Weekly Digest
March 17, 2020

COVID-19 and JACL operations and programming

This is a challenging time for us all as a nation as we all seek to do our part to reduce the impact f COVID-19. We must all do our part to keep safe those who might be more vulnerable.

Because of the directives from local public health departments and governments, JACL staff are now teleworking. Although we will not be in our physical offices, JACL is still committed to serving the community. Please direct all phone calls to our Washington, D.C. Office at (202) 223-1240 and we will get back to you as quickly as possible. Otherwise, we will all be available via email.

This Saturday's national board meeting will be conducted via conference call. If you would like to join the call, the information is following: There will be no in person meeting due to the current shelter in place guidelines for the city of San Francisco. Please be aware that there will be breaks during the day when there may be no activity. 

JACL National Board Meeting
Saturday, March 21
8:30am - 5:00pm PDT (11:30am - 8:00pm EDT)
Dial-in number (US): (605) 472-5690
Access code: 260324#
Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/jmoy3

Because of the virus, we have postponed the JACL/OCA Leadership Summit scheduled for April 25-28. Two other major events we were scheduled to participate in, JACS Advocacy Days and Tsuru for Solidarity have also been postponed if possible. 

We remain vigilant for how the disease spread progresses, particularly in consideration of our convention scheduled for June 24-28. At this time, we continue to plan towards holding the convention as scheduled. We will notify you should there be any change in 2020 Convention plans.

Stay safe everyone and we hope to see you all in person again soon. 

- JACL National Staff

COVID-19: JACL Statements and Cancellations in the Community

As the list of cancellations and postponement of events grows, the JACL will do its best to keep these events for the larger Japanese American community up to date. If you would like to see a full list of large scale canceled or postponed events, please visit our website using the link below to see the list. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Contest Prompt:

Reflecting on Minoru Yasui’s legacy during the Japanese American redress and reparations movement, create an action plan for a civil rights violation that the United States should redress today (to apologize for, to set right). 

Contest Website: https://sites.google.com/view/minyasuicontest2020/home

Exhibit Proposal due: March 15, 2020

Make Your Own Exhibit due: March 28, 2020

Minoru “Min” Yasui saw people treated unjustly in 1942 and he took action. On March 28th, Oregonians commemorate Min’s legacy of justice that began with his challenge of the curfew placed on Japanese Americans during World War II. From 1976 to 1984, Min Yasui served as the chair of the Japanese American Citizens League’s National Committee for Redress which fought for an apology from the United States government for the unjust incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII. However, Min passed away before the passing of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Though he did not live to see the government’s apology, Min’s legacy inspires us to take action today.

Make your own exhibit!

Create a Tri-Fold Poster, a photo exhibit, or a short film to capture your redress action plan! Your exhibit should relate an event, action, or violation that occurred in the history or recent past of the United States. 

$100.00 to $200.00 Award prizes.

Open to middle and high school students in Oregon and SW Washington

For more information email us: info@oregonnikkei.org

Minoru Yasui Day 

Saturday March 28, 2020

“What is done to the least of us, can be done to all of us” - Minoru Yasui

-Courtesy of Kurt Ikeda, Japanese American Museum of Oregon

Advocacy Opportunity: Join the JACL in Supporting the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act! 

More than one million immigrants arrive at U.S. borders every year, many escaping violent or threatening situations in their home countries. 

Under Trump, immigrants arrive to U.S. detention centers that are just as damaging as the violence-prone countries many are fleeing. One investigator even found conditions at the nation’s largest Customs and Border Protection detention center “could be compared to torture facilities.”

U.S. Congress members, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) have sponsored a bill called the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, proposing changes to how the U.S. treats immigrants and ensuring transparent and responsible conduct around immigrants awaiting a court decision.

This legislation would implement a shift from detention to alternative housing arrangements for immigrants awaiting court decisions. Community-based supervision programs allow immigrants to live independently, and outside of detention centers.

This legislation will also address transparency in how the U.S. runs its detention centers, calling for regular inspections at detention facilities to ensure that the facility workers are respecting all rights of immigrants. 

Migrant families lawfully seeking asylum cannot continue to be abused! Congress must enact legislation to prevent further detainment in for-profit concentration camps. Join the JACL along with other sponsors, Daily Kos, Franciscan Action Network, Blue Future, and more by signing the petition!