From the beginning, the Japanese American National Museum has been committed to sharing the story of the unlawful incarceration of 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry during World War II with a broad public. We do this so that no other group of people will have to experience the consequences of actions that the US government formally admitted were “motivated largely by racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.”

We need your support now to make sure that it does not happen again.

Now, on the 75th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066, which led directly to the incarceration of people of Japanese ancestry, the country appears to be on the brink of making the exact same mistakes. Racial prejudice, fearmongering, and aggressive policies are in place that unfairly target certain immigrant groups, such as Muslims and Mexicans. This is all happening in spite of the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 which provided a formal apology and financial redress to those incarcerated during World War II.

Please donate now and stand with JANM to ensure that no group is ever targeted again the way we were.

This is an urgent appeal to you, our most loyal supporters, to continue or increase your support of JANM so that we can carry on our crucial work of educating the public. As we reflect on the legacy of EO 9066, we are more committed than ever to ensure that history is not repeated. Here are just some of the programs and actions we are working on:

• We issued strong public statements condemning the citing of the Japanese American incarceration as a “precedent” for a Muslim registry.


• We opened a new interactive exhibition, Instructions to All Persons, designed to engage visitors in critical discussions of the continuing relevance of the Japanese American WWII incarceration experience.


• We hosted the 2017 Los Angeles Day of Remembrance, which brought together members of the local Japanese, Muslim, Jewish, Native, Latinx, and African American communities to reflect on the anniversary of the signing of EO 9066.


• We facilitated a series of public conversations that generated dialogue around the themes of compassion, transparency, speaking out, and solidarity.


• We welcome over 10,000 students each year for exhibition tours led by knowledgeable docents, some of whom were incarcerated during World War II.

JANM is committed to the preservation of democracy.
I know you are too.

Please join with me. Your gift will help JANM counter hate and lead with compassion and understanding, and work to make our nation a better and more tolerant place.

Sincerely,

Norman Y. Mineta
Chair, Board of Trustees, Japanese American National Museum
US Secretary of Transportation, January 2001–August 2006
US Secretary of Commerce, July 2000–January 2001
US House of Representatives, January 1975–January 1995

Image: Tule Lake concentration camp in California, 1945.
Photo by Jack Iwata. Gift of Jack and Peggy Iwata.

The mission of the Japanese American National Museum is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience.

Japanese American National Museum
100 North Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213.625.0414
janm.org • janmstore.com
DiscoverNikkei.org • blog.janm.org

Financial and other information about Japanese American National Museum’s purpose, programs, and activities can be obtained by contacting Ann Burroughs at 100 N. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213.625.0414, or for residents of the following states, as stated below. Maryland: For the cost of postage and copying, documents and information submitted under Md. Business Regulation Code Ann. Title 6. are available from the Secretary of State. Michigan: MICS No. 11620. Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of Japanese American National Museum may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1.888.236.6167. New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING 973.504.6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.htm. New York: Upon request, Attorney General Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1.888.830.4989 (within North Carolina) or 919.807.2214 (outside of North Carolina). Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of Japanese American National Museum may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1.800.732.0999. Virginia: From the State Office of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. Washington: From the Secretary of State at 1.800.332.4483. West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. CONTRIBUTIONS ARE DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW. REGISTRATION IN A STATE DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION OF JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM BY THE STATE.