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Historic
Redress/Reparations Forum
to be held in San Jose
On
Saturday, August 9, 2008, join event co-sponsors San Jose Japanese
American Citizens League, Nihonmachi Outreach Committee, and San
Jose City College for an educational forum entitled "Road
to Redress/Reparations: Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of
the Civil Liberties Act." The program will explore the efforts
undertaken at the local, national, and congressional levels to
make the legislation a reality.
The
act was a milestone in American history because it secured an
apology from the US government for the forced internment of 120,000
Americans of Japanese descent in concentration camps during World
War II. In addition, it provided redress payments to internees
and created an ongoing fund to educate the American public about
internment.
The
Civil Liberties Act of 1988 brought vindication to a Japanese
American community which was comprised of less than .05% of the
American population. The struggle to mobilize and unite the Japanese
American community and its supporters while simultaneously coordinating
local, national, and congressional advocacy efforts provides important
lessons for current and future leaders in our community.
The
movement launched redress from "special interest" legislation
into a much broader context by declaring that internment camps
were a product of racial discrimination, wartime hysteria, and
the failure of political leadership.
In
honor of this historic achievement, this educational forum will
discuss the collective efforts at the congressional, national
non-profit, and local (South Bay) levels to bring the Civil Liberties
Act to life.
The
Honorable Norman Mineta
will deliver the keynote address. JACL National Redress Director
John Tateishi, his bio is available
here, and Nihonmachi Outreach Committee
Redress activist Susan Hayase
are also scheduled to speak.
This
free event will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2008 from 2:00
pm - 4:30 pm at the San Jose City College Theater located at 2100
Moorpark Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128. Seating is limited.
Thank
you to Southwest Airlines, exclusive and official airline sponsor
for the SJ event, and Northern California/Western Nevada Pacific
JACL District, for their generous support of this event.
For
additional information, please visit our website at www.sanjosejacl.org
Kenzo
Kimura
408-476-2166
Kenzo.kimura@yahoo.com
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