The 2013 San Jose Day of Remembrance commemorates the signing of Executive Order 9066, which led to the incarceration of 120,000 people of Japanese descent, two-thirds of whom were American citizens. The event will also recognize the 25th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. This landmark legislation stated that "a grave injustice was done to both citizens and permanent residents of Japanese ancestry by the evacuation, relocation, and internment of civilians during World War II."

To many of us in the Japanese American community, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 demonstrated that America can be a great nation. America can look back in painful introspection and admit our past wrongs. But because our families and our community have been the recipients of the government's apology and redress, many of us also believe that we bear a special responsibility to uphold the lessons learned from Executive Order 9066.

The 2013 San Jose Day of Remembrance commemorates the signing of Executive Order 9066, which led to the incarceration of 120,000 people of Japanese descent, two-thirds of whom were American citizens. The event will also recognize the 25th anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. This landmark legislation stated that "a grave injustice was done to both citizens and permanent residents of Japanese ancestry by the evacuation, relocation, and internment of civilians during World War II."

To many of us in the Japanese American community, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 demonstrated that America can be a great nation. America can look back in painful introspection and admit our past wrongs. But because our families and our community have been the recipients of the government's apology and redress, many of us also believe that we bear a special responsibility to uphold the lessons learned from Executive Order 9066.

Please do not contact the San Jose Buddhist Church for information. Contact info@sjnoc.org or visit the NOC website.