The Fred Korematsu Day 2013 season was incredible! The Korematsu Institute worked with organizations across the country to put on a national calendar of events. Below is a list of roughly 30 events in 12 states! The events in Hawaii and Utah were particularly historic, because the Governors in those states proclaimed Korematsu Day on January 30th, 2013, and attended our celebrations in person!
Want to see your state on this map? Email us and we’ll help you brainstorm what you can do to commemorate Korematsu Day, and share the story of this inspiring American hero.
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Korematsu Institute Flagship Event:
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SAN FRANCISCO Sunday, January 27, 2013 Korematsu Institute Fred Korematsu Day “Heroes” celebration WHEN: 1:00pm VIP reception with honorees, 2:30-4:30pm program WHERE: Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102 WHAT: The Korematsu Institute celebrates Fred Korematsu Day 2013 by honoring 16 American civil rights heroes who’ve been long overlooked. This will be a historic gathering of civil rights heroes and the descendants of heroes who have passed on. The event also features celebrity emcee DANNY GLOVER, as well as a special performance by American Idol star JASMINE TRIAS. TICKETS: Available for purchase here $100 VIP reception with honorees + program admission $25 program general admission $10 senior (65+)/student admission WEB SITE: http://FredKorematsuDayHeroes.org FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: http://bit.ly/kdayheroesfb MORE INFO: info@korematsuinstitute.org or call 415-848-7737 FLYER: Download the flyer here |
Events organized by other community organizations, with support from the Korematsu Institute (listed in alphabetical order of state):
ARIZONA: inaugural events!
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TEMPE
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Korematsu Institute Educator Reception and Workshop with Karen Korematsu Time: 5:00-8:00 PM
Location: Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park, Tempe, AZ Program: Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to meet the daughter of civil rights activist Fred Korematsu, sample grades K-12 curriculum from the Korematsu Institute’s Teacher Kit, and tour the AHS Museum’s Arizona on the Homefront WWII Exhibit. Light appetizers will be served. Cost: $8 pre-registered / $10 at the door
Sponsored by: Rhodes Junior High Social Studies Club, Arizona Historical Society Museum, Tempe, Arizona Asian American Association (AAAA), Phoenix Chapter, Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), Arizona Chapter, Japanese American Citizen’s League (JACL), Private donor
Registration: http://www.mpsaz.org/
Contact: Jeannine Kuropatkin, jkuropat@mpsaz.org
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MESA Friday, January 18, 2013 Student Assemblies with Karen Korematsu Location: Rhodes Jr. High World Studies Academy, Mesa, AZ Time: From 9:05-10:45 AM, Ms Korematsu will engage our students as guest speaker for two back-to-back “Civil Rights” Assemblies during which she will share her personal recollections of her father’s fight for civil liberties through his experience of defying the US government’s orders during WWII to report to the Japanese American Internment Camps, the famous Korematsu v US Supreme Court case, to the overturning of his conviction 40 years later in US Federal Appeals Court, and awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton in 1998. Ms Korematsu will then connect her father’s social activism to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960′s and to MLK and the upcoming holiday that celebrates the legacies of civil rights heroes such as her father. From 10:45 AM-Noon, Ms. Korematsu will visit individual 8th grade Social Studies classes. In this more intimate setting, Ms. Korematsu will afford our students the opportunity to engage in more personal Q & A sessions regarding her father’s life story. Sponsored by: Rhodes Jr. High Social Studies Club, Mesa Martin Luther King Committee, Arizona Asian American Association (AAAA), A private donor. Contact: Jeannine Kuropatkin, jkuropat@mpsaz.org |
ARKANSAS – inaugural event!
