The Road to Redress for Japanese Americans

About this Primary Source Set

The Road to Redress primary source set contains documents related to the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 which offered an apology and redress to Japanese Americans who were incarcerated by the U.S. government during World War II. The documents highlight the debates around the issue of redress as well as the wide-spread mobilization among individuals, communities, and organizations during the years-long effort to pass the legislation. It also contains examples of letters from the formerly incarcerated and their family members expressing their support and gratitude for the apology and redress.  This primary source set, which showcases materials from the Senator Spark M. Matsunaga papers, was created in 2024, in partnership with the Hawai'i Congressional Papers Collection, by Martha Cheng. On February 29, 2024, Martha gave a talk on this subject: "Victim and ally voices surrounding government apologies: The case of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988." 

Banner image: Relocation Commission  chairman Joan Bernstein,  June 21, 1984. Associated Press.

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