FRED KOREMATSU DAY
Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution honors the legacy of civil rights hero Fred T. Korematsu and his fight for racial equity, social justice, and human rights for all.
On this day, and every other day of the year, we hope that his story of perseverance in the face of adversity inspires others become more civically involved and to “stand up for what is right.”
On this page
– Why honor Fred Korematsu?
– How can you honor Fred’s legacy?
– Where is Fred Korematsu Day recognized?
– Where can you learn more?
Why honor Fred Korematsu?
Fred Korematsu was an American civil rights activist who stood up to the U.S. government’s wrongful incarceration of over 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast during WWII. Even though Fred was vilified and ostracized by his Japanese American community and had no support from his family, he was not afraid to speak up. He knew the government had violated the civil rights of thousands of its citizens and immigrants when it forced them to leave their homes and live in remote incarcerations camps.
After disobeying the government’s orders, Fred spent over two years in various prisons and wartime incarceration sites.
I didn’t feel guilty because I didn’t do anything wrong… Every day in school, we said the pledge of the flag, ‘with liberty and justice for all,’ and I believed all that. I was an American citizen, and I had as many rights as anyone else. [1]
Fred’s case went all the way to the Supreme Court. In 1944, the court ruled against Fred, claiming that the incarceration was a “military necessity.” Even more than the fact that he now carried a federal conviction, he was devastated that the court validated the government’s complete disregard of his community’s civil liberties.
It took nearly forty years, but Fred’s conviction was finally overturned in the ninth circuit court of appeals. Several years later, the government issued apologies and reparations to remaining camp survivors. In 1998, President Bill Clinton awarded Fred the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States.
Fred never gave up hope during all that time. Amazingly, he was never bitter or angry. He remained firm in his commitment to community and this country. He treated everyone else the way he wanted to be treated and lived by his moral principles of right and wrong.
Fred was an ordinary citizen who believed in our constitutional rights and was not afraid to speak up in the face of adversity. With Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution, we honor his sacrifice and determination to uphold justice for all people in this country.
How can you honor Fred’s legacy?
How can you honor Fred’s legacy?
• Get your influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, encourage others to get theirs, and volunteer to help more people do the same. Getting vaccinated protects you AND your community. Help keep to our communities safe and stop the spread.
• Check that your voting information is up to date. Every election is vital. Make sure your voice is heard by registering to vote or finding polling locations and important dates in your state by visiting APIAVote.org.
• Make a tax-deductible donation to the Korematsu Institute to support our urgent initiatives such as our national traveling exhibit, “Am I An American Or Am I Not?,”and accompanying programming, including educator resources and community events. You can learn more or find ways to partner with us on our exhibit microsite: https://www.amianamerican.org
• If Fred Korematsu Day is not recognized in your state (see list below), petition your elected officials to put forth legislation for consideration. Contact us at info@korematsuinstitute.org for more information.
Where is Fred Korematsu Day recognized?
In 2010, the Governor of California signed the legislative bill establishing Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution on January 30 in perpetuity. It is the first statewide day in U.S. history named after an Asian American.
Since 2010 Hawaii, Virginia, Florida, New York City, Arizona, New Jersey, and now Michigan have also established a day of recognition every year in honor of Fred Korematsu’s fight for justice and the importance of upholding our civil liberties and the Constitution. In October 2023, Dr. Karen Korematsu testified in support of House Bill H3119 designating Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution on January 30 in perpetuity in Massachusetts.
The Fred T. Korematsu Institute is leading efforts to recognize Fred Korematsu in other states and also achieve a national Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution to honor his legacy as a civil rights hero for all Americans.
Recognized in perpetuity:
– California – bill signed in 2010
– Hawai’i – bill signed in 2013
– Virginia – bill signed in 2015
– Florida – bill signed in 2015
– New York City – bill signed in 2018
– Arizona – bill signed in 2022
– New Jersey – bill signed in 2023
– Michigan – bill signed in 2023
Recognized by Proclamation:
– Utah – issued 2013
– Illinois – issued 2014
– Georgia – issued 2014
– South Carolina – issued 2015
– Pennsylvania – issued 2014
– Michigan – issued in 2014, 2015
Recognized by Proclamation:
– Utah – issued 2013
– Illinois – issued 2014
– Georgia – issued 2014
– South Carolina – issued 2015
– Pennsylvania – issued 2014
– Michigan – issued in 2014, 2015
Legislative Bills in Committee:
– Massachusett
2024 Fred Korematsu Day event at Cal Poly Humboldt: The 2024 event theme will be Resilience & Recovery, focusing on our Japanese-American community and cross solidarity with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. Wednesday, January, 31, 2024, 4 – 6 PM PST Learn more: TICKETS: https://www.humboldt.edu/events/diversity-inclusion?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D1050128296
2024 Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution at Asian Law Alliance. Join us on Saturday, January 27, 2024, as we honor the life and works of Fred T. Korematsu! Learn more: TICKETS : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fred-t-korematsu-day-of-civil-liberties-and-the-constitution-tickets-772031355567
Show Me The Way To Go Home by photographers Sandy Sugawara and Catiana Garcia Kilroy tells the story of each Japanese American incarceration camp through original photographs, personal stories, and government documents. The foreword was written by Dr. Karen Korematsu. Learn more: BOOK : https://www.showmethewaytogotohome.com/
Who is Fred Korematsu and Why is He an American Hero?: Lesson Plan | And Then They Came for Us PBS Learning Media & Lesson Plans: LESSON PLANS & TIMELINE : https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/who-fred-korematsu-why-american-hero-lesson-plan/and-then-they-came-for-us-korematsu-institute/
December 18, 1944. What if the Supreme Court Gets It Wrong? Listen to Dr. Karen Korematsu and the team at Radiolab revisit the Korematsu v. United States case here: https://bit.ly/3NuKAzm
In January 2023, Governor Phil Murphy established January 30 as the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution in New Jersey. 2023 Fred Korematsu Day Bill: New Jersey
In May 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 18, which designates January 30 of each year as “Fred Korematsu Day.” Fred Korematsu Day Bill: Michigan
In October 2023, Dr. Karen Korematsu and others testified at the Massachusetts State House Committee meeting on the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regularity Oversight in support of House Bill H3119 designating Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution on January 30 in perpetuity in Massachusetts. Watch here: VIDEO :https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/4711/Video