JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE

Through its programs and resources, the Twin Cities chapter strives to: protect and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others; preserve and promote the cultural heritage and values of Japanese Americans in a multicultural society; participate in the development of understanding among all social and ethnic groups; and promote a sense of community among local people of Japanese ancestry.

The chapter's Oral History Committee has been working diligently to videorecord the oral history testimonies of our community's elders for historical, research and education purposes. To read more about this ongoing endeavor, see the Project link on the right menu.

The Education Committee continues to provide community programs and exhibits on the Japanese American internment during World War II, Military Intelligence Service Language School, 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team, and other aspects of the Japanese American experience. The committee also makes available to schools and community groups speakers, curriculum materials, books, teacher guides, videos and photographs.

A scholarship program hosted by the chapter annually recognizes outstanding high school graduates. Click on the Scholarship Project link to the right for more info on this program.

Additional ongoing chapter activities include community forums, intergenerational dinners, youth-organized activities, annual holiday party for children, summer picnic, golf tournament, booths at the Festival of Nations, quarterly newsletter, Chrysanthemum Banquet, Japanese cooking classes, and support of numerous educational, cultural and community efforts presented by other organizations.

The national JACL was founded in 1929 and is the nation’s oldest and largest Asian American civil and human rights organization. The JACL has worked to overturn more than 600 discriminatory laws and statutes and has been a leader in efforts to increase public awareness and understanding of racism. The organization is committed to securing and maintaining the human and civil rights of Americans of Japanese ancestry and others victimized by injustice. JACL has 112 chapters nationwide, eight regional districts with more than 24,000 members from 23 states, and offices in San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Visit our chapter website: www.twincitiesjacl.org.