Embassy vigil ‘will show solidarity with victims of Japanese mass killings’

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Activists are today (4 August) set to hold a vigil outside the Japanese embassy in central London to express their “horror and huge sadness” at last week’s mass killings of 19 disabled residents of a care institution in Japan.

The idea for the vigil came from disabled activist Eleanor Lisney, who is east Asian herself, with support from fellow activist Dennis Queen, a leading member of the disabled people’s anti-euthanasia network Not Dead Yet UK.

The hope is to hand the embassy 19 lilies, one for each of the 19 deaths, and the results of an online book of condolence organised by Disabled People Against CutsInclusion London and People First (Self Advocacy).

Another vigil, unconnected with the London event, was also due to take place today in Lancaster.

Lisney said: “I am just hoping to show solidarity, to show that if you do things in one part of the world, it would not go unnoticed [in another part].

“I was really upset by what was happening and really sad that this happened in a care facility.

“I think we have to show solidarity because what happens to one of us happens to all of us. They were our brothers and sisters.”