We are deeply troubled by recent comments made by a surrogate of the Trump administration postulating a national registry for immigrants from Muslim nations, citing the “Japanese American internment camps” as precedence.  We are alarmed that statements such as these are part of a current national dialogue.  In modern history we have witnessed the results of this kind of dangerous thinking: the registration and removal of Jews to Nazi death camps; the registration, removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans to camps in the interior United States during World War II; and, more recently, the detention of selected Muslim immigrants in the post 9/11 era.

In 1982, the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians stated in its published report, “Personal Justice Denied,” that the “internment” of Japanese Americans was based in “race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.” The incarceration of Japanese Americans represents one of the worst moments in American history and we, the community that survived this dark chapter, have stood as watchdogs so that no other community will be subjected to similar violation of their human and civil rights.

The U.S. is currently witnessing unprecedented levels of anti-Muslim hate speech and racially motivated hate crimes against minority populations. The need is greater than ever to publicly and vocally speak out against white supremacist ideology that is in conflict with our values as a nation.  We strongly denounce inflammatory and racist rhetoric regarding civilian registries and concentration camps.  We decry a national dialogue that dangerously courts with policies based in racism, fascism and xenophobia.  We call on our fellow Americans to stand with us in solidarity of a civil society based on protection of civil liberties.

The best qualities of our country are embodied in our determination to uphold a nation and society that is based on respect and equality for all people. To our Muslim and immigrant friends and neighbors and all others who face attack on their civil liberties: know that we are in conversation with Japanese American leaders and organizations across the country. We have a history of having resisted and survived organized institutional attacks on our community and we are committed to building alliances to stand with you and bring our resources to our collective defense.

In addition to signing below, we urge everyone to sign the petition started by DRUM directed at President Obama to prevent a Muslim Registry: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/president-obama-prevent-3?source=s.fb&r_by=823889

The New York Japanese American community has been regularly collaborating with local Muslim community groups through our annual Day of Remembrance program since 9/11 and we will continue to offer particular support to these communities in New York and throughout the U.S.  To that end, our 2017 Day of Remembrance program, commemorating 75 years since the concentration camps, will host a forum on the topic of civil liberties and justice, bringing together different communities whose rights are at risk or under attack. Join the New York Day of Remembrance Facebook group to learn more about the 2017 event. https://www.facebook.com/groups/NYDOR/

We stand in solidarity with you. Sign below to add your name.

Signed,

New York Day of Remembrance Committee
Japanese American Association of New York, Inc.
New York Japanese American Oral History Project
JAJA (Japanese Americans/Japanese in America)
Japanese American Citizens League, New York Chapter
Commission on the Public's Health System

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