Movements are underway in two separate communities to honor two Japanese Americans who stood up against injustice and were both prosecuted for doing so (photo of Korematsu with Ed Bradley by Keith PR).
Fred Korematsu and Gordon Hirabayashi both defied orders to evacuate and report to the incarceration camps during World War II. Both convictions were overturned in the 1980s.
In El Cerrito east of San Francisco, a committee of the West Contra Costa School Board has recommended renaming Portola Middle School to Fred T. Korematsu Middle School, reports the Mercury News.
The proposal has not been without controversy. One person even argued that Japanese Americans “were not treated badly in World War II.”
The name change will be considered at a July 9th meeting.
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In Washington State, some are calling for a bust of Hirabayashi to be added to the National Statuary Hall in the US Capitol Building.
Each state is allowed to place one statue in the Hall that is representative of that state.
Hirabayashi was born in Seattle and the Seattle Times this week ran an opinion piece of why Hirabayashi is deserving of the honor.
Both Hirabayashi and Korematsu are recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.