgrimage Church stated 'Remember that love is conquering hatred. Blessings conquering curses.'
Around 9 pm, a group called the Nakwon Sisters performed. (Nakwon Dong [Jongno 3 Ga] is one of Korea's gay areas).
Another speaker told the crowd that 'We do not need to step back an inch for love. That is a human right. Everyone, love!'
Soon after, feminist singer Ji Hyeon-nim performed, and stated that though she has lived with her companion of 14 years she came because she now feels that her existence in Seoul has been threatened.
Tomorrow, occupy City Hall will continue at 7:30 pm.
Finally, check out a great Huffpost blog piece that was penned yesterday: Don't Let Seoul's Mayor Buckle to Homophobia and Transphobia. Gives you a clear image of where Park Won-soon was when he started his political career and how far he has drifted.
As you can see from the picture (purposefully blurry and from an awkward angle to ensure nobody was captured that didn't want to be seen) there were hundreds of peaceful activists. I noticed Kim Jho Gwang Su was in attendance, and I imagine other top gays have been in and out. Posted around the space were messages of solidarity as well as demands for Mayor Park to apologize and implement the human rights charter.
In another part of City Hall there was a counter protest going on by a Christian group (I heard some choruses about hallelujahs), but for the most part everything was peaceful and positive.
As I wasn't able to stay long, I decided to try to piece together some of the evening's highlights through three Twitter hashtags: #무지개농성단 (Rainbow Sit-in) #응답하라박원순 (Reply Park Won-soon) and #서울시민인권헌장 (Seoul Human Rights Charter). Note that times are from tweets, not necessarily real time.
At 7:58 pm, the Seoul LGBT Film Festival quoted a speaker who declared that 'This event is not a problem just about sexual minorities. This is something every citizen needs to get angry about.'
At 8:55 pm, Pilgrimage Church stated 'Remember that love is conquering hatred. Blessings conquering curses.'
Around 9 pm, a group called the Nakwon Sisters performed. (Nakwon Dong [Jongno 3 Ga] is one of Korea's gay areas).
Another speaker told the crowd that 'We do not need to step back an inch for love. That is a human right. Everyone, love!'
Soon after, feminist singer Ji Hyeon-nim performed, and stated that though she has lived with her companion of 14 years she came because she now feels that her existence in Seoul has been threatened.
Tomorrow, occupy City Hall will continue at 7:30 pm.
Finally, check out a great Huffpost blog piece that was penned yesterday: Don't Let Seoul's Mayor Buckle to Homophobia and Transphobia. Gives you a clear image of where Park Won-soon was when he started his political career and how far he has drifted.
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