Yasui coram nobis case continues; redress bill introduced

Vol. 104, No. 2, January 16, 1987. 8 pages. View this issue

The Pacific Citizen reported that the family of the late Minoru Yasui and their attorneys will continue his coram nobis case, even though the government moved to dismiss it after his death. True Yasui held a press conference, and former internees from all 10 wartime camps stood with the family. Reps. Norman Mineta and Robert Matsui backed the case. The front page also reported that the Civil Liberties Act of 1987 (H.R. 442) was introduced in the 100th Congress, and Grayce Uyehara’s LEC Update listed its co-sponsors.

The front page also covered tensions between Black and Asian communities in Philadelphia, with a column by Acel Moore, and plans to take English-only campaigns like Proposition 63 to other states. Editor Lynn Sakamoto-Chung announced her resignation, and the issue also has stories on Howard Beach protesters in New York, immigration law implementation, and Pat Morita’s new ABC series.

What’s in this issue

National

• Broadcaster’s Remarks Add to Black-Asian Tensions in Pa., by P.C. Staff, page 1. A radio host’s inflammatory comments about Korean merchants sparked tension between Black and Asian communities in Philadelphia after a zoning dispute over a Chinese-owned restaurant. Community leaders and organizations attempted to mediate, while concerns grew about potential violence and boycotts targeting Asian businesses.
• Proposition 63 Forces Plan Campaigns in Other States, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Proponents of California’s English-only initiative Proposition 63 plan to expand similar campaigns to Arizona, Florida and Texas after its passage with 73 percent of the vote. Civil rights groups are preparing to oppose efforts to curtail multilingual services and bilingual education programs.
• Take-Out Owner Sentenced; Controversy May Be Subsiding, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Chinese American store owner Cheung Hung Chan was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to reduced charges stemming from an incident with a Black customer that sparked protests in Anacostia, D.C. Community leaders are now split, with some business associations passing resolutions welcoming Chan back after the Rev. Willie Wilson’s protests ended last month.
• Mineta Reappointed as Whip, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Norman Mineta was reappointed Deputy Whip for the 100th Congress by newly elected Speaker Jim Wright. Mineta expressed enthusiasm about continuing in the leadership post he has held since 1982.

Incarceration & Redress

• Family, Attorneys to Continue Yasui Appeal, by Carole Hayashino, page 1. True Yasui and her family held a press conference announcing their intent to continue the late Minoru Yasui’s coram nobis case despite the government’s motion to dismiss it following his death. Former internees from all 10 wartime camps stood in solidarity, wearing identification tags symbolizing their wartime incarceration.
• Congressmen Support Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Reps. Norman Mineta and Robert Matsui publicly endorsed continuing Minoru Yasui’s coram nobis case after his death. Both congressmen emphasized the importance of the case to justice and constitutional rights for Japanese Americans.
• Redress Bill Is Introduced in 100th Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Civil Liberties Act of 1987 (H.R. 442) was introduced by Rep. Tom Foley with 124 co-sponsors, implementing the 1983 CWRIC recommendations including an apology and $20,000 payments to surviving internees. Mineta and Matsui expressed strong support for moving the legislation forward in the new Congress.
• Continuation of Yasui Case, by P.C. Staff, page 8. This continuation details statements from Holly and Homer Yasui and attorney Peggy Nagae on the importance of continuing Minoru Yasui’s coram nobis case, drawing parallels to the wartime cases of Fred Korematsu and Gordon Hirabayashi. Former internees representing all 10 camps attended the press conference in a show of solidarity.

Commentary

• A Call for Tolerance, by Acel Moore, page 2. Philadelphia Inquirer associate editor Acel Moore condemns radio host Georgie Woods’ inflammatory remarks about Korean merchants while acknowledging the legitimate goal of supporting Black economic development. Moore argues that racial tensions are rising nationally and locally, citing the Howard Beach attack, and calls for distinguishing between economic competition and racial prejudice.
• Nihon-Mikan Grower Shig Uota Brings Sweet Success, page 4. A columnist writes about discovering Shig Uota, a Fresno-area farmer who after 15 years of effort successfully developed seedless, sweet Satsuma mandarins comparable to the beloved Japanese nihon-mikan. Uota, who came to the U.S. in 1921 and was incarcerated at Poston during WW2, was honored by Emperor Hirohito for his agricultural contributions.
• A Difficult Decision, by Lynn Sakamoto-Chung, page 4. Pacific Citizen editor Lynn Sakamoto-Chung announces her resignation from the paper for personal reasons, while expressing deep appreciation for JACL and its people. She outlines plans for a transition period and new initiatives including a stringer network and financial advice column before her departure.
• LEC Update: Redress Bill Co-Sponsors Listed, by Grayce Uyehara, page 4. LEC Update details the strong start for H.R. 442, the redress bill reintroduced in the 100th Congress with 126 co-sponsors, crediting the efforts of Reps. Matsui and Mineta. The column lists all co-sponsors by state and notes Sen. Spark Matsunaga’s plans to introduce a companion Senate bill.
• Philadelphia Commentary: Nakasone’s Remarks and Community Tensions, by Acel Moore, page 6. This continuation piece discusses how Prime Minister Nakasone’s racist remarks about Blacks and Hispanics contributed to strained relations, alongside incidents of vandalism and violence between Asian and Black residents in Philadelphia neighborhoods. The author argues that racial violence remains the exception and calls for civic and religious leadership to confront discrimination.

Arts & Entertainment

• Morita Plays L.A. Detective in Upcoming ABC-TV Series, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Pat Morita stars as a widowed LAPD detective lieutenant in the new ABC series ‘Ohara,’ premiering Jan. 17. The show also features Kevin Conroy, Catherine Keener, Richard Yniguez, Jack Wallace and Madge Sinclair in supporting roles.

Community

• N.Y. Asians Participate in Howard Beach Protest, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Twenty Asian Americans organized by the Coalition Against Anti-Asian Violence joined a 5,000-person demonstration protesting the Howard Beach mob attack that killed Michael Griffith. Organizer Mini Liu drew parallels between the attack and anti-Asian violence cases including the killing of Vincent Chin.
• Merit Scholars, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Eight Asian American students at Huron High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan qualified as semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. The students were named as part of a group of 23 semifinalists from the school.
• Asian American Journalists to Be Counted, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Asian American Journalists Association is launching a nationwide census of Asian American journalists and journalism students to create a national roster. The directory will help media employers and organizations connect with Asian American journalists in their areas.
• Korean American Declares Candidacy for L.A. Council, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Attorney Art Song Jr. announced his candidacy for Los Angeles City Council’s 10th District seat, vacated by David Cunningham, joining two other declared candidates. Song argued against the notion that the racially mixed district seat should be reserved for Black candidates, emphasizing coexistence among all ethnic groups.
• INS Discusses New Law With Asian Pacific Community Reps, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Representatives of Asian Pacific American legal and social service organizations met with INS District Director Ernest Gustafson to discuss implementation of the new immigration law. The groups agreed on measures including regular liaison meetings, translation of materials, and identifying community agencies for legalization processing.

Obituaries

• George Obata, by P.C. Staff, page 8. George Obata, a longtime member of Washington, D.C. JACL and 30-year 1000 Club member, died Nov. 28, with memorial services held Dec. 2. He is survived by his wife Kiyoko, brother Benjamin, and sisters Mary Obata and Grace Amemiya.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.