10.1 Origins and development of the redress movement

The redress movement for Japanese Americans emerged from post-war advocacy efforts seeking justice and recognition. It was fueled by community organizing, early compensation attempts, and the influence of the Civil Rights Movement, which shaped activism strategies and coalition-building.

Government documents played a crucial role in exposing misconduct and unjust motivations behind the incarceration. The Day of Remembrance commemorations and formation of redress organizations strengthened community engagement and political mobilization, increasing pressure for official redress.

Origins of the Redress Movement

Roots of redress movement

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• Post-war advocacy efforts by Japanese Americans sought justice and recognition
  • Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) initiatives pushed for policy changes and public awareness
  • Individual lawsuits challenged incarceration legality (Korematsu v. United States, Hirabayashi v. United States)
• Early compensation attempts addressed financial losses
  • Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act of 1948 provided limited restitution
  • Act's inadequacies included low claim caps and burdensome proof requirements
• Community organizing fostered solidarity and collective action
  • Local Japanese American groups formed to advocate for rights and preserve history
  • Efforts to preserve camp sites and memories included pilgrimages and oral history projects

Civil rights and redress efforts

• Civil Rights Movement influence shaped Japanese American activism
  • African American activism inspired non-violent protest strategies and legal challenges
  • Coalition-building with other minority groups strengthened advocacy efforts
• Rise of ethnic studies programs deepened understanding of incarceration history
  • Asian American studies departments established at universities (UC Berkeley, San Francisco State)
  • Research on Japanese American incarceration exposed long-term impacts and injustices
• Sansei (third-generation) activism energized the redress movement
  • College campus movements organized protests and educational events
  • Intergenerational dialogues bridged generational gaps in understanding incarceration experiences

Development of the Redress Movement

Government documents in redress

• Uncovering of key documents revealed extent of government misconduct
  • Michi Weglyn's research findings in "Years of Infamy" exposed racist motivations
  • Freedom of Information Act requests unearthed classified materials
• Declassified materials provided evidence of unjust incarceration
  • Racial prejudice in government decision-making exposed through internal memos
  • Suppression of intelligence reports contradicting military necessity claims revealed (Munson Report, Ringle Report)
• Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) investigated incarceration
  • Established in 1980 to examine facts and circumstances surrounding Executive Order 9066
  • Public hearings and testimonies collected over 750 personal accounts of incarceration experiences

Significance of Day of Remembrance

• Origins of the Day of Remembrance commemorated Executive Order 9066
  • First commemoration in Seattle in 1978 marked turning point in public awareness
  • February 19th date chosen to coincide with signing of Executive Order 9066
• Community engagement strengthened through collective remembrance
  • Pilgrimages to former incarceration sites (Manzanar, Tule Lake) fostered healing and education
  • Public education efforts included exhibitions, film screenings, and speaker series
• Formation of redress organizations coordinated advocacy efforts
  • National Coalition for Redress/Reparations (NCRR) mobilized grassroots support
  • Japanese American redress committees formed within existing community organizations
• Political mobilization increased pressure for official redress
  • Lobbying efforts with elected officials included letter-writing campaigns and meetings
  • Broader coalitions with other minority groups (African Americans, Native Americans) amplified voices