Passage of Motion 291 in the Parliament of Canada

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On November 28, 2007, the Parliament of Canada unanimously passed Motion 291. Sponsored and spearheaded by MP Olivia Chow, this resolution formally urged the Government of Japan to accept full responsibility for forcing over 200,000 women into military sexual slavery during World War II and to issue an official apology. 

 

This legislative impact was the culmination of a committed nine-month grassroots campaign spearheaded by ALPHA Education. By uniting diverse cultural communities—including Chinese, Korean, and Filipino diaspora groups—ALPHA Education brought together a powerful coalition. Crucially, they elevated the voices of four aging survivors who bravely traveled to Parliament Hill to deliver their testimonies firsthand.

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Today, the legacy of Motion 291 lives on through our advocacy. Canadians, young and old, are a part of a global movement to honour this history, ensuring that the fight for restorative justice and human rights remains an active, generational mission rather than a forgotten footnote.

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Passage of Motion 66 in Ontario’s Provincial Parliament

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It was a historic day in Ontario's Provincial Parliament as MPP Soo Wong's Motion 66 passed unanimously, designating December 13th of each year as the Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day on the provincial calendar. This is a huge steptoward memorializing a significant part of human history and bringing moral justice to the survivors of the massacre. 

 

The day ended with a beautiful candlelight vigil held outside Queen's Park. We are truly humbled and thank MPP Wong and her staff, as well as the volunteers who devoted themselves to the campaign for this motion—holding petition drives, writing to their MPPs, and spreading the word through the media—for their tireless efforts working toward this important acknowledgement of one of the horrific scourges of World War II in Asia.

Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day - December 13

 

On December 13, 1937, the Imperial Japanese Army invaded and captured Nanjing, the capital of China. Invading forces were merciless to civilians and captured soldiers alike, inflicting an estimated death toll of 300,000 over six weeks. It is estimated that 20,000 to 80,000 women, including children and the elderly, were raped during the occupation. Most were killed immediately afterward. Mass murder, torture, the erasure of entire families, and the burning of city blocks were commonplace. Bodies were burned, thrown into mass graves, or tossed into the Yangtze River, turning its waters red. 

 

Often referred to as the Rape of Nanjing, this atrocity stands as a testament to the cruelest forms of inhumanity. Yet, even amid intense fear and terror, there were those who provided humanity and protection. The Nanjing Massacre remains stark evidence of how war yields brutal acts of violence, death, and suffering. 

 

We must remember the victims and the history, not the hatred. For this reason, in 2017, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario passed Motion 66, declaring December 13 as Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day to honor the victims and their families while upholding humanity, reconciliation, and peace.

 

As we remember Nanjing, we remember all victims of all massacres.

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

                        – Lao Tzu

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Why Do We Celebrate?

Our Shared Humanity. Our Voices.

 

From the atrocities suffered in the European and Asian theatres of World War II to the interconnected local and global armed conflicts of the twenty-first century, individuals of all ages continue to experience violence on multiple levels. Today, society and organizations increasingly recognize the fragility of peace and the urgent need to foster a culture of non-violence. Alongside these efforts, ALPHA Education and the Asia Pacific Peace Museum contribute to this mission through celebration—an element just as vital as advocacy and commemoration.

 

It is crucial that part of moving forward with our mission and commitments means honouring our circle of influence: youth, educators, researchers, historians, and diverse communities. We celebrate their support, partnerships, and shared dedication to social justice, reconciliation, and global peace through our annual galas, runs for peace, peace fests, and education programs.

 

Join the movement.

Be part of our next gala, run for peace, peace fest, or education programs.

Partner with us to champion change.