JACL Weekly Digest

June 10, 2025

JACL National News

2025 JACL National Convention

General Registration is Available Now!

Join us this Summer in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from July 17th through 20th for an exciting convention as we celebrate local and national communities coming together with "Voices in Unity!" 

2025 Sayonara Gala Memorial Video

The JACL Membership Department aims to share more member stories, including those who have passed. At the Sayonara Gala, we will play a short and sweet celebration of life video. Our goal is to give everyone attending the Gala a chance to recognize a loved one or dear friend in the spirit of Okage Same De (I am who I am thanks to you).  Please also share any JACL/JA community leaders that you would like to feature.

JACL Denounces Continued Attacks on Immigrants

Take Action Against the Alien Enemies Act!

Learn More at the Alien Enemies Act Landing Page on the JACL Website

President Trump has now invoked the Alien Enemies Act to target Venezuelan immigrants and already used it to arrest and deport hundreds of people without any due process, only specious accusations based on tattoos and social media posts, but not necessarily actual evidence of criminal activity.

The Supreme Court infamously affirmed the right of the government to take actions to preserve the security of our nation in the cases of Hirabayashi, Korematsu, and Yasui, while also affirming the right to due process in the case of ex parte Endo. The Alien Enemies Act deprives people of that constitutional right to due process affirmed by the Supreme Court.

Together, we can ensure that "Never Again" is more than a promise. Contact your members of Congress and urge them to oppose the President's use of the Alien Enemies Act and co-sponsor the Neighbors Not Enemies Act to repeal the Alien Enemies Act.  

You can also learn more about the Alien Enemies Act, the new JACL Alien Enemies Act Fund, hear stories of people who were subjected to the AEA in WWII, and more at our Alien Enemies Act landing page.  Click the button below or visit jacl.org/alien-enemies-act

2025-26 Mike Masaoka Fellowship Applications Open Now!

Priority Deadline: July 7, 2025, at 11:59 PM HST.

Tentative Start Date: Early October 2025. Fellowship term for this cycle will be dependent on the office placement, with an additional month to support the JACL National Convention.

JACL Chapters News

If any JACL Chapters would like to submit stories or events to the Weekly Digest, please send inquiries to Education Programs Manager, Matthew Weisbly at mweisbly@jacl.org

Berkeley JACL Launches $30,000 Civil Liberties Protection and Advancement Grant

The Berkeley Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is proud to announce the launch of its Civil Liberties Protection and Advancement Grant, an initiative to support nonprofit organizations working to uphold and defend the civil and human rights of all people.

The Berkeley JACL established this special grant opportunity in recognition of the historical injustices suffered by Japanese Americans and all devalued communities. With a grant award of up to $30,000, this program aims to fund initiatives that preserve constitutional rights and prevent the repetition of past governmental abuses.

“As survivors and descendants of more than 125,000 people incarcerated during WWII without due process, we feel a profound responsibility to uphold democratic ideals,” said Nancy Ukai and Sandra Doi, Co-Presidents of the Berkeley JACL. “This grant program is a tangible way to advance that commitment.”

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply. The grant can support community-wide projects, coalition efforts, and civil liberties work that align with the JACL's mission. Political campaign activities will not be considered.

Key Dates:

Application Opens: May 29

Application Deadline: June 27

Full application instructions and requirements are available by request or through the Berkeley JACL's website. https://tinyurl.com/BerkeleyJACL

Puyallup Valley JACL Awarded by City of Tacoma in Honor of Remembrance Gallery

On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the Puyallup Valley Chapter was awarded the City of Tacoma, WA, Outstanding Achievement in Broadening Perspectives in Preservation, for its Remembrance Gallery at the Washington State Fairgrounds. 

This recognition was given by the Tacoma Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Before WWII, the site was known as the Puyallup Fairgrounds, but in 1942, it became the largest temporary American concentration camp in the State of Washington.

Opening in September of 2024, over 17,000 guests have visited the Gallery in just 32 fair days.

We will reopen on August 30, 2025, the start of this Fall Fair season.

We thank the City of Tacoma for its acknowledgement of this tragic chapter in American history.

