A heartbreaking incident has occurred in Seattle’s Peace Park, where a bronze statue of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died from leukemia after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, has been vandalized. The statue, titled “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes,” was found missing from the ankles up, likely due to the increasing value of bronze cast.
Sadako’s story is one of resilience and hope, as she folded over a thousand paper cranes while battling her illness, believing that her wishes would come true. The life-sized statue has been a symbol of peace and remembrance since 1990, attracting visitors who offer paper cranes as a wish for peace.
This is not the first time the statue has been damaged, as it had its right arm cut off in 2003 but was repaired through donations from around the world. The city government has reported the theft to the police, and local metal scrap dealers have been alerted about the incident.
Sadako’s legacy lives on in the Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima, where she is honored alongside other atomic bomb victims. The loss of the statue serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving history and promoting peace in our world.
© KYODO