The Power of Our Stories: The Fight for Civil Liberties in the Japanese American Community and Beyond

On Sunday, January 5 from 2-4pm, we invite you to gather at
the Downtown Branch of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries to engage in a
discussion of California civil liberties history from the days of slavery to
the post 9/11 era, highlighting courageous Californians whose battles in
courts, classrooms and streets shaped the rights we have today.

When Elaine Elinson and Stan Yogi, authors of WHEREVER THERE’S

A FIGHT (a history of California’s civil liberties activities) talk about the

era of the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, they
will be joined by poet Brian Komei Dempster who will read from first-person
stories written by former camp prisoners.

Mr. Dempster will also read from his collection, TOPAZ,
which examines the Japanese American imprisonment experience, its legacy and
impact on younger generations, and intersecting issues of race, gender,
sexuality, and power.

We are honored that Jeanne Houston, prominent Japanese
American co-author of FAREWELL TO MANZANAR will also be joining the panel.

An exhibit based on the book by Elinson and Yogi will also
be on view at the branch.