Vol. 112, No. 17, May 3, 1991. 8 pages. View this issue
A federal grand jury in Raleigh indicted Robert and Lloyd Piche on civil rights charges in the death of Ming Hai Loo, nearly two years after the killing. The paper noted that the case followed the 1987 Vincent Chin trial as the second major federally prosecuted civil rights case involving Asian Americans. Redress also ran through the issue. ‘Redress: The JACL Campaign for Justice,’ a 35-minute video, was set for all 113 JACL chapters, and Bill Hosokawa reviewed it, tracing the fight from Executive Order 9066 to the 1988 Civil Liberties Act. Harry K. Honda wrote on Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, and June Hibino called for the resignation of the L.A. police chief.
Other pages cover Muriel Shapp’s gift of Topaz artifacts to the Balch Institute, Peru President Alberto Fujimori’s visit to Hawaii, and a Hawaii research grant. Two items on immigrant brides and on council districting in New York City round out the eight pages.
What’s in this issue
National
- Federal Trial Set for Loo Case, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Nearly two years after the death of Ming Hai Loo, a federal grand jury in Raleigh indicted brothers Robert and Lloyd Piche on civil rights charges connected to the murder of the Chinese American man in North Carolina. The case follows the 1987 Vincent Chin murder trial as the second major federally prosecuted civil rights violation involving Asian Americans.
- Asian Pacific Heritage Month Gains Momentum, by Harry K. Honda, page 1. Rep. Frank Horton’s bill designating May 1991 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month has passed the House and awaits Senate consideration, marking the growing tradition of national recognition. The piece traces the history of the observance back to its origins and highlights events like the anniversary of Manjiro Nakahama’s arrival in America and the Golden Spike Day commemorating Chinese railroad workers.
- Some Brides Marry for Green Cards, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Social service agencies report that battered Asian immigrant women fear they may not survive the two-year waiting period required before applying for permanent residency under U.S. immigration law. Advocates describe cases of abuse where citizen husbands use immigration status as leverage, though a 1990 amendment allows women to petition on grounds of extreme cruelty.
- Fujimori Given Warm Welcome, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Peru President Alberto Fujimori was honored by the Hawaii Legislature and Gov. John Waihee during a stopover en route to an Inter-American Bank for Development conference. Waihee praised Fujimori, a second-generation Japanese Peruvian, as one of the world’s most inspiring leaders working toward social justice despite his country’s internal challenges.
Community
- L.A. Leaders Honored for Fight Against Hate Crimes, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Los Angeles County officials were honored for their Inter Ethnic Relations Leadership Training Program aimed at resolving inter-racial conflict, coinciding with National Crime Victims Week. Statistics showed hate-motivated crimes in L.A. County rose 46 percent in 1990, with crimes against Asians up 8.9 percent.
- Governor’s Wife Presents Gifts to Balch Institute, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Muriel Shapp, wife of former Pennsylvania Gov. Milton Shapp, donated a collection of seashell jewelry and other artifacts from the Topaz, Utah relocation center to the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies in Philadelphia. Shapp taught at Topaz during the war and donated over 20 pieces of jewelry along with photographs and a 1944 Topaz yearbook.
- Research Grant Announced, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Hawaii Japanese Immigrant Preservation Association has established a research grant program offering up to $2,500 for research related to Japanese immigrant history and culture in Hawaii. The grants are open to students and researchers focused on documenting immigrant roots and heritage.
- Minority Groups Wrangle Over Districting in New York City, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Asian Americans, Hispanics, and other minority groups in Lower Manhattan are contesting proposed redistricting plans as the city expands council districts from 35 to 51 ahead of the November election. Asians are concentrated in Lower Manhattan where they may gain enough population to elect a representative of their own community.
- Minority Groups in New Mayor’s Office Draw Criticism, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Los Angeles city councilman Nate Holden criticized a mayoral appointment process, saying it reinforces stereotypes about minority representation. The item also notes CSU system degree statistics showing the proportion of degrees awarded to non-white and Asian American students.
Incarceration & Redress
- Redress Video Ready, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A new 35-minute video titled ‘Redress: The JACL Campaign for Justice’ documenting the JACL’s role in the redress movement will be distributed to all 113 chapters. The film, produced by Visual Communications with the JACL Redress Video Project committee, chronicles the movement from the 1970s through the 1988 Civil Liberties Act and the check presentations to Issei centenarians in 1990.
Commentary
- Why the L.A. Police Chief Must Resign, by June Hibino, page 4. In this editorial from the National Coalition for Redress and Reparations, the author argues that LAPD Chief Daryl Gates must resign following the Rodney King beating and his history of racist statements. The piece connects the incident to broader issues of police accountability, civil rights, and cross-community solidarity.
- JACL Redress Campaign on Video Tape, by Bill Hosokawa, page 4. Bill Hosokawa reviews the new video ‘Redress: The JACL Campaign for Justice,’ praising its depiction of the decades-long fight for redress from Executive Order 9066 to the 1988 Civil Liberties Act. He highlights memorable footage of Min Yasui, Spark Matsunaga, and Hisano Fujimoto, while suggesting the film could be expanded with additional funding.
- National Officials Needed to Be at Video Hearing, by Neal Taniguchi, page 4. In this letter to the editor, the author responds to criticism of JACL representatives Carole Hayashino and Joy Morimoto’s testimony against the educational video ‘Without Due Process’ at California curriculum hearings. He defends their testimony as representing community and educator concerns about the video’s shortcomings in addressing racism as a cause of internment.
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