Glendale Peace Monument
About the Glendale Peace Monument
The Glendale Peace Monument was established through collaboration between the City of Glendale and community support led by the Korean American Forum of California (KAFC, now Comfort Women Action for Redress and Education) and the Korea‑Glendale Sister City Association. Diverse community groups including Japanese, Chinese and Armenians stood in support of the Peace Monument in the face of strong opposition from the Japanese government and a lawsuit to remove the Monument from Glendale Central Park.
The monument symbolizes dignity, memory, and solidarity with victims of conflict‑related sexual violence around the world and is a part of a broader commitment to human rights and historical truth.
- Location: Glendale Central Park / Glendale Public Library area.
- Purpose: remembrance, education, and a pledge of non‑repetition.
- Community: created with support from local residents, advocates, and partners.
- Learn more: timeline, photos, FAQs, and educational context (see resources below).
Timeline
- July 30, 2012 — Glendale City Council first proclaimed “Korean Comfort Women Day.”
- July 30, 2013 — Monument unveiled in Central Park near the Glendale Public Library.
- 2014 — A federal lawsuit (‘Gingery v. City of Glendale’) sought removal of the monument; the district court dismissed the case.
- August 5, 2016 — Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed dismissal, allowing the monument to stand.
- Feb 27, 2017 — U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case, effectively ending the challenge.
- 2018 — Moved across from the Central Library due to Armenian American Museum construction.
- 2019–present — City statements and community programs continue to support remembrance and education.
Photos
What is the “comfort women” issue?
During the Asia–Pacific War, from 1932 until 1945, the Japanese military created and oversaw a system of sexual slavery often euphemistically called the ‘comfort women’ system. An estimated 50,000 to 400,000 women and girls from Asian countries and the Pacific region were coerced, deceived, or forced into military-run and affiliated brothels and forced to have sex with Japanese soldiers under slave-like conditions.
Survivors have testified to widespread violence, torture, forced abortion, and long-term physical and psychological harms. Only about 10% survived the war. International human rights experts and jurists have characterized these crimes as serious violations of international law, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Advocates around the world continue to call for truth, justice, reparations, and guarantees of non‑repetition—including accurate education and public remembrance.
Quick facts
- Survivors came from across Asia and beyond, including Korea, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and East Timor.
- Testimonies and historical documents have established military involvement and responsibility.
- The term ‘comfort women’ is a euphemism; many prefer ‘survivors of Japanese military sexual slavery’.
- Public memorials like the Glendale Peace Monument honor survivors and promote education and non‑repetition.
Quick links
Top resources for visitors and educators.
Lesson plans & archives
Books & films
- Comfort Women (2002, Yoshiaki Yoshimi)
- Chinese Comfort Women (2014, Qiu et al.)
- The Apology (2016, documentary)
- Spirits’ Homecoming (2016, feature)
- Shusenjo: The Main Battleground of the Comfort Women
Organizations
- CARE
- CWJC (Comfort Women Justice Coalition)
- Women’s Active Museum on War and Peace (WAM)
- The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance
- Fight for Justice
Museums & exhibitions
- Museum of Social Justice (Los Angeles)
- Heeum Museum of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (Daegu)
- House of Sharing (Gwangju)
- War & Women’s Human Rights Museum (Seoul)
- Armenian American Museum (Glendale)
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the monument matter today?
It honors survivors, supports accurate education, and affirms a pledge of non‑repetition for conflict‑related sexual violence everywhere.
Does the monument target one nationality?
No. While it reflects a specific historical system run by the Imperial Japanese military, its purpose is universal: dignity, remembrance, and human rights for all.
Are there similar monuments for the “comfort women” elsewhere?
Yes. The first monument dedicated to the “comfort women” victims was built in 2010 in the City of Palisades Park, New Jersey. Since then, 14 more monuments and statues for the “comfort women” issue have been erected throughout the United States, including Virginia, Greater Atlanta area, San Francisco and more. Similar monuments and statues have been established in the Philippines, Germany, Italy, and Argentina, as well as many in South Korea.
Is this history being taught in schools?
In 2016, California Board of Education adopted the “comfort women” issue to be part of 10th Grade History/Social Science Framework, becoming the first in the United States to include the issue in its public school curriculum. More and more teachers and educators are teaching it now throughout the United States.
If you have any further questions, please contact Comfort Women Action for Redress and Education at info@comfortwomenaction.org