ADL Applauds the First Statewide Observance of Fred Korematsu Day on January 30, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is proud to join in the observance of the inaugural Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Rights and the Constitution. The day honors civil rights hero Fred Korematsu, an Oakland native and Japanese-American citizen forcibly relocated to an internment camp during World War II.  

Fred Korematsu's lifelong struggle for justice ultimately resulted in vindication for wrongly interned Japanese-Americans, including reparations and an official apology from the U.S. government.  ADL was one of a number of organizations that supported legislation sponsored by Assemblymembers Warren Furutani (D – South Los Angeles County) and Marty Block (D – San Diego) and signed into law last September to create this annual observance.

"Fred Korematsu's story is that of a true American hero. He fought against injustice and gave voice to those whose rights were trampled," stated San Francisco-based Regional Director Daniel S. Sandman. "It is only right that his courageous struggle be recognized so prominently."

This inaugural observance is being coordinated by the San Francisco-based Fred T. Korematsu Institute. ADL honored Mr. Korematsu in 1998 with its prestigious Pearlstein Civil Rights Award.  His story and the lessons that can be learned from it are part of ADL's educational programming as well.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

SOURCE Anti-Defamation League

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