From 1941 to 1948, more than 2,200 men, women, and children of Japanese ancestry were abducted and forcibly deported from 13 Latin American countries and interned in U.S. Department of Justice camps or U.S. Army facilities. Many were used as hostages in two prisoner exchanges between the United States and Japan. Categorized as "illegal aliens," these Japanese Latin Americans (JLAs) were excluded from the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which granted an apology and a $20,000 compensation payment only to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents of Japanese ancestry.

Grace Shimizu, a leading advocate for former JLA internees, will give an update on the ongoing campaign to grant justice to JLAs. Her talk will be preceded by a special screening of the newly updated Hidden Internment: The Art Shibayama Story.  This half-hour documentary reveals the little known history of the internment of JLAs, but it focuses on the story of Art Shibayama. His life story exemplifies the experiences of these JLAs, who suffered from unjust treatment both during and after WWII. Treated as "illegal aliens" by the U.S. government, the JLAs faced even harsher injustices compared to their Japanese American counterparts.

Art Shibayama's commitment to truth and justice is an inspiration to those still struggling to attain government accountability for constitutional and human rights violations, including pending congressional legislation to establish a commission to investigate the treatment of the JLAs during WWII. Now living in San Jose, he will be on hand to answerquestions from the audience after the film.

 RSVP required 

Cost: Free with admission to the museum (non-members, $5; students and seniors over age 65, $3; JAMsj members and children under 12, free).

Seating is limited. Reserve your spot today by contacting  PublicPrograms@jamsj.org or calling (408) 294-3138.