Challenging Constitutionality: A Tribute to Gordon Hirabayashi (1918-2012)

Date: April 5, 2012

Time: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

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Thursday, April 5, 2012
4-6:00 pm
Charles E. Young Research Library at UCLA
Presentation Room
This program pays tribute to the late Gordon Hirabayashi, a civil rights pioneer who took a principled stand not merely for himself or his family, or for Japanese Americans or Asian Americans, but for all Americans.

In May 1942, 3 months after President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, Gordon Hirabayashi challenged the Constitutionality of the President’s military orders that forcibly removed and incarcerated in detention centers more than 110,000 persons of Japanese descent--the majority of whom were American citizens. Gordon refused, was arrested, and jailed in defiance of those orders. His appeals made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 1943 upheld his convictions. In 1987 (45 years later), his quest for justice was finally vindicated and his convictions were vacated.

Program:

• “A Personal Matter: Gordon Hirabayashi vs. the United States,” award-winning film documentary looks at Gordon’s challenge of the Presidential Order in light of basic protections of the Constitution such as due process of law and individual rights
• Special guest speaker Jay Hirabayashi, Gordon’s son, will offer personal insights on his father’s life and legacy including personal photos, memories, and family stories.
• Q & A to follow
• Light refreshments served

Admission is free and no reservations required but seating is first-come first serve.

For more information contact Mengning Li at mli@aasc.ucla.edu or 310-825-2974

http://www.asianam.ucla.edu/Hirabayashi-Tribute.pdf

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