Many Japanese Americans who fought for JA Reparations were inspired by the Civil Rights and Black Liberation Movements, and leaders like Malcolm X, Fred Hampton, and Rev. Martin Luther King. We honor the legacy of our redress movement by supporting the movement for Black reparations and working towards dismantling systemic oppression.
The National Nikkei Reparations Coalition (NNRC) officially launched in May 2022. NNRC is a newly formed coalition of Japanese American organizations and organizers that strive to mobilize the Japanese American Community in support of Black Reparations. Our advisors include Black leadership from the Reparations Movement – Kenniss Henry, Dreisen Heath, Jarrett Smith, and Rev. Mark Thompson.
Photo: Civil Rights leaders Malcolm X and Yuri Kochiyama. Photo: May 21, 2022, NNRC Webinar participants
Between May 21-25 the NNRC hosted a national week of action to Demand the Biden Administration advance a Federal Commission for the Study and Development of Reparations for African Americans by Juneteenth! Our Week of Action is in partnership with the H.R. 40 Coalition and the Noise campaign to draw awareness and put public pressure on Biden. Learn more about JACL support of H.R. 40 at jacl.orgHR40.
On May 21, the NNRC hosted the webinar Strengthening Solidarity Through Taking Action,” a conversation with Black reparations and Japanese American redress leaders. The program closed with a call to action to demand the Biden Administration establish a Federal Commission for the Study and Development of Reparations for African Americans by Juneteenth (June 19, 2022).
Visit jacl.org to view the NNRC webinar
Photo: May 21, 2022, NNRC Webinar participants