The California History Center
proudly presents the 12th Annual De Anza College Commemoration

Three Japanese boys behind fence

Day of Remembrance

Race Prejudice, War Hysteria, and the Failure of Political Leadership: The World War II Internment of Japanese Americans and its relevance to the defense of civil liberties today

The California History Center invites you to participate in the twelfth annual De Anza College Day of Remembrance. Join with Japanese American communities throughout the country who annually commemorate the date, February 19, 1942, during World War II on which an executive order was signed that led to the imprisonment of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans without due process and with no regard for their constitutional rights. The community now uses this date to encourage active participation in defending the basic civil liberties of all Americans.

Date: Wednesday, February 19
Time: 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Location: Hinson Campus Center, Conference Rooms A&B

Featured Speakers

  • Poet, Editor, Brian Komei Dempster – Brian is a USF professor and has helped former internees write about their experiences in the camps. His publications include, From Our Side of the Fence: Growing up in America's Concentration Camps and has a collection, recently published, of his own poetry about the internment experience entitled Topaz. He will be accompanied by two former internees and authors.

  • Authors Elaine Elinson and Stan Yogi – Elaine and Stan co-authored Wherever There’s a Fight: How Runaway Slaves, Suffragists, Immigrants, Strikers, and Poets Shaped Civil Liberties in California. Both are former staff members of the ACLU of Northern California, as well as accomplished writers and editors.

  • Samina Faheem – Samina represents American Muslim Voice in the San José area, an organization that promotes deeper understanding of the Muslim American experience through open dialogue and discussion.

Event flyer

For more information, contact Tom Izu at 408.864.8986 or by e-mail at izutom@deanza.edu.

Sponsors: California History Center. Funding provided by the DASB.

Accessibility: The event is wheelchair accessible. Sign language interpreter or other accommodations available upon request 5 business days prior to event.

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