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On Saturday, July 12, 3-5pm, Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) hosts a community forum to informally discuss viewpoints on Arab Americans, Japanese Americans, South Asians and Muslim communities and similarities between Japanese internment and the current social and political climate present today.

After Sept. 11, many comparisons were made between the surveillance, detention and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and the current experience of Muslims, Arab Americans, and South Asians. Now in an effort to build a unified community, we seek to come together and celebrate the shared strengths of our communities and form a stronger collective of peace, compassion and justice.

Day of Remembrance Documentary Viewing

A special viewing of Day of Remembrance, a short film by Cyndy Fujikawa presenting the parallel circumstances between Arab and Muslim Americans today and Japanese Americans over 60 years ago will be shown.

A Day of Remembrance is observed annually within Japanese American communities on or around Feb. 19, commemorating the signing of Executive Order 9066 by FDR (the Order ultimately led to internment in 1942). Fujikawa’s documentary captures moments from Day of Remembrance events held in 2003 in Seattle, New York, Honolulu, San Francisco, Sacramento and Los Angeles. A central theme in each of these events is the plight of Muslim and Arab Americans, who are currently experiencing gross violations of civil liberties, government harrassment and lengthy, unwarranted detentions as a result of the War on Terror. Several Arab American guest speakers state their views and a noteworthy heart-wrenching testimony is given by 20-year old Nadin Hamoui, recently released from FBI detention after 9 months.

Also highlighted in this short documentary is the controversy over the recent remarks by Rep. Howard Coble (R-N.C.), endorsing the internment of Japanese Americans by FDR, and suggesting that some of "these Arab Americans" cannot be trusted.

"The internment of Japanese Americans is a very important lesson in American history, of course. And making the short film made me see how fragile this lesson is in our present-day War on Terror. I think it's important for people to make the connection,” states Fujikawa.

JCCCNC will ask that everyone share in the tradition of making origami cranes, a symbol of peace, Sadako. The origami cranes will be delivered to the Sadako statue at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on August 6th (date commemorting the bombing) by the Shinzen Nikkei Youth Goodwill Basketball teams.

American Muslims Intent on Learning and Activism (AMILA) Mural Painting

From11 to 2 pm, prior to the ‘Reaching Across Communities’ forum join AMILA in creating a mosaic mural to be installed at Masjid Dar Assalm at the downtown location of the Islamic Society of San Francisco. Visit this link for more information on the mural project.

Supported by (partial list)

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Santa Clara), AMILA (American Muslim Intent on Learning and Activism), Islamic Society of San Francisco, Asian Improv aRts, Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach, Bay Area Day of Remembrance Consortium, Buena Vista United Methodist Church, Christ Episcopal Church, Christ United Presbyterian, Friends of Hibakusha, Japanese Community Youth Council, Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California, Justice Matters Institute, Konko Church, National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS), Pine United Methodist Church

About the JCCCNC

Envisioned by the Japanese American community, JCCCNC will be an everlasting foundation of our Japanese American ancestry, cultural heritage, histories and traditions. The JCCCNC strives to meet the evolving needs of the Japanese American community through programs, affordable services and facility usage. The JCCCNC is a non-profit community center based in San Francisco.

For more information, please contact:

Jill Shiraki, Director of Programs
Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC)
415.567.5505