That's the theme for the Chicago Japanese American community's annual Day of Remembrance this year.
The Day of Remembrance recognizes the day, February 19, 1942 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 calling for the incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans during WWII.
Every year, the Japanese American community in Chicago comes together to commemorate EO9066 as a reminder of the fragility of civil liberties in times of crisis and the importance of remaining vigilant in protecting the rights and freedoms of all.
Today's virtual event featured an address from writer John Tateishi and Evanston's 5th ward Alderman Robin Rue Simmons.
Tateishi was the Japanese American Citizen's League (JACL)'s Redress Director, developing the organization’s redress strategy, and Executive Director, guiding the organization’s response to 9/11 and anti-Muslim violence.
Ald. Rue Simmons introduced and helped pass the nation’s first reparations bill, which uses cannabis taxes to address historic and ongoing anti-Black racial discrimination.
Following the presentations, Josina Morita, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, led a follow-up discussion.
Watch the event here!
