Speak Out for Justice: August 6, 1981
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To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1981 Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) Los Angeles hearings, Visual Communications and Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress (NCRR) presents SPEAK OUT FOR JUSTICE, the entire gavel-to-gavel tape coverage of the Los Angeles hearings, held August 4 - 6, 1981. We are releasing the full 26 hours of tapes, comprising over 150 testimonies from those impacted by Executive Order 9066, including special introductions by various community members. Click here to watch the rest of the footage.
Speak Out for Justice: August 6, 1981
August 6th, 1981 was the third and final day of the CWRIC Los Angeles hearings, consisting of testimonies from the issei (first-generation Japanese Americans) who chose to testify in Japanese, along with first-hand accounts of internees from Terminal Island. Mental health professionals, educators, and members from various organizations also share the impact that internment has on intergenerational trauma, and demand constitutional remedy through redress and reparations.
On Thursday, August 26 at 6pm PT, join Nikkei Progressives and NCRR for Reparations Then! Reparations Now!, a virtual program to commemorate the anniversary of the CWRIC hearings and the passage of the 1988 Civil Liberties Act, which granted reparations for the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. The event will feature leaders of N’COBRA and the HR 40 Coalition, who are committed to supporting the demand of Black-led organizations for the passage of HR 40, a commission to study the harms of slavery and to propose reparations. Click here to RSVP.
An Introduction by Kay Ochi
Co-Chair of NCRR/Los Angeles Kay Ochi provides an overview introduction of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) hearings in Los Angeles, held from August 4 through August 6, 1981. Kay Ochi emphasizes the power of testimonies, grassroots organizations, and the importance of speaking out against injustice.
August 6, 1981 - Part 1
Testimonies emerge from the issei (first generation Japanese) perspective as testifiers demand to speak out in Japanese. Japanese Americans from Terminal Island tell their stories of being forcibly removed from their homes and placed into internment camps. Introduction by Yasuko Sakamoto of NCRR, and Alina Nakano, granddaughter of Bert and Lillian Nakano. Part 1 testifiers include Dean C. Allard, Tetsu Saito, Kiyo Yamashita, Saburo Sugita, Mamoru Ogata, Masaharu Tanibata, Henry Murakami, and Kanshi Yamashita.
August 6, 1981 - Part 2
Mental health professionals provide insight into the detrimental effects of camp trauma and the impact on psychological and physical health. Japanese Americans speak out on the extreme racial prejudice and discrimination experienced in post-camp life. Introduction by Karen Umemoto, Executive Director of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, and Michael Nishimura, member of Nikkei Progressives. Part 2 testifiers include: Amy Iwasaki Mass, Paul Chikahisa, Bebe Toshiko Reschke, Morry Tolmach, Edward Terao Himeno, Ford Hajime Kuramoto, James T. Fujii, Michiko Machida, and Chiyoko Sasaki.
August 6, 1981 - Part 3
Testifiers continue to speak out on the economic loss and psychological impact of Japanese internment during World War II. Recollections of post-camp resettlement also demonstrate the discrimination and prejudice experienced by many Japanese Americans. Introduction by June Hibino of Nikkei Progressives and NCRR. Part 3 testifiers include: Rei Osaki, Peter K. Ota, John J. Saito, Linda Morimoto, Vernon Yoshioka, Esther Takei Nishio, Frances C. Kitagawa, Mary Fusako Odagiri, Hideko Sasaki, Henry Tamaki, Hiro Uchiyama, and Michael Antonovich.
August 6, 1981 - Part 4
Members from various associations and organizations provide legal viewpoints on the constitutional issues and impact of camp experiences on Japanese American psyche. All of them demand for monetary reparations and constitutional remedy. Introduction by Steve Nagano of NCRR and Nikkei Progressives. Part 4 testifiers include Fred Okrand, Junji Kumamoto, Alan Terakawa, Carole Sei Morita, Rose Matsui Ochi, Gerald M. Sato, Read H. McGrath, George K. Roth, Rev. Herbert Nicholson, Lucie Cheng Hirata, and Yuji Ichioka.
August 6, 1981 - Part 5
As the final day of the CWRIC hearings conclude, testifiers continue to speak out on the impact of EO 9066 on Japanese American communities and unite in their demand for monetary redress. The testimonies recall business property loss, resettlement difficulties, and racial prejudice. Introduction by Richard Katsuda, educator and co-chair of NCRR. Part 5 testifiers include Akemi Kikumura, Sheri Miyashiro, Yoshio Ikemoto, Mas Inoshita, Hiroshi Kamei, Teru Watanabe, Yoshio Nakamura, Grace Nakamura, Mas Odoi, Jeff Tsuji, Bruce Kaji, Kazuo Mori, Marian Kadomatsu, Ruby Okubu, Judy Imai, and Larry Boss.
August 6, 1981 - Part 6
The three days of CWRIC LA hearings concludes with final comments from the three remaining Commissioners present. [Commissioners Arthur S. Flemming, Hugh B. Mitchell, and William M. Marutani] Introduction by Abraham Ferrer of Visual Communications.
