JACL Pleased with Grant from UPS Foundation

January 19, 2010

Washington, D.C.—The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the nation’s oldest and largest Asian American civil and human rights organization, is pleased to announce that the JACL has been the recipient of a grant of $30,000 from The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS (NYSE:UPS).

Click here to read more.

JACL Announces Proposed Date of 2010 JACL Gala

January 13, 2010

Washington, D.C.—The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the nation’s oldest and largest Asian American civil and human rights organization, announces its proposed date of Thursday, September 16, 2010, for its next Annual National JACL Gala Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C.

Click here to read more.

JACL Criticizes Statement by Ohio Lieutenant Governor

January 13, 2010

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) objected to a statement by Ohio lieutenant governor, Lee Fisher, that criticized Japan for placing barriers on American car sales in a Japanese incentive program similar to the “cash for clunkers” program in the United States. 

Click here to read more. Click here to read the letter.

AAPI Week of Action for Immigration Reform Starts Today

January 12, 2010

Fair and comprehensive immigration reform is a battle that the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) fought for decades. As the oldest and largest Asian American civil and human rights organization, it is time for us to stand up for more recent immigrants who are facing the same attitudes we faced in the 1920s and 1930s. For this week's National Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Week of Action, we ask JACL members and allies to take action.

Click here to read more.

JACL Announces the Minoru Yasui Oratorical Competition

January 12, 2010

JACL chapters are being asked to identify high school students, age 16 years or older, or full
time undergraduate college students who will compete at a JACL district council competition
with the winner advancing to the finals at the national convention, which will be held on July 2.

Click here for the press release. Click here for more information.

Attend the Washington D.C. Leadership Summit February 3-4

January 7, 2010

The Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation, the Japanese American National Museum, and the Japanese American Citizens League announces the Washington D.C Leadership Summit, February 3-4, 2010 at the Madison Hotel, 1177 15th St, NW, Washington, D.C. Speakers and topics will focus on an overview and update from the National Park Service, tips on fundraising, goals for Fiscal Year 2011, and presentations from former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta and retired U.S. Senator Alan Simpson. 

Click here to read more.

JACL Responds to Toby Keith Incident

December 23, 2009

At a recent appearance at the Nobel Peace Prize after party in Oslo, American country singer Toby Keith made a racist gesture while on stage during a performance of “Rapper’s Delight.”  His behavior has drawn criticism from the Asian American community, yet Mr. Keith still has not acknowledged the offensive nature of his gesture nor issued an apology.  The Japanese American Citizens League joins other organizations in condemning Mr. Keith’s actions, and demands that he acknowledge and apologize for his racist behavior.

Click here to read more.

Wat Misaka Honored by the New York Knicks

December 23, 2009

New York, NY  -  Wat Misaka, who was drafted by the New York Knicks in 1947, was recently honored by the Knicks basketball franchise at a presentation during a game at Madison Square Garden.  Misaka was the first non-white person to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA which was then known as the Basketball Association of America or BAA).

Click here to read more.

JACL DC Fellows Complete Assignments

December 15, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Two Fellows from California recently completed their assignments with the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL).  Scott Sakakihara, the 2009 JACL Masaoka Fellow and a Harvard Law School Graduate, and Shirley Tang, the 2009 JACL Inouye Fellow who graduated from the University of California at Davis, served the JACL during the past year.  Scott worked in the office of Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and later in the White House.  Shirley worked in the JACL’s Washington D.C. Office.

Click here to read more.

Southern California Edison Sponsors Fellowship for JACL

December 15, 2009

Los Angeles -- With generous support from Southern California Edison, The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) welcomes a new member to the Pacific Southwest District office. The new 2009-2010 Mike Honda Fellow, Kristin Fukushima, joined JACL in October.  The position will continue and expand JACL's efforts to advocate for civil rights and community preservation through empowerment and activism.

Click here to read more.

JACL Mourns Passing of Art Koga

December 7, 2009

San Francisco - The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the nation's oldest and largest Asian American civil and human rights organization, mourns the passing of Art Koga, formerly a member of the National JACL Board of Directors.  Members of the JACL were saddened to hear of the untimely death of Art Koga on December 4, 2009, in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Mr. Koga was ill with what seemed to be a cold, took a turn for the worse, and passed away very suddenly.

Click here to read more.

JACL Assists Japan Embassy in Doll Presentation

December 2, 2009

Washington, D.C.  – The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the oldest and largest Asian American civil and human rights organization in the United States, assisted the Embassy of Japan in the presentation of a new doll donated to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (L.D.S. or Mormon) Washington, D.C. Temple Visitors Center. The Japanese doll has been placed on one of the Christmas trees adorning the Visitors Center throughout the holiday season.

Click here to read more.

JACL Applauds Historic Senate Confirmation of Jacqueline Nguyen

December 1, 2009

Washington, D.C. - On Tuesday, December 1, 2009, the U.S. Senate confirmed Judge Jacqueline Nguyen as a federal district judge in the Central District of California by a vote of 97 to 0. The Japanese American Citizens League, the largest and oldest civil and human rights organization in the nation, applauds the U.S. Senate and congratulates Judge Nguyen for this historic confirmation, as she is the first Vietnamese-American woman to serve as a federal district court judge in the United States. 

Click here to read more.

JACL and Healthcare Reform

December 1, 2009

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) strongly supports comprehensive health care reform and commends Congress on their tireless efforts these past months. Affordability and access to health care for all are main concerns for the JACL. Health care should be a right, not a privilege in America. The JACL looks forward to having historic heath care legislation signed by the President in the near future.

Click here to read more.

Click Here for More News