The Power of Our Stories: The Fight for Civil Liberties in the Japanese American Community and Beyond

On Sunday, January 5 from 2-4pm, we invite you to gather at

the Downtown Branch of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries to engage in a

discussion of California civil liberties history from the days of slavery to

the post 9/11 era, highlighting courageous Californians whose battles in

courts, classrooms and streets shaped the rights we have today.

When Elaine Elinson and Stan Yogi, authors of WHEREVER THERE’S

A FIGHT (a history of California’s civil liberties activities), talk about the

era of the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, they

will be joined by poet Brian Komei Dempster who will read from first-person

stories written by former camp prisoners.

Mr. Dempster will also read from his collection, TOPAZ,

which examines the Japanese American imprisonment experience, its legacy and

impact on younger generations, and intersecting issues of race, gender,

sexuality, and power.

We are honored that Jeanne Houston, prominent Japanese

American co-author of FAREWELL TO MANZANAR will also be joining the panel.

An exhibit based on the book by Elinson and Yogi will also

be on view at the branch.