CAPAC Members Recognize the 35th Anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today marks 35 years since the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 was signed into law, granting reparations and a Presidential apology to every citizen or legal immigrant of Japanese ancestry incarcerated by the United States government during World War II. Over 120,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry were forcibly removed and incarcerated as a result of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 in 1942.
CAPAC Members released the following statements:
CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28):
“As we recognize the 35th anniversary of Civil Liberties Act of 1988, we reflect on a dark period in our American history marked by racial discrimination, xenophobia, and fearmongering. It is particularly harrowing to think about the wrongful incarceration of Japanese Americans occurring during my lifetime—and that of many of my colleagues.
“Fueled by ignorance and xenophobia, President Roosevelt’s executive order devastated Japanese American families and communities across the country, causing physical, mental, and social trauma across generations. And today I am proud to recognize the work of the late Secretary Norman Mineta, co-founder and former Chair of CAPAC, who led the effort to pass the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 and ensure that while this stain on our nation’s history cannot be erased, that an apology and redress were provided to Japanese American families. Today, CAPAC continues to raise awareness of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history while speaking out against dangerous rhetoric that can lead to anti-Asian racism and xenophobia. We must acknowledge and account for our government’s shameful actions so that we do not fall into the danger of history repeating itself with such past injustices.”
CAPAC First Vice-Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06):
“Thirty-five years ago, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided reparations to Japanese Americans who were wrongfully detained during World War II, was signed into law. While reparations could never heal the traumas caused by the mass-detainment of Japanese Americans, the law was an attempt to apologize for and reconcile with this dark chapter in American history. As we mark the 35th anniversary of this historic bill, we must remember to continue to educate ourselves and our neighbors on this injustice and others from our nation's past in order to move forward toward a more equitable future.”
CAPAC Second Vice-Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39):
“As a direct descendent of Japanese immigrants, my parents and grandparents were among the thousands of Japanese Americans wrongfully incarcerated during World War II. The Civil Liberties Act was a step in the right direction towards addressing the pain the U.S. inflicted on the Japanese American community, but anti-Asian rhetoric still lingers in our society today. As we commemorate the passage of this legislation, we must reaffirm our commitment to uplift all members of the AANHPI community and continue our work to prevent future instances anti-Asian hate.”
CAPAC Whip Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36):
“Today we mark the 35th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided reparations to Japanese Americans who were unjustly interned by the United States government during World War II. This legislation represents the acknowledgement of the state-sanctioned racism and discrimination towards the Japanese American community during the war. The systematic internment of Japanese Americans based solely on their race is a stain on our nation’s history. Though no amount of financial compensation can begin to heal the wounds of these horrific actions, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 is an important step in accountability on the part of the American government. While we commemorate this landmark legislation, we must continue our work to speak out against all forms of injustice and build an inclusive future for all.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-12):
“In the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, over 127,000 Japanese Americans were unjustly blamed and placed into internment camps for years, with their belongings and property forcibly seized. This horrific policy is a deep stain on our nation’s history and one of the most egregious violations of civil rights in the 20th century. The Civil Liberties Act was an important acknowledgement of our nation’s wrongdoing as we sought to heal the wounds of racial injustice. On the 35th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act, we must recommit to dismantling white supremacy, xenophobia, and prejudice and advancing racial equity and healing.”
Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15):
“Thirty-five years ago, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 granted reparations and formally apologized to over 120,000 Japanese Americans who were wrongfully incarcerated during World War II. Full recognition of the enormous injustices that occurred was an important step in the healing process. To this day, many Japanese Californians still feel the pain of that dark period. Today, and every day, I stand with the Japanese American community. We must vow to never let fear and racial prejudice dictate government policy again.”