CAPAC Members Observe Day of Remembrance for Japanese American Incarceration

First photo: Exclusion Order posted to direct Japanese-Americans living in the U.S. to evacuate. Second photo: First graders of Japanese ancestry (Photos -commons.wikimedia.org).

WASHINGTON, D.C. — ColoradoBoulevard.net:

On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced removal and incarceration of over 120,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry during World War II.

By News Desk

This day is recognized annually in the Japanese American community as the Day of Remembrance, and was recognized in 2022 by President Biden who called the order “one of the most shameful chapters in our Nation’s history.”

Here are selected statements from members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) in observance of this day:

CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28)

“This Sunday marks the 81^st anniversary of President Roosevelt’s signing of Executive Order 9066, which led to the wrongful incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese Americans on the basis of xenophobia and racism. This Day of Remembrance continues to be significant as xenophobia and fearmongering are once again leading to anti-Asian hate and racist policies which infringe on the civil rights of Americans. I am proud that over three decades ago, Congress passed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 to formally apologize and provide redress to Japanese Americans who were racially targeted and stripped of their rights. However, we as a nation must continue to recognize this shameful part of our country’s history to ensure that we do not repeat the mistakes of our past.”

CAPAC Whip Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36)

“February 19, 2023 marks 81 years since President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which began a dark period of American history where Japanese Americans were unjustly incarcerated en masse. Fueled by xenophobia and racism, American authorities imprisoned more than 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II in an egregious violation of American values and our Constitution. As violence against the Asian American community continues following the COVID-19 pandemic, this Day of Remembrance reminds us that it is our responsibility to ensure that the horrific crimes committed against Japanese Americans can never happen again to any American.”