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POCAHONTAS Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Time: 12:30-2:00pm Location: Black River Technical College, Community Conference Room of the Gaines Technology Center, 1410 Highway 304 East Pocahontas, AR 72455 Program: BRTC will host a special event focusing on the World War II Japanese American camps in southeast Arkansas. The observance will feature a special film screening preview of “Relocation: Arkansas” and will include a presentation by the filmmaker, Vivienne Schiffer of Houston, Texas. Schiffer’s mother, Rosalie Gould, former mayor of McGehee, near the site of Rohwer Relocation Center in Desha County. Gould is a longtime advocate and activist in efforts to preserve the two Arkansas camps. Contact: Dr. Jan Ziegler, janz@blackrivertech.org |
CALIFORNIA – NORTHERN
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HAYWARD Tuesday, January 22, 2013 Time: 9:15am-1:20pm Location: Cherryland Elementary School, 585 Willow Ave., Hayward, CA Program: This event is closed to the public. Students are engaged in a project called “The Heroes Among Us,” focusing on the everyday heroes who seldom get noticed or recognized. As a kickoff to the project, students are learning about Mr. Korematsu and inviting Karen Korematsu to speak about the everyday heroism of her father. Sponsored by: the 6th grade teachers of Cherryland Elementary Contact: Corrie Littlejohn. School number: (510) 723-3810 |
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OAKLAND Tuesday, January 22, 2013 Location: Lighthouse Community Charter School, 444 Hegenberger Rd., Oakland, CA Time: 9:30am-10:15am Program: Lightkeeper’s Meeting school assembly – This event is closed to the public. Students in kindergarten through 4th grade will learn about Oakland native Fred Korematsu’s story, the day that bears his name and the Japanese American internment through a video message from Karen Korematsu and a presentation from Korematsu Institute Education Coordinator Tim Huey Sponsored by: Lighthouse Community Charter School Contact: Sam Humphrey, school main line: 510-562-8801 |
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SAN JOSE Saturday, January 26, 2013 Location: Japanese American Museum of San Jose, 535 N 5th Street, San Jose Time: 1:00-3:00pm Program: Dangerous Parallels – American Muslims Today and the Echoes of WWII Injustice. Featuring panelists Zahra Billoo (Executive Director of CAIR-SFBA), Tom Izu (Executive Director of the California History Center & Foundation at DeAnza College), with Masao Suzuki (long-time activist with the Nihonmachi Outreach Committee and the South Bay Committee Against Political Repression) as facilitator. Will also feature a screening of the documentary film “Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story” (24 minutes) Cost: Free with admission to the museum (non-members, $5; students and seniors over age 65, $3; JAMsj members and children under 12, free) Sponsored by: Japanese American Museum of San Jose, Council on American-Islamic Relations – San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA) Contact: Reserve your seat by emailing PublicPrograms@jamsj.org or calling (408) 294-3138 Event web site |
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STANFORD Saturday, January 26, 2013 National Security, Foreign Policy and Immigration panel at Bay Area Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (BAAPALSA) 2013 Conference Location: 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, CA 94305 Time: 1:15-2:45pm Registration: $15 Program: It’s been almost 70 years since the Hirabayashi v. United States and Korematsu v. United States cases. How has the political climate towards immigration changed in the last half century, and how can we learn lessons for the future from the past? Sponsored by: BAAPALSA Contact: Christina Yang, cyang26@stanford.edu, (860) 922-0871 Web site: http://baapalsa2013.com/panels-2/ |
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SAN FRANCISCO Sunday, January 27, 2013 Korematsu Institute Fred Korematsu Day “Heroes” celebration Location: Herbst Theater, San Francisco, CA Time: 1:00pm VIP reception with honorees, 2:30-4:30pm program. Tickets: TBA Program: The Korematsu Institute honors 16 long overlooked American civil rights heroes. Many of the living heroes, as well as the descendants of the heroes who have passed, will attend the event in person. Sponsored by: Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education Contact: info@korematsuinstitute.org, 415-848-7737 |
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OAKLAND Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Our Civil Rights: the Power of Words Time: 5:00-7:00pm Location: Korematsu Discovery Academy, 10315 E Street Oakland, CA 94603 Program: featuring student essays, poems, plays and songs Sponsored by: Korematsu Discovery Academy Contact: lavaughn.hendrix@ousd.k12.ca.us, (510) 639-3377 |
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DAVIS Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Time: 6:00-7:45pm Location: Fred T. Korematsu Elementary School, 3100 Loyola Drive, Davis, CA 95618 Program: This year, our evening program will consist of our school choir leading us in the school song and a performance by “Live Oakes Educational Theater” about the life story of another famous civil rights activist: Dr. Martin Luther King (with student stars!). These performances will be held in the MPR from 6-7pm. Then from 7pm to 7:45pm, students and their families are invited to participate in our hands on activity stations that will be held around campus, have their activity passports stamped and receive a small prize at the end of the night. Please mark your calendars and come join us for this wonderful evening devoted to Fred T. Korematsu. Sponsored by: Korematsu Elementary School Contact: Wes Hardaker, wes@korematsupto.org |
