Tuesday, May 7, 2013

San Juan Capistrano Library Event: Joyce Okazaki talks about Manzanar Internment Camp TODAY!

This evening, May 7 2013, Joyce Okazaki will be giving a talk at the San Juan Capistrano library (part of the Orange County Public Library system) at 6pm for FREE!  The event will be held in the La Sala Auditorium.

Joyce Okazaki was sent to the Manzanar Internment camp on April 2, 1942 with her family and they were finally able to leave in August 1944 but had to move to Chicago because the West Coast was still deemed a military zone until the War Relocation Authority lifted this restriction in December 1944.  While in the camp, she and her sister were both photographed by Ansel Adams, renowned American photographer, for his book, Born Free and Equal: The Story of Loyal Japanese Americans.  Mrs. Okazaki is a member of the Manzanar Committee.  The Manzanar Committee's mission statement proclaims, "The Manzanar Committee is dedicated to educating and raising public awareness about the incarceration and violation of civil rights of person of Japanese ancestry during World War II, and to the continuing struggle of all peoples when Constitutional rights are in danger.  The Manzanar Committee was formed in 1970 in an effort to promote education and establish Manzanar as a California State Historical Landmark, which it was in 1973.  To learn more about this committee please see its website @ http://blog.manzanarcommittee.org/about-the-manzanar-committeecontact-us/

Please if you can attend this important event because it is critical to understand the experiences of the past and this is a special opportunity to hear about this chapter in history from a first hand source!  Just one more reason why our libraries are a critical part of maintaining our freedom of expression.  Please share your experiences if you get the chance to go!


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