Norman Mineta Keynote event! Historic Redress/Reparations Forum August 9, 2008

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 Redress Director John Tateishi 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, Northern California/Western Nevada Pacific JACL District, and Legacy Funds Grant Program for their generous support of this event.



For additional information, please visit our website at www.sanjosejacl.org



Kenzo Kimura

Redress Event Chair

408-476-2166

Kenzo.kimura@yahoo.com