JACL Concludes 2021 Convention with Unequivocal Support for the Black Lives Matter Movement and in Opposition to Anti-Asian Hate

July 19, 2021

For Immediate Release

David Inoue, Executive Director, dinoue@jacl.org, 202-607-7273

Sarah Baker, VP Public Affairs, sbaker@jacl.org

On Sunday, July 18, the Japanese American Citizens League concluded its 51st national convention with a nearly seven hour deliberative session of its members. Delegates from across the country engaged in thoughtful and respectful discussion on two resolutions which passed with overwhelming majorities.

Resolution One reaffirmed JACL’s commitment to support Black and other communities whose civil rights, liberty, and well-being are denied by white supremacy and systemic racism. It further committed the organization to seek to be actively anti-racist in its actions and policies. The resolution also commits its membership and chapters to work towards the passage of legislation such as the George Floyd justice in Policing Act and the BREATHE Act which remain under consideration by the United States Congress.

The second resolution passed by the National Council in response to the escalating hate crimes and incidents targeting Asian Pacific Americans in the past year, called upon media, elected officials, and community leadership to denounce racial discrimination, white supremacy, and xenophobia that is often at the root of anti-Asian incidents. The resolution affirmed the need for mandatory ethnic studies curriculum in K-12 education as a means to mitigate and prevent future racially motivated violence.

JACL National President Jeffrey Moy noted, “Central to both resolutions was the need to accomplish this work in collaboration and coalition with our partner communities. These two resolutions highlight how our communities truly have been “Forged Under Fire” as was the theme of our convention. Now begins the difficult work of promoting public education to ensure that all Americans understand and appreciate the rich diversity of our country and challenge structures and systems that prevent this country from living up to its full potential.”

The convention was presented with many sessions in collaboration with OCA Asian Pacific Advocates. Among the featured guests to appear throughout the convention were Director of the Office of Personnel Management, Kiran Ahuja, actor and activist, George Takei, Congress members Mark Takano (CA-41) and Ted Lieu (CA-31), and Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison, Erika Moritsugu. Workshops and plenary sessions focused on the themes of community, amongst Japanese Americans, Asian Americans, and in solidarity with others.

The Sayonara Gala on Saturday, July 17 featured remarks by the former Commerce and Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, who has attended JACL National Convention since the 1950s and applauded JACL for its work on advancing civil rights for Asian Americans and other minority communities. Secretary Mineta enthusiastically announced the launch of the JACL Centennial Education Fund and encouraged JACL members to donate generously in order to sustain the organization. Then the longtime partner and ally of JACL, Wade Henderson, Interim President and CEO for the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights provided the evening’s keynote address.

David Lin, Vice President for Planning and Development emphasized, “The Centennial Education Fund campaign which was also launched at convention will ensure that JACL has the resources needed to engage in the community education that will be central to fulfilling the work of resolutions one and two.”

The awards ceremony portion of the Sayonara Gala recognized several awardees that could not be recognized in 2020 due to COVID-19. California Orange County District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and Seattle, Washington journalist Lori Matsukawa were recognized with the Japanese Americans of the Biennium awards. The Seattle Chapter also received the George Inagaki Chapter Citizenship Award for the fourth straight biennium. The National Youth Student Council awarded Tsuru for Solidarity with its Vision Award and also recognized digital storytelling award winners, Sam Hamashima for his piece “Family Heirlooms”and Jessica Bukowski and Kristin Sato for their piece “Enryo.” Entertainment and additional remarks were provided by Olympic medalists and authors, Maia and Alex Shibutani, spoken word artist G Yamazawa, comedienne Atsuko Okatsuka, and taiko performances from Portland Taiko and Mark H Taiko. The evening also featured the posthumous presentation of JACL’s highest volunteer recognition, the Ruby Pin, to the late Ron Katsuyama of Dayton, Ohio. The award was received by his wife, Jane Katsuyama.

JACL is grateful for the support of convention sponsors AT&T, State Farm Insurance, Comcast, MGM Resorts International, Verizon, AARP, Google, the Motion Picture Association, and the JACL Credit Union.

For more information about the Centennial Fund, please visit jacl.org/centennial. The final versions of resolutions one and two are available at the JACL website at jacl.org/2021-national-convention. Convention workshop and plenary sessions will be posted to the convention platform for convention registrants at my.eventcadence.com/events/jacl21. 

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The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational, and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.