In Ontario, Nanjing vigil sets somber scene

While nothing can undo the unspeakable tragedy of Nanjing Massacre, a day for commemoration in Ontario was a milestone for many reasons.

Community associations from across the Canadian province joined a public candlelit vigil on Wednesday to mark the first Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day.

The somber mood of about 1,000 people who gathered at Queens' Park lit candles for the victims of the massacre.

On Oct 26, the Ontario Legislature gave unanimous consent to Chinese-Canadian lawmaker Soo Wong's Motion 66, which designates Dec 13 of each year as Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day in Ontario.

"I am proud to stand with my colleagues and Ontarians today in remembrance of the Nanjing Massacre," Wong said.

"The Commemorative Day is about education, reaffirming Ontario's values and more importantly standing with survivors and victims' families in somber memorial of these atrocities."

Members of Provincial Parliament in the House stood for a moment of silence in the chamber to remember the victims.

"I am incredibly proud of Ontario in spearheading this commemorative day," said MPP Michael Chan.

"For too long, the Nanjing Massacre has gone unrecognized in the West. Today, Ontario commemorates the hundreds of thousands of lives lost in this atrocity, it is important to ensure that Ontario's younger generation understand the impact of this atrocity."

Members from the Japanese community also joined the gathering to mark the somber event.

"The Commemorative Day is a great accomplishment after a long struggle," said Yusuke Tanaka, a Japanese writer who has fought for social justice since 1980s.

"I do want to celebrate (the successes) today, as it is a great reconciliation between Japanese and other Asian groups."

The event coincided with the 80th anniversary of the day when Nanjing fell to Japanese aggressors, who went on a six-week-long slaughter of civilians and soldiers who had surrendered and put down their arms.

About 300,000 Chinese were killed, and 20,000 women raped during the massacre.

Meanwhile, Chinese and other Asian communities across US cities also paid homage to victims of the Nanjing Massacre.

renali@chinadailyusa.com