Program Summary | |
“Justice Delayed is Justice Denied.” With the number of Issei rapidly dwindling and the Nisei generation at retirement age, the need for passage of a reparations bill was felt to be particularly urgent. It was estimated that half of the internees had already passed away. NCRR’s “Fighting Spirit Award” was presented to two community activists by Miya Iwataki. Frank Emi, Heart Mountain internee, was one of the leaders of a group of men who fought the draft while incarcerated. The members of the Fair Play Committee were arrested, convicted of refusing to serve in the military and sentenced to prison. Frank was imprisoned at Leavenworth Penitentiary for 18 months while he appealed his case. After 18 months his conviction was reversed. Because he stood up for his rights and the rights of others unwilling to be drafted, Emi was honored with the “Fighting Spirit Award.” The award was also presented to Reverend Paul Nakamura of the Torrance Lutheran Oriental Church for his tireless efforts to obtain the Lutheran Church’s support for redress. Rev. Nakamura, an early member of the Los Angeles Community Coalition on Redress/Reparations, spoke at countless community gatherings and meetings of the Lutheran Pacific Southwest Synod. In other support work NCRR was pleased to announce that the owners of the West Hollywood hair solon JAPSS changed the name of their business from JAPSS to JADSS. Pressure from the West Hollywood City Council and NCRR’s petition drive forced the name change. In the latter half of 1987 NCRR supported the Native American Big Mountain campaign to bring Hopi and Navajo together. | |
the residents of Bruyeres, France..., Rafu Shimpo,1/23/87 | |
NCRR lobbying trip..., Rafu Shimpo, 4/28/87 | |
JAPSS changed name ..., NCRR Banner, 1987 (PDF) | |
Native American Big Mountain campaign.., NCRR Banner 1987 (PDF) | |