PUSD Celebrates Fred T. Korematsu Day, January 30

Fred Korematsu (Photo – en.wikipedia.org).

Current California law designates a number of days as having special significance, when public schools are encouraged to observe and conduct suitable commemorative exercises as specified.

By Laura Hackett

Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring January 30, 2021, as Fred Korematsu Day in the State of California.   PUSD recognizes that “the battle for civil liberties has been championed by ordinary Americans who have had the courage to stand up and fight for their basic Constitutional rights. Fred Korematsu, an ordinary citizen of Pasadena, was convicted because he chose to defy the evacuation orders based on Executive Order 9066, which led to the incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. Mr. Korematsu’s conviction was ultimately overturned in 1984, a decision that influenced the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which recognized the grave injustice caused by the incarceration of the Japanese Americans due to wartime prejudice”.

If you would like to join in a special celebration of the 10^th anniversary of the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution taking place January 30 at 3:00 pm, click the following link to register:

LACOE and PUSD want to equip students to become civically engaged to advance racial equity, social justice and human rights for all.