Pictured is Jay Baersten, Landmarks Historic Preservation Commission

Sharon Sobie Seymour, Puyallup Valley member and Gallery manager

Eileen Yamada Lamphere, Puyallup Valley President

Liz Dunbar, Puyallup Valley Secretary and Gallery Fundraising Lead

San Diego JACL Monthly Virtual Dialogue June 2025

Write the Wrongs - Neighbors Not Enemies Learning and Letter Writing Event 

Join Berkeley JACL for an afternoon of tea and homemade dessert while learning about the repeal of the Alien Enemies Act and other social justice advocacy efforts, followed by letter writing and petition signing! Bring your smart phone or laptop! 

From Our Partners

Sam Mihara to present at Jackson Center of the Arts, in Jackson, WY

Sam Mihara, who was incarcerated at Heart Mountain as a child, will give his nationally recognized lecture at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 12 in the Center Theater at the Jackson, Wyo., Center of the Arts. 

Tickets for the event will cost $18, while online viewers can watch the presentation at home for $5 here: https://thecenterjh.ticketspice.com/panel-on-the-lessons-from-the-wwii-japanese-american-incarceration

Mihara's presentation on the Japanese American incarceration during World War II led to him being named the 51st Jefferson Lecturer by the National Endowment for the Humanities. He gave the initial lecture on Feb. 26 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

While incarcerated, Mihara watched his father go blind because he was denied access to his eye doctors in California and witnessed the death of his grandfather because of mistreated cancer. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and spent 40 years as a rocket scientist for the Boeing Co.

Now 92, Mihara started traveling the country to lecture about the incarceration in 2011 and has spoken in person to more than 100,000 people. He received the 2018 Paul A. Gagnon Prize for his work from the National Council for History Education and was named the Japanese American of the Biennium by the Japanese American Citizens League in 2022.

A panel discussion, Lessons from the WWII Japanese American Incarceration, will follow Mihara’s presentation. He will be joined by Heart Mountain Executive Director Aura Sunada Newlin and board members Shirley Ann Higuchi, Douglas Nelson, and Peter Simpson.

The Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation preserves the site where some 14,000 Japanese Americans were unjustly incarcerated in Wyoming from 1942 through 1945. Their stories are told within the foundation’s museum, Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, located between Cody and Powell. For more information, call the center at (307) 754-8000 or email info@heartmountain.org.

2025 Pilgrimage Events

2025 Heart Mountain Pilgrimage - July 24th to 26th

Eighty years ago, the unjust incarceration of over 14,000 Japanese Americans at Heart Mountain finally came to an end. Yet, the lessons of this dark chapter in history are more relevant than ever. Join us at the 2025 Heart Mountain Pilgrimage as we honor the stories of incarceration, uplift the voices of incarcerees and their descendants, and fortify our community’s strength.

This year’s Pilgrimage will be a powerful gathering, designed to inspire hope and resilience for future generations. Featured events include the premiere of Hello Maggie!, the stamping of the Ireichō, the debut of a compelling short film exploring cultural connections to Heart Mountain, multigenerational discussion groups, a transformative art healing workshop, and the ever-popular Sayonara Banquet.

Come be part of this unforgettable experience—because remembering the past is the key to shaping a just future.

Crystal City Rising: Neighbors not Enemies - October 9-12th

The Crystal City Pilgrimage Committee has opened registration for the 2025 pilgrimage taking place October 9-12 in Texas. This year’s Pilgrimage theme is “Crystal City Rising - Neighbors Not Enemies.” In addition to learning about the unique history and stories of survivors of the Crystal City Concentration Camp, this year’s Pilgrimage will frame many of our programs through the lens of present-day attacks on immigrant communities. The event will include a visit to the site of the former prison camp in Crystal City, and a multi-day educational conference taking place in San Antonio.  

The registration fee costs $395.00 per person, which covers bus transportation from the hotel in San Antonio to Crystal City, pilgrimage-related meals, and other related pilgrimage costs. Registration can be completed using the online form at tinyurl.com/2025CCP. For questions about registration or assistance with the form, please email: info@crystalcitypilgrimage.org

Conference programs will be held at the DoubleTree San Antonio Airport Hotel (611 NW Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78216), which has a special group rate of $119.00 per night plus taxes for both single and double rooms for the duration of the event. Pilgrimage attendees can book online at tinyurl.com/2025CCPhotel using the discount code “CCP.” Hotel bookings can also be made by calling 1-888-728-3031 under the group name “Crystal City Pilgrimage.” 

2025 Poston Pilgrimage - October 24th and 25th!

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