Inventory of the Janice Yen Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress Collection SPC.2022.043
Jennifer Hill
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
December 22, 2022
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Business Number: 310-243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Janice Yen Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress Collection
Creator:
Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2022.043
Physical Description:
4 boxes
Physical Description:
1.67 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1981-2019
Abstract: This collection includes flyers, newspaper clippings, organizational documents, press releases, issues of "Banner," digitized
photographs, and other material related to the Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR), formally known as the National
Coalition for Redress and Reparations. It also includes material related to the Little Tokyo People's Rights Organization
(LTPRO), Japanese Americans, and Japanese American redress. This collection contains some digitized material.
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Janice Yen donated material and loaned photographs to the Gerth Archives and Special Collections in 2022.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Jennifer Hill with assistance from Anthony Rojo in December 2022. Most of the titles are
from the original folders.
Historical Note for Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress
NCRR (Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress) emerged as a grassroots movement in 1980, fighting for redress and reparations
for Nikkei (Japanese Americans) incarcerated during World War II. Founded by Japanese Americans from across the country, NCRR
was first known as the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations. The non-profit organization worked to bring the community
together to seek justice for the thousands of Nikkei deprived of their civil rights during World War II. NCRR played a pivotal
role in helping former Nikkei incarcerees to testify at the 1981 hearings before the Commission on Wartime Relocation and
Internment of Civilians (CWRIC), a Congress-appointed group charged with conducting an official study of the wartime incarceration
of Nikkei. NCRR worked together with other Nikkei organizations, individuals, and Congress members towards enacting the Civil
Liberties Act of 1988 that granted reparations. They also fought to ensure that redress was implemented and campaigned for
those that were denied the reparations.
In 2000, the Los Angeles Chapter updated its name to Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress to reflect its ongoing mission. Among
the many projects it has undertaken, with the help of grants through the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund (CLPEF), NCRR
made available on video, "Speak Out for Justice," the 1981 CWRIC hearings held in Los Angeles. In 2004, NCRR released "Stand
Up for Justice," an educational short film of Ralph Lazo, who accompanied his incarcerated Nikkei friends during World War
II. In February 2020, NCRR co-chaired and presented in partnership with other organizations the Day of Remembrance 2020, held
annually in remembrance of Executive Order 9066, authorizing the removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans. Today, the
organization continues to engage in similar campaigns against injustice and educate the public on wartime injustices.
Nikkei For Civil Rights and Redress Related Materials
Related Materials
Scope and Contents
The Janice Yen Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress Collection contains 1.67 linear feet of newspaper clippings, flyers, booklets,
"Banner" publications, organizational documents, two digitized photograph binders, and other material related to the Nikkei
for Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR), formally known as the National Coalition for Redress and Reparations. The digitized photographs
in the collection include Little Tokyo's Peoples events and outreach, Manzanar Pilgrimage, candlelight vigils, NCRR strikes,
NCRR conferