Fw: Honor Korematsu Day by repudiating the NDAA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Shahid Buttar, Bill of Rights Defense Committee 
To: [email protected] 
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 1:37 PM
Subject Honor Korematsu Day by repudiating the NDAA


     
      Dear Hunter,

      Today, January 30th, is officially recognized in as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution, in memory of Mr. Korematsu's efforts resisting domestic military detention without trial during the Japanese internment.  

      On Fred's birthday, we remember his commitment to constitutional rights and due process—which we can each honor in our respective communities by working to restore the right to due process and repudiate the domestic detention provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

      On February 19, 1942, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, authorizing the military detention of over 120,000 Japanese-Americans, as well as some Italian and German Americans. They were forced to squalid relocation camps, where they remained for several years, leaving behind friends, businesses, and lives.

      As hysteria and racism against Japanese Americans rose, most went voluntarily. Fred did not. He challenged his conviction for disobeying the military orders, but the Supreme Court notoriously ruled against due process in Korematsu v. United States. 

      Again, Fred refused to go quietly. In 1983, his conviction was finally overturned, discrediting the notion that, during times of war, any excess is acceptable. Fred Korematsu went on to champion civil rights, not only for Japanese Americans, but also for the diverse Americans whose rights the war on terror has violated.

      Today is a day to honor Fred Korematsu, not only by remembering his legacy, but also by taking action as he did. With the NDAA poised to once again enable military detention on US soil, we must take inspiration from Fred’s example to restore constitutional rights for all Americans. 

      Sincerely,



      Shahid Buttar 
      Executive Director

      Bill of Rights Defense Committee
      8 Bridge Street, Suite A, Northampton, MA 01060
      www.bordc.org
      [email protected]
      Telephone: 413-582-0110
      Fax: 413-582-0116

     

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