"And I never saw my father again..." 
The Japanese American-Mexican American Connection: what we can learn from our shared histories  to protect civil liberties for today 

In the 1930s, more than a million Mexican and Mexican Americans residing throughout the United States were deported after a campaign of scapegoating, fear mongering, and racism. Many were U.S. citizens, but this country failed to protect their most basic civil liberties. In 1942, with the signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Roosevelt, Japanese Americans suffered similar attacks, which culminated in their mass expulsion and internment in direct violation of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. What lessons may we learn from these experiences relevant to the protection of civil liberties for all of us today?

Speakers include the following:  

• Our special guest speaker is Dr. Francisco Balderrama, History and Chicano Studies, California State University, Los Angeles, and co-author of Decade of Betrayal: Mexican Repatriation in the 1930s. 
• Tom Izu, executive director, California History Center and the Audrey Edna Butcher Civil Liberties Education Initiative, De Anza College 
• Student responses from De Anza College Latino and Muslim American students

In this age of heightened attacks on immigrant communities and threats of massive deportation and registries for Muslim Americans, what can we learn from this shared history? Come learn how can we support each other and protect civil liberties in the times ahead.

Seating is limited. 

Cost: Admission to this event is complimentary 

Contact PublicPrograms@jamsj.org or call (408) 294-3138 to reserve a spot.

75th Anniversary of Executive Order 9066