MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release: November 27, 2001
Contact: Manami Kano, 510.834.8920 x305, manami@apen4ej.org, www.nosei.com

JAPANESE AMERICANS OFFER SYMBOL OF PEACE TO MUSLIM COMMUNITY ON PEARL HARBOR DAY

What: An Offering: Solidarity Against Racism in a Time of War Who:
Nosei, American Muslims Intent on Learning and Activism (AMILA) and Muslim
Community Association (MCA)

When: Friday, December 7th, 2001

Time: 6:30 pm ñ 7:30 pm: Speakers from both communities and Crane offering

Where:
Muslim Community Association in Santa Clara, 3003 Scott Blvd. (near Central Expressway) in Santa Clara

December 7th, 1941, is known throughout the U.S. as a day that "will live in infamy." Currently, it is a day that has invoked countless comparisons to the attacks of September 11th.Nosei, an organization of progressive Japanese and Japanese Americans, in partnership with AMILA, American Muslims Intent on Learning and Activism, and the Muslim Community Association, are marking the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor with an event to raise awareness about the frightening parallels between the treatment of Japanese Americans during WWII and Muslims in the US today.Japanese tradition says the act of folding 1000 origami cranes will grant a wish. In solidarity and support, Nosei will present a gift of over 1000 origami cranes to the Muslim Community Association in hopes that together our pursuit of a peaceful solution to the war, and an end to the death and devastation, will be realized. Speakers at this event include longtime Japanese American activist, Susan Hayase, who was the vice chair of the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund, and Mits Koshiyama, former internee of Heart Mountain and draft resister.

Every year, for Japanese Americans, the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor brings up feelings of fear, and painful memories of a US governmental campaign of racial scapegoating. With the signing of Exective Order 9066 on February 19, 1942, President Roosevelt authorized the eviction and internment of over 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry. E.O. 9066 eliminated the constitutional protections of due process and violated the Bill of Rights. This order also served to support decades of anti-Asian discrimination, racist propaganda, and physical violence.Immediately following the Sept. 11 attacks, the US government invoked alarmingly similar language and actions used during WWII, ignoring civil rights in the pursuit of "justice." Arabs and South Asian, citizens and non-citizens alike, were detained without due process in the name of national security. Now, months into this war, more than 1,200 people have been detained as part of the sweeping investigation, and the Bush administration has ordered special military tribunals to try foreigners charged with terrorism, giving President Bush the unchecked power to determine who is a terrorist.As in WWII, the current actions by the US government demonstrate its intent to use wartime hysteria and nationalism to galvanize support for its "War on Terrorism." Nosei seeks to send out a message of peace and justice in this time of national uncertainty.

This event is open to the public. Please join us in transforming this day of infamy into a day of peace.Endorsed by Nihonmachi Outreach Committee (NOC), US-Japan No War Network, Sansei Legacy Project,Asian Pacific Islanders Against War (APICAW), American Friends Service Committee, Foothill College Asian Pacific American Network, American Muslims for Global Peace and Justice (AMGPJ), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and Islamic Networks Group (ING).