Special Screening of Films Sponsored by the California Civil Liberties Public Education Program

The National Museum will host a mini festival of films funded by CCLPEP. Titles include From a Silk Cocoon, 9066 to 9/11, and Stand Up for Justice, among others.

This program is made possible by the generous support of the California Civil Liberties Public Education Program.

STAND UP FOR JUSTICE> is based on the true story of Ralph Lazo, a Mexican American 16-year-old student from Belmont High School who voluntarily joined his Japanese American friends at Manzanar concentration camp during World War II. The 30-minute drama, explores the enduring values of friendship and loyalty between teenagers of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It powerfully addresses the violation of civil liberties that Japanese Americans faced during WWII and reveals the unique story of how one person’s actions earned the undying gratitude of a community. A co-production of Visual Communications & Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress.

9066 TO 9/11 focuses on the parallels between the post-September 11 treatment of Arab Americans and Muslims in this country with treatment of Japanese Americans after the start of World War II. Revealing striking similarities, the 20 minutes video addresses the mistreatment of immigrants in the United States, as well as the lack of historical memory by lawmakers and the public about America’s concentration camps during World War II. Insightful interviews by community activists Ban Al-Wardi, Evelyn Yoshimura, Linda Sherif, Yuri Kochiyama, Rev. Art Takemoto, Tajuddin Shuiab, Professors Jerry Kang and Art Hansen, as well as a Muslim community member who was detained immediately after 9/11. A production of the Frank T. Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum.

From a Silk Cocoon is a powerful documentary which, unlike any other program on the subject, delves into the experience of a Japanese American couple who respond to the loss of their civil liberties and incarceration during WWII by renouncing their citizenship in hopes of finding dignity and safety for their children. It is a story based on personal documents that reveal the painful and traumatic experience of a family in crisis. Directed by Satsuki Ina.

Free Screening. For more program information, visit: www.janm.org/events or call (213) 625-0414 (reservations)