Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution on January 30th. Honoring Fred Korematsu: Defending Civil Liberties for AllNEW

Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution - January 30th.
Fred Korematsu, a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, is celebrated on January 30th each year through the "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution." This day marks a significant milestone in American history, as it honors an individual who courageously fought against injustice and discrimination.

Fred Korematsu Background
Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu was born on January 30, 1919, in Oakland, California. He grew up like any other American citizen, but his life took a drastic turn with the onset of World War II. In the wake of the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor by the Imperial Japanese Navy, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 in 1942. This executive order authorized the forced removal and internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans living on the West Coast. These individuals were uprooted from their homes and placed in internment camps solely based on their Japanese ancestry.

Korematsu's Courageous Stand
Rather than accepting this grave injustice, Fred Korematsu made a bold and principled decision. He chose to defy the unjust internment orders and became a fugitive. He believed that such an infringement on the civil liberties of Japanese Americans was unconstitutional and morally wrong. Korematsu's act of resistance was a testament to his unwavering commitment to the principles of liberty and justice that the United States stood for.

Korematsu's Legal Battle
Fred Korematsu's defiance led to his arrest, and he subsequently challenged his conviction in court. His case, Korematsu v. United States, eventually reached the United States Supreme Court in 1944. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court upheld the legality of the internment in a controversial decision. This ruling endorsed the government's actions and set a troubling precedent.

Legacy and Reversal
Decades later, in the 1980s, new evidence emerged that challenged the necessity of the internment, evidence that had been withheld from the courts by the U.S. government during World War II. This revelation prompted a reevaluation of Korematsu's case. In 1983, his conviction was officially overturned in a federal court, recognizing the injustice he and many others had suffered.

Fred Korematsu's steadfast commitment to justice and civil liberties left an indelible mark on the fight against discrimination and the defense of the U.S. Constitution. His legacy continues to inspire future generations to stand up for their rights and resist injustice, making the "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution" a day to remember and celebrate the enduring principles that guide our nation's journey toward a more just and equitable society. This day, first observed on January 30, 2011, by the state of California, holds particular significance as it marks the first such commemoration for an Asian American in the United States, recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of Asian Americans in the struggle for civil liberties and equality.