Civil Liberties Notes: Art and Law

Over the weekend, a two-day symposium on civil liberties in Twin Falls, Idaho, was presented by the National Park Service, Friends of Minidoka, and College of Southern Idaho. The symposium is associated with the annual pilgrimage to the Minidoka National Historic Site, “home” to nearly 10,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. A Southern Idaho TV station did a story on the symposium, and Twin Falls newspaper interviewed a presenter. This year’s symposium was about art as related to civil liberties in the camps (drawing by Jack Matsuoka).

In a separate press release we learned that four Asian American civil liberties groups are joining forces under a new name, Asian American Center for Advancing Justice. The four affiliating organizations–the Asian American Institute (AAI), Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), Asian Law Caucus (ALC) and Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC)–will maintain their regional offices but will unite in national initiatives. Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of AAJC, stated, “As independent organizations coordinating around a set of shared vision and values, we will work to promote a fair and equitable society for all; strengthen civil and human rights; and empower the Asian American, Pacific Islander and other marginalized communities.”