The American embassy in Seoul on Monday removed a banner in support of the anti-racist movement Black Lives Matter, given the risk of suggesting that this organization would benefit from financial support from the federal state.
Read also: Protests in Atlanta after the death of a black man shot dead by the police
The diplomatic mission in South Korea wanted to show its support for the protesters demanding an end to violence and discrimination against black Americans after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The banner " shows our support for the fight against racial injustice and police brutality as we strive to be a society that integrates better and is fairer, " the embassy said on Facebook on Saturday.
Read also: America's tribute to George Floyd, erected as a martyr of racism
The same day Ambassador Harry Harris, a former senior officer in the US Navy, quoted President John F. Kennedy on Twitter as saying: " Diversity is our strength ". Harry Harris, a Japanese-American, had previously told embassy staff that he was " deeply disturbed by the events surrounding the brutal murder of George Floyd and its aftermath ." " As an Asian American, who grew up in the segregationist south of the 1960s, I never imagined that it would happen again, especially in the 21st century, " he added in a message.
Citing an unidentified source, CNN said it was Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who requested the removal of the banner. The American Embassy in Seoul has also removed from its façade another symbol of the fight against discrimination, a rainbow flag, a symbol of the LGBT movement. Tuesday, a huge banner marking the 70th anniversary of the Korean War had been deployed and occupied the space left vacant.
Read also: United States: Supreme Court validates the rights of gay and transgender workers
The embassy spokesman stressed that the withdrawals " do not diminish the principles and ideals expressed by displaying the banner, and the embassy will seek other ways to convey American core values during these difficult times on our ground ". He also said it was aimed at " avoiding misperception that public funds from American taxpayers were spent to benefit such organizations ."
See also: "Statues, objects of piety and hatred: the example of Greek and Roman Antiquity"
Mike Pompeo, who calls himself a Christian believer and opposed to gay marriage, had defined in 2019 limits to the rainbow flag raised by certain American diplomatic representations. In no case should it be on the mast of official buildings, reserved for the national flag.
