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St. Louis Chapter History A Brief History of Nation JACL
The Japanese American Citizens League was founded in California in 1929 to address issues of legal discrimination. At the time the state of California had over 100 laws that specifically limited the rights of persons of Japanese History. The JACL is now the nation's oldest and one of the largest Asian American civil rights organizations. For more information, please visit our national organization's website.
Regrouping in St. Louis after World War II
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States declared war on Japan. It also interned 110,000 people of Japanese ancestry -- including over 70,000 American citizens by birth.
One should note that:
The Struggle for Japanese American Civil Rights
St. Louis JACL members actively supported the post-war drive to obtain citizenship for the immigrant Japanese (issei) who had been denied citizenship because of their race. The movement was aided when the exploits were revealed of the 442/100th Regimental Combat Team, which was composed of nisei (children of Japanese immigrants) and fought heroically in Europe. Additionally nisei served in the Pacific theater in the Military Intelligence Service in the war against Japan. This effort culminated the passage of the McCarran Walters Immigration Act which reopened immigration from Asia and provided for citizenship for the issei.
New Challenges, New Faces
The St. Louis Chapter started raising funds for a gift to the City of St. Louis for its support through annual Japanese Festivals held in several locations. When a gift of a stone Japanese lantern was offered to the Missouri Botanical Garden, Dr. Peter Raven, Director of the Garden, proposed constructing a Japanese Garden instead and the funds were used to engage a garden designer, Koichi Kawana, who designed the largest and most beautiful one in the United States. Annual Japanese festivals are held at the Garden for the education and enjoyment of thousands of people since the first festival was held in the Garden in 1976.
The Chapter continues today with a younger generation of citizens supporting the community and the National JACL with added emphasis on coalitions with other American Asian groups and to continue striving to be "Better Americans in a greater America."
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