JACL Weekly Digest

June 17, 2025

NOTE: JACL Offices will be closed this Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. 

JACL National News

2025 JACL National Convention

General Registration is Available Now! Prices increase on July 1!

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 - Submit by Sunday, June 22

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.

Convention Hotel Bookings Close June 20

JACL Clarifies Position on Arizona Asian American Studies Bill

June 17, 2025

On June 12th, 2025, Asian American News published a letter from five past JACL National Presidents supporting the passage of SB 1301 in the Arizona Legislature. Following discussions with Make Us Visible, the organization leading the effort to pass SB1301, and in consultation with our JACL Arizona Chapter, and hearing their concerns, JACL National determined we would not publicly support SB1301. In light of the recent letter from past JACL presidents offering support, we find it necessary at this time to explain our decision not to support this particular effort to promote Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) education. 

JACL Responds to Recent Use of Anti-Japanese Slur

June 17, 2025

The JACL expresses deep concern and disappointment over the recent use of an anti-Japanese racial slur by Wyoming State Representative John Winter during a public committee hearing about an upcoming visit to the Heart Mountain Wyoming Interpretive Center. During the committee hearing, Representative Winter referred to the Heart Mountain Incarceration site as the “Jap Camp”. The following day, Representative Winter issued an apology for his use of the slur. 

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

From Our Partners

URGENT ACT BY TOMORROW  - For California Members/Supporters, Ask your Assemblymember to Support Bills for the CA Reparations Task Force

From Don Tamaki, 

Dear Japanese American leaders and advocates of truth and justice: 

My “Ask” of You and Colleagues.  Thank you to those of you who responded to my last pitch to send letters to support a Budget Request to create a Public Education Fund (modeled after the Cal Civil Liberties Public Education Program), to educate the public about enslavement, Jim Crow, and its lingering effects.  Thanks to you, that Budget Request is progressing.  

Now, I’m writing you to urge you and your colleagues to take a few minutes to “click-sign” onto a letter of support of four key bills now being considered in Committees before the State Assembly.  They have already passed through Senate Committees and now must pass through Assembly Committees.   Sorry for the very short turnaround time, but these bills are moving fast through the Committees

We need support letters BY OR BEFORE WEDNESDAY JUNE 18.  .  Here is a summary of the bills:    

AB 57 (McKinnor) – Home Purchase Assistance Program: descendants of formerly enslaved people.
This bill seeks to require that, upon establishment of the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery, which is tasked with determining whether an applicant qualifies as a descendant of a formerly enslaved person, at least 10% of the money in California Dream for All Fund to be made available to applicants who meet the requirements for a loan under the home purchase assistance program and are descendants of formerly enslaved people, as specified. More information on the measure.

AB 62 (McKinnor) Agency: racially motivated eminent domain
This bill seeks to require the Office of Legal Affairs within the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery, to review, investigate, and make certain determinations regarding applications from persons who claim they are the dispossessed owner, as defined, of property taken as a result of racially motivated eminent domain. More information on the measure.

SB 437 (Weber-Pierson) California State University: claim eligibility: genealogy and descendancy.
This bill seeks to require the California State University to independently research and report on scientific methodology to determine an individual’s genealogical fingerprint for the purpose of verification as a descendant of an enslaved person in the United States. More information on the measure.

SB 518 (Weber-Pierson) Descendants of enslaved persons: reparations.
This bill seeks to establish the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within the Department of Justice, under the control of the director, to be appointed by the Attorney General and confirmed by the Senate. The bill would require the bureau, as part of its duties, to determine how an individual’s status as a descendant would be confirmed and require proof of an individual’s descendant status to be a qualifying criterion for benefits authorized by the state. More information on the measure.

Background for My Ask:

The California Reparations Task Force and its Final Report.  The Task Force convened in June of 2021, and on June 29, 2023, after 2 years of work, the Task Force presented to the Legislature its Final Report its  1,100 page Final Report, consolidating 27 hearing days and 48 hours of testimony from expert and lay witness statements, public comment, and an array of records and materials submitted to the task force.  The Final Report traces the harm of 246 years of slavery, 90 years of racial segregation after slavery ended, and decades more of continuing discrimination---resulting in today’s outcomes.     The Final Report also contains more than 115 policy recommendations for reforms in education, housing, health care, policing, and other areas, and calls upon the Legislature to determine a feasible approach, spanning years, to address harms that have been centuries in the making.  

Here is the Executive Summary of the Final Report: https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/exec-summary-ca-reparations.pdf

Here is the entire 1,100 page Final Report: https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/full-ca-reparations.pdf

ARRT.  Following the expiration of the term of the Task Force on June 30, 2023 and our submission to the Legislature of the Final Report, 6 of 9 Task Force members joined 5 Black-led organizations (the California Black Power Network, Equal Justice Society, Catalyst California, Live Free, and the Black Equity Collective) to form the Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation and Repair (ARRT), and under that core leadership, a coalition of about 20 multi-racial organizations constitutes ARRT’s steering committee.

Legislative Agenda.  During the 2024 legislative sessions, the 12 Black legislative members constituting the California Black Legislative Caucus (CLBC) submitted 13 bills based on the Task Force recommendations, and 8 of them were signed into law and $12M was set aside in the Budget to further reparations. 

For the CLBC’s 2025 legislative, it has introduced 15 reparative bills.   While ARRT supports all of them, ARRT has identified four bills (listed above) that we consider priorities.   

Our Debt of Gratitude -  Seeking Stories of People Who Helped Japanese Americans During WWII

Bonbu Stories - Lantern Song Workshop at Ekoji Buddhist Temple in Virginia!

Join Bonbu Stories at Ekoji Buddhist Temple for a special Lantern Song Workshop!  We'll be showing the "Lantern Song" music video, leading a craft session, and teaching the Bon Odori choreography.

"Lantern Song" was commissioned by the BCA Music Committee to commemorate Buddhist Churches of America's 125th Anniversary in 2024 and served as the official Obon Song. Bonbu Stories is an Asian American arts collaborative creating art in various mediums for authentic storytelling. You can stream "Lantern Song" on all major platforms.

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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