The JACL Monterey will host a National JACL Education Committee teacher training on March 25 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM at the JACL Hall at 424 Adams Street, Monterey. Guest speakers for the event are Dr. David Yamada, Professor Emeritus of MPC, and Larry Oda, National JACL President. The training focuses broadly on the internment of civilians of Japanese ancestry during World War II and specifically on the Monterey Petition welcoming the Japanese back to Monterey.
In 1945, as World War II was winding down, 120,000 men, women, and children of Japanese ancestry were freed after three years of incarceration. The return of Japanese Americans to their homes in California, Oregon, and Washington was often marked by vigilante violence and the pressure of certain groups to keep out Japanese Americans permanently. More acts of violence and terrorism were committed against Japanese Americans at the end of the war than at the beginning.
When news of hostilities for those returning to their homes reached those still remaining in the camps, many were reluctant to return home. Given just $25.00 and a train ticket, several thousand Japanese Americans made the long trip back to begin their lives anew.
A few courageous and compassionate citizens in Monterey sought to be the allies of their Japanese American neighbors and initiated the Monterey Petition. Our conversation will focus on that petition and its implications.
The application and registration is available online at jacl.org/2023workshops. There is a $25.00 registration fee, refreshments and lunch will be served, training materials will be provided and participants will receive a stipend for attending.
For more information, please contact Carolyn McCombs, 209-418-8431.
