Submitted Photo Karen Korematsu, daughter of the subject of Korematsu vs. U.S., will speak at the Robert H. Jackson Center’s “Fight for Justice.”

JAMESTOWN – The Robert H. Jackson Center (RHJC) is pleased to present “The Fight for Justice,” a two-day event commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Korematsu v. U.S. Fred Korematsu was one of four men who defied President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066, which authorized the American internment camps that all Japanese Americans were sent to from their homes during World War II. His 1944 landmark case before the United States Supreme Court challenged the constitutionality of imprisoning U.S. citizens based on nationality, but the majority Court upheld his conviction for violating the exclusion order in a 6-3 ruling. Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson disagreed strongly with the majority opinion of the Court. His dissenting opinion continues to be read today in law schools as a prime example of an Equal Protection Clause violation under the Fourteenth Amendment.

On Monday, May 13 at 7 p.m., the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts will present the documentary “Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story.” Following the documentary will be the film “Snow Falling on Cedars.” Admission is $5 per person. Ticket sales are through the Reg Lenna ticket office.

On Tuesday, May 14 at 9:30 a.m., the program continues at the Robert H. Jackson Center, 305 E. Fourth St., with a lecture by John Q. Barrett, Professor of Law at St. John’s University, Jackson Center Board member and Elizabeth Lenna Fellow. Additionally, there will be a play read of “Korematsu v. U.S.: Justice Denied,” a play written by U.S. Appellate Court Judge Denny Chin and based on the Korematsu case, and RHJC’s board member and co-founder Gregory Peterson will interview Karen Korematsu, daughter of Fred T. Korematsu and founder and Executive Director of The Fred T. Korematsu Institute. This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required for the May 14 event by phone at 483-6646 or online at roberthjackson.org/events.

This program is made possible through the generosity of our donors and the following sponsors: Ahlstrom Schaeffer, Allegheny College, The Hon. Joseph Gerace Fund and the Jefferson Educational Society.

The Robert H. Jackson Center is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that envisions a global society where the universal principles of equality, fairness and justice prevail. The Center invites and engages students of all ages, scholars, educators, national officials and international dignitaries to analyze contemporary issues of peace and justice through the lens of Justice Jackson’s body of work.