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NCRR Statement on Redress for Japanese Americans (2 of 3)
Principles of Unity and Goals of the NCRR
The following principles were adopted at the NCRR Conference on November 15, 1980, as guides to action.
1. REDRESS/REPARATIONS MEANS MONETARY COMPENSATION TO ALL INDIVIDUALS OR THEIR HEIRS WHO SUFFERED EVACUATION AND/OR INCARCERATION. No sum of money can approach complete compensation for the tremendous social~ economic and psychological trauma or the violation of constitutional rights. But meaningful restitution on the part of the U.S. government is imperative and must include monetary compensation to individuals.
The exact amount to be sought will be determined on the basis of information and documentation of losses to the Nikkei community by the government and all other relevant documents which may be used in this determination. Compensation must also include persons evacuated from Central and South American countries, Hawaii, Alaskan Aleuts and others forcibly removed from their homes by the U.S. government. The first generation Issei are to be given immediate priority for direct payments as most are elderly.
2. REDRESS/REPARATIONS MEANS RESTITUTION TO THE JAPANESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN THE FORM OF A COMMUNITY FUND THE EXACT USE OF WHICH TO BE DETERMINED BY THE NEEDS OF EACH RESPECTIVE COMMUNITY. The purpose of this fund shall be to counteract theeffects of the incarceration of the Japanese American communities. This couldtake the form of funding the development of low cost housing for the Issei and Nisei (second generation), funding needed social and health services andcultural and educational projects. This "Japanese Community Trust Fund" shall be created by appropriations from Congress as well as by unclaimed or donatedindividual payments.
3. REDRESS/REPARATIONS MEANS EXPOSING THE RACISM OF AND OVERTURNING THE LEGAL BASIS THAT HAS JUSTIFIED THE EVACUATION AND THE CAMPS. Overturning the legal basis through Congressional or legal action will serve as a deterrent to the reinstitution of the concentration camps in the future. The government should return the FBI and government files on internees since this information has been and can still be used against people. We shall also investigate legal avenues and keep in touch with other groups doing similar suits.
4. REDRESS/REPARATIONS MEANS SUPPORTING OTHERS WHO HAVE OR ARE SUFFERING FROM UNJUST ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. We seek to work with others to insure that they will understand and support our efforts. Likewise, we will support efforts of groups such as Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Blacks, Chicanos and others struggling for reparations and justice.
5. REDRESS/REPARATIONS MEANS THAT WE SEEK THE EDUCATION OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC SO THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS MAY LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST AND NOT KNOWINGLY ALLOW THEM TO HAPPEN AGAIN. It is during times of crisis that extra steps must be taken to guarantee the democratic rights of all individuals. We seek to incorporate the lessons of the camps into the American educational process as a way to insure that similar acts will not be taken in the future against an identifiable group.
