The UN never formally acknowledged or acted upon the petition. However, the document has had a lasting legacy, influencing later Black activists, including Malcolm X and the Black Panther Party. It continues to be studied as a framework for analyzing structural racism and police violence. /end

The petition received significant international media attention, especially in Europe, and challenged the U.S.’s claims of moral leadership during the Cold War. However, it was largely ignored by the mainstream American press and dismissed by the U.S. government as “communist propaganda.” /5

The document cited numerous examples as evidence, including lynchings, police brutality and lack of accountability for violence against Black people. It also cited systematic disenfranchisement, legal discrimination, and inequities in healthcare, housing, education and job opportunities. /4

The document used the UN’s 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide to argue its case. It defined genocide not just as mass slaughter but as “intent to destroy, in whole or in part” by causing serious harm and creating conditions that lead to premature death. /3

The document was issued as a petition, presented simultaneously to UN officials in Paris by CRC Executive Secretary William L. Patterson and in New York by acclaimed singer and activist Paul Robeson. It was signed by prominent African American activists, intellectuals and civil rights figures. /2

Totally!

In 1980, President Carter appointed a commission to investigate, which determined that internment had been driven by racism. In 1988, President Reagan signed a bill to compensate each of the 82,219 surviving internees with a tax-free check for $20,000 and an apology. /end

To avoid the appearance of being forced to close the camps, the FDR administration issued Public Proclamation No. 21 one day before the Endo and Korematsu rulings were made public. The Court reportedly delayed announcing its decisions to give the government time to announce the closures. /5

On Dec. 18, 1944, the Supreme Court ruled in Korematsu v. United States that the removal of Japanese Americans was constitutional. However, in Ex parte Endo it ruled that loyal U.S. citizens of the United States could not be detained without cause. FDR was given advance warning of the decisions. /4

Japanese Americans — most of whom were American citizens — were taken from their homes and jobs and sent to isolated camps around the country. There, they endured poor conditions and harsh treatment by guards for almost three years. They lost an estimated $400 million in property and businesses. /3

FDR signed Executive Order 9066 on Feb. 19, 1942, authorizing the removal of any or all people from “military areas.” The military defined the entire West Coast as a military area and relocated more than 110,000 people of Japanese descent who were living in the region. /2

Happy #hanukkah25!

Thank you for sharing this, Patti.

There was a moment when this child's face lit up with wonder. This is what acts of love and kindness can do.

Less screaming with hate. More love and kindness.

Thank you so much! Happy Hanukkah!