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ALAMEDA Wednesday, January 30, 2013 AMCC Diversity Film Series: “Of Civil Wrongs and Rights The Fred Korematsu Story” Time: 6:00-8:00pm Location: Alameda Multicultural Community Center, 1900 Third St., Portable #30, Alameda, CA 94501. Enter on Brush St. at Third. Location is 3 blocks from bus line #31. Program: As part of the Alameda Multicultural Community Center’s Diversity Film Series, this will be a screening of the Emmy award-winning film by Eric Paul Fournier and Ken Korematsu, “Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story” followed by a discussion of the film. Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by: The Alameda Multicultural Community Center Contact:Carlos at amcc@alamedamulticultural.org or call 510-355-6984 |
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SAN LEANDRO Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Time: Various times Location: Korematsu freshman campus at San Leandro High School, 13701 Bancroft Ave., San Leandro, CA 94577 Program: English teachers are using Korematsu Teaching Kits (from the Korematsu Institute) to talk to students about Mr. Korematsu’s story and how it connects to current racism. Students will describe inspirational people in their lives, such as Fred Korematsu. Students may also participate in a poster contest. Information about Mr. Korematsu will be displayed on campus and broadcast on the school’s intercom. Sponsored by: San Leandro High School Contact: Lori Watson, lwatson@sanleandro.k12.ca.us |
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HUMBOLDT Thursday, January 31, 2013 Humboldt State University Fred Korematsu Day event Time: 4:00pm-8:00pm Location: Kate Buchanan Room, Humboldt State University Program: 4:00 – 4:15 – Welcome & Introduction of Fred Korematsu 4:15 – 5:30 – Documentary: “Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story” 5:30 – 6:45 – Documentary: “Searchlight Serenade” & Amy’s animation 6:45 – 7:30 – Panel with survivors, Naomi Inouye Meyer, Aiko & Edwin Uyeki Please join us for this historical, awe-inspiring event! Sponsored by: The Multi-Cultural Center & Associated Students |
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SAN FRANCISCO Wednesday, February 6, 2013 Golden Gate University Law School Fred Korematsu Day event Time: 12:00-1:00pm Location: Golden Gate University, Room 2203 Program: WWII Japanese Internments: Can It Happen Again? GGU’s Asian Pacific American Law Student Association & South Asian Middle Eastern Law Student Association proudly invite you to join us in celebrating the legacy of Fred T. Korematsu, a national civil rights hero and the first Asian-American to be commemorated with a holiday in the state of California. The arguments that the government made in justifying the internments of Japanese Americans, are not surprisingly, the same arguments being made to support the detainment of Middle Easterners & Muslims in the U.S. Come learn what kinds of practices the U.S. government is still able to justify and what the legal implications of Fred Korematsu’s case are today. The panel includes Karen Korematsu, Fred Korematsu’s daughter, Robert Rusky, one of the attorneys from the 1983 coram nobis legal team, and Nasrina Bargzie, a Civil Rights & National Security staff attorney at the Asian Law Caucus. The event will be moderated by Constitutional Law expert Professor Peter Keane. Lunch will be served. This is a free event, however, registration required. Sponsored by: Golden Gate University Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, South Asian Law Students Association Contact: Yunah Rha (APALSA) yunahrha@gmail.com, Tejal Naik (SALSA) tejalnaik@gmail.com |
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FOSTER CITY Sunday, February 10, 2013 Fred Korematsu Day table at Foster City Public Library Lunar New Year event Time: 11:00am-3:00pm Location: Foster City Parks & Recreation Center, Lagoon Room, 650 Shell Blvd, Foster City CA 94404 Event flyer Contact : Gina Kuo, gina@cceusa.org |
CALIFORNIA – SOUTHERN
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PASADENA Saturday, January 26, 2013 Location: McKinley School Auditorium, 325 S. Oak Knoll, Pasadena, CA (Free parking across the street) Time: 10:00am-12:00pm (registration at 9:30am) Program: Featuring opening remarks by Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogard, a talk by Karen Korematsu, a screening of the documentary “Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: the Fred Korematsu Story,” a Tule Lake presentation by Yukio Kawaratani, a photo exhibit of internment photo by Stone Ishimaru. Light refreshments will be provided. US Congresswoman Judy Chu and California Senator Carol Liu are scheduled to attend. Facebook page Event flyer Sponsored by: Pasadena Unified School District and Wow! Event Productions. Supporters: City of Pasadena, Pasadena City College
Contact: Wendy Anderson, wowproductions2@earthlink.net, 626-683-8243. |
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TORRANCE Saturday, January 26, 2013 Location: Main meeting room, Katy Geissert Library, Torrance, CA Time: 2:00-4:00pm Program: The program will begin with the 24-minute version of the film “Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: the Fred Korematsu Story.” Karen Korematsu, daughter of Fred Korematsu and co-founder of the Korematsu Institute will then speak, following by a Q&A discussion. The Torrance Korematsu event is being sponsored by the South Bay, Torrance and GLAS Chapters of JACL plus the Japanese American Historical Society of Southern California.
Download the flyer here.
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SAN DIEGO Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Location: SDSU Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center Ballroom, 5500 Campanile Dr. Time: 6pm Program: Commemorating the annual Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution. Speakers will include Greg Marutani, National JACL Education Chairman, Casey Tanaka, Mayor of the City of Coronado, David Loy, legal director ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, and David Kawamoto, immediate past National President JACL. Fred Korematsu challanged Executive Order 9066 which forcibly placed Japanese Americans into internment camps during World War II. Freedom of Information Act findings by Professor Peter Irons of UCSD led to re-opening his Supreme Court case. In 1988 he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton. Free event. Sponsored by: Nikkei Student Union Aztecs and the San Diego Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League Flyer: click here Contact: Mitsuo Tomita, mitsuo@cox.net |
FLORIDA: second annual event!
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GAINESVILLE Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Time: TBA Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Program: Discussion group event talking about Mr. Korematsu’s story and legacy and implications today. Sponsored by: Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs at the University of Florida Contact: Leah Villanueva, LMV@multicultural.ufl.edu, 352-392-1217, ext 266 |
HAWAII: Inaugural events!
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HONOLULU Saturday, January 12, 2013 Time: 8:30am – 4:30pm Location: Chaminade University of Honolulu, Henry Hall 207 Program: Korematsu Teacher’s Workshop open to middle and high school teachers from private, public and charter schools, with some travel stipends available for teachers from the neighbor islands. Sponsored by: Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities, Chaminade History Center, Hawai‘i State Department of Education, Fred T. Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education, Richardson School of Law Fred Korematsu Professor of Law and Social Justice, and the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. Contact: For further information or to register, contact Jane Murao at the Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities at 732-5402 ext 2 or jmurao@hihumanities.org. |
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HONOLULU Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Inaugural Hawaii Fred Korematsu Day celebration – Daytime event Location: USS Arizona, Valor in the Pacific Time: 10:00am-2:30pm Tickets: Free of charge Program: In May 2012, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie proclaimed January 30, 2013 as Fred Korematsu Day in the state of Hawaii! Program features Valor in the Pacific superintendent, Lt. Governor Brian Schatz, Karen Korematsu, free screenings of ”Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: the Fred Korematsu Story” Sponsored by: The Hawaii Fred Korematsu Day committee Facebook event page |
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HONOLULU Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Inaugural Hawaii Fred Korematsu Day celebration – Evening event Location: Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, 2454 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii Time: 5:00pm-7:30pm Tickets: Free of charge Program: In May 2012, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie proclaimed January 30, 2013 as Fred Korematsu Day in the state of Hawaii! Program features Governor Neil Abercrombie, Senator Will Espero, Karen Korematsu, Helene Minehara, Nicole Verdadero, Randall Watt, a screening of ”The Constitution and the Camps,” Carole Hayashino, Eric Yamamoto, William Kaneko, Ted Tsukiyama, Ashley Obrey, Dina Shek Sponsored by: The Hawaii Fred Korematsu Day committee Facebook event page |
ILLINOIS: Inaugural event!
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CHICAGO Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Location: Loyola School of Law, University of Chicago, CLC, 25E Pearson, Ceremonial Courtroom, 10th floor, Rm 1040 Time: 12-1pm Program: Lunchtime film screening and discussion. Reflections by Rabya Khan, Council for American-Islamic Relations Chicago and Bill Yoshino, Midwest Director of Japanese American Citizens League Event flyer Sponsored by: AAI,CAIR-Chicago, JACL, NLG-TUPOCC Student group sponsors: ACS, APALSA, BLSA, LLSA, MLSA, NLG Contact: Andy Kang, AKang@aaichicago.org |
MASSACHUSETTS: inaugural event!
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BOSTON Thursday, January 31, 2013 Location: Boston College Law School Time: 12:30pm Program: Lunchtime film screening Sponsored by: Boston College Law Asian Pacific American Law Students Association Contact: Joe Le, anjoele@gmail.com |
MICHIGAN: inaugural events!
 Pictured (left to right): Mary Kamidoi, Frances Kai Hwa Wang, Ling Woo Liu, Ron Aramaki, Roland Hwang, Dr. Daniel Krichbaum. Photo courtesy of Roland Hwang. |
TROY Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Location: Troy High School, 4777 Northfield Parkway, Troy, MI 48098 Time: 12:08pm-1:10pm Please note: Program commemorating the Governor of Michigan’s certificate recognizing Fred Korematsu. This is a closed event open only to social studies classes at Troy High, invited guests and members of the media. The principal of the school, Mark Dziatczak, welcomed the speakers, along with approximately 100 Troy High students who attended the event. The Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, Dr. Daniel Krichbaum, presented the Governor’s certificate of recognition for Mr. Korematsu. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion that featured 1) Roland Hwang, lecturer for Asian Pacific Islander America History and Law at the University of Michigan 2) Ling Woo Liu, director of the Korematsu Institute 3) Ron Aramaki, lecturer for Asian Pacific Islander American History and Law at the University of Michigan 4) Mary Kamidoi, Treasurer of American Citizens for Justice and former internee at Rohwer, AR internment camp 5) Frances Kai Hwa Wang, lecturer for Asian Pacific Islander American History and Law at the University of Michigan. Sponsored by: Michigan Asian Pacific Affairs Commission, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, Troy High School Contact: Roland Hwang hwangr@aol.com, Jen Hilzinger jenhilzinger@mac.com |
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ANN ARBOR Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Location: University of Michigan Law School Hutchins Hall Room 120 Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm Program: Screening of documentary “Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: the Fred Korematsu Story,” talk by Korematsu Institute director Ling Woo Liu Sponsored by: University of Michigan Law Asian Pacific American Law Students Association Contact: Mimi Yang, mmyang@umich.edu, Matthew Muma, muma@umich.edu |
NEW YORK: Inaugural event!
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ITHACA Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Time: 7:00pm Location: Cornell University, WSH, 301 Bear’s Den Program: “My Movement, Our Movement: Observing Fred Korematsu Day.” Come, learn, and celebrate the legacy of Fred Korematsu! This year’s program will begin with a screening of the Emmy award-winning film by Eric Paul Fournier and Ken Korematsu, “Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story” followed by a panel of campus community members reflecting on Korematsu’s push for civil liberties through his acts of defiance. Refreshments will be served. Check out the marquis outside of WSH wishing Cornell a happy Fred Korematsu Day! Web site Sponsored by: Diversity, Dean of Students Contact: Patricia Nguyen, pcn29@cornell.edu, 6072553869 |
TEXAS: Inaugural event!
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HOUSTON Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Time: TBA Location: John Marshall Middle School, 1115 Noble, Houston, Texas 77009 Program: for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students Contact: Donna Harris, DHARRIS4@houstonisd.org |
UTAH: Inaugural event!
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SALT LAKE CITY Friday, January 18, 2013 Time: 1:15pm Location: Utah State Capital, Salt Lake City, UT Program: Utah Governor Gary Herbert will proclaim Fred Korematsu Day in Utah for January 30, 2013. Featuring remarks by former Salt Lake County Councilmember Jani Iwamoto, Korematsu Institute director Ling Woo Liu, Topaz Museum board director Jane Beckwith, JACL-Salt Lake City co-president Jeanette Misaka Contact: |
