Panel discussion about Japanese American Internment

Date: May 24, 2006

Time: 7 p.m.

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Indian Trails Public Library District
355 South Schoenbeck Road
Wheeling, IL 60090
847.459.4100
www.indiantrailslibrary.org

Everyone is welcome and registration be accepted by calling (847) 459-4100 or via the Indian Trails Public Library District Website at www.indiantrailslibrary.org.


After Pearl Harbor, 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry, 66% of whom were citizens, were sent to concentration camps. What was the impact for civil rights, the interned Japanese Americans and their descendants?

What happens to U.S. citizens when they are permanently detained in camps far away from their homes because of war hysteria due to Pearl Harbor?

Attend this free panel discussion with a question and answer period at Indian Trails Public Library District on May 24 at 7 p.m. In 1942 over 120,000 Japanese Americans from all over the west coast, were ordered to leave their homes when President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law, U.S. Executive Order 9066. This meant the forcible relocation of approximately 120,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans, 66% of whom were U.S. citizens, were sent to hastily built housing facilities called "war relocation camps" to remote areas of the U.S. Families and individuals who had nothing to do with any wartime activities, were told to show their patriotism by living in barbed wire enclaves patrolled by armed soldiers and to use cots, unpartioned toilets and live without cooking facilities of any kind. They were treated like prisoners of war. Most lived in these deplorable conditions beginning in 1942 and ending in 1945.

What really happened in these internment camps and how did Japanese Americans feel about living through these difficult times? Hear first hand stories and memories, and watch videotaped testimony from Japanese Americans. Panelists Sam Ozaki, Richard Tani and George Watanabe will share their personal experiences regarding the living conditions, historical significance and the impact this had on their lives and their perspectives on civil rights. Since space is limited, register early for this free program that will include a question and answer period. Everyone is welcome and registration be accepted by calling (847) 459-4100 or via the Indian Trails Public Library District Website at www.indiantrailslibrary.org. Everyone is welcome to this free program which will be held at our library located at 355 South Schoenbeck Road in Wheeling.

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