Protesting Motions That Defame and Discriminate

Members of religious minority demonstrate against local and national motions claimed to be unlawful as they defame and discriminate

Tokyo, 14th November 2024 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article. 

Former Unification Church Protests Religious Hate Resolution

Fukuoka District Court to Issue Verdict on 20th November 2024

by the editorial department of Sekai Nippo

On the afternoon of 10^th November 2024, the Association of Fukuoka Prefecture Residents for the Protection of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedom of Religion held a protest march around Kitakyushu City Hall. The protest was against the government’s request for the dissolution of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly known as the Unification Church) and the Kitakyushu City Council’s declaration to cut ties with the group. Approximately 150 followers participated, appealing to the city council and citizens against religious hate.

A female follower in her 30s who joined the protest remarked with tears in her eyes,

“I was moved by the dedication of Kitakyushu City Council members who participated despite the rain.”

She then added emphatically,

“I feel a strong indignation that fundamental human rights are being violated here in Kitakyushu.”

In December 2022, the Kitakyushu City Council unanimously passed a resolution affirming its stance not to associate with the “anti-social former Unification Church”. The religious organization subsequently filed a lawsuit against the city in August 2023, seeking 11 million yen in damages, arguing that the resolution constituted defamation and religious discrimination and was therefore unlawful. The court ruling in this case is scheduled for 20^th November 2024.

Featured image above: Demonstrators marching in the rain 10^th November 2024, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City. Photo: Sekai Nippo

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