Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


US Embassy in Seoul Displays, Then Removes Black Lives Matter Banner

William Gallo

   SEOUL - The U.S. Embassy in Seoul has removed a "Black Lives Matter"
   banner and rainbow flag in support of LGBTQ rights, after President
   Donald Trump and senior State Department leaders complained about the
   displays, according to a U.S. news outlet.
   Bloomberg News reported Monday that Trump and Secretary of State Mike
   Pompeo were displeased with the banners, which had hung for several
   days on the front of the main U.S. embassy building in Seoul, South
   Korea.
   In a statement late Monday, an embassy spokesperson said Ambassador
   Harry Harris had decided to display the Black Lives Matter banner "to
   communicate a message of solidarity with Americans concerned with
   racism, especially racial violence against African Americans."
   "He wanted to highlight the enduring American values of racial
   equality, freedom of speech, and the right to peacefully protest.
   However, the Ambassador's intent was not to support or encourage
   donations to any specific organization. To avoid the misperception that
   American taxpayer dollars were spent to benefit such organizations, he
   directed that the banner be removed," the statement read.
   "This in no way lessens the principles and ideals expressed by raising
   the banner, and the Embassy will look for other ways to convey
   fundamental American values in these times of difficulty at home," it
   added.
   The display was the latest example of U.S. government, military and
   other institutions expressing self-reflection and solidarity with the
   wave of global protests following recent U.S. police killings of
   African Americans.
   Although many of the U.S. protesters have been critical of Trump, the
   movement is largely focused on police violence, as well as the
   practices and allegations of racial bias in U.S. institutions.
   On Monday, the U.S. military in South Korea, which had already held a
   series of Black Lives Matter community events, went a step further,
   banning displays of the Confederate battle flag on its bases.
   "The Confederate battle flag does not represent the values of U.S.
   forces assigned to serve in the Republic of Korea," read a memo by
   General Robert Abrams, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea.
   "While I acknowledge some might view it as a symbol of regional pride,
   many others in our force see it as a painful reminder of hate, bigotry,
   treason, and devaluation of humanity," Abrams added.

     1/7
     We should all be outraged and ashamed at the killing of George Floyd
     & others by police. I know I am.
     We should be equally outraged against racism and bigotry that
     continues. To be clear--there is NO place for it in our country and
     NO place for it in our military. ZERO.
     -- Robert Abrams (@DogFaceSoldier) [1]June 5, 2020

   The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have already moved to prohibit displays
   of the Confederate flag, which was carried during the U.S. Civil War by
   southern forces that wanted to preserve slavery.
   The U.S. Army has also said it was open to renaming nearly a dozen
   bases named after leaders of the Confederacy, which surrendered to
   Union forces in 1865. But the move to rename bases was criticized by
   Trump, who has long opposed the removal or destruction of Confederate
   displays.
   "These Monumental and very Powerful Bases have become part of a Great
   American Heritage, and a history of Winning, Victory, and Freedom,"
   Trump tweeted last week. "Therefore, my Administration will not even
   consider the renaming of these Magnificent and Fabled Military
   Installations."
   Neither Trump nor Pompeo have publicly commented on the displays at the
   U.S. Embassy in Seoul.

References

   1. https://twitter.com/DogFaceSoldier/status/1268817068528300032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

.