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Sign and send: Japanese internment was upheld by the Supreme Court. This must never happen again [1]

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Date: 2023-02-03  

Democratic Reps. Mark Takano of California and Jill Tokuda of Hawaii—whose families both survived forced relocation and internment—and Democratic Sens. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois have introduced a package of legislation honoring civil rights icon Fred Korematsu, including:

The Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act, which would prohibit detention or imprisonment based solely on an actual or perceived protected characteristic of an individual.

The Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act, which would award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu in recognition of his contributions to civil rights, his loyalty and patriotism to the nation, and his dedication to justice and equality.

A resolution establishing a national "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution,” which recognizes the importance of establishing a national Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution, and which encourages all people to reflect on the importance of political leadership, vigilance, and the values of justice and civil rights during times of uncertainty and emergency.

Korematsu’s conviction was overturned after 40 years, but the decision remains a dangerous precedent used to justify discrimination against other communities. We cannot forget, for example, Trump's proposed registry of Muslim Americans and the racist Muslim and African bans, or prisoners unjustly held at Guantanamo Bay. We repeat our brutal history by incarcerating Black and brown people for years at Rikers Island without a trial, detaining asylum-seekers indefinitely at our Southern border, and the systemic targeting and limiting of teaching Black history, among many, many other examples.

Congress must act with haste not only to illuminate and commemorate Korematsu's contributions to this nation, but to ensure his fight was not in vain. It’s past time to ensure that wide-scale imprisonment—especially without due process—is banned in the U.S. Korematsu’s legacy serves as an important reminder that we all have a responsibility to fight for what’s right.

Sign and send the petition to Congress: Recognize Fred Korematsu for his dedication to justice and build on his work to defend our fundamental civil liberties.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/story/2023/2/3/2150739/-Sign-and-send-Japanese-internment-was-upheld-by-the-Supreme-Court-This-must-never-happen-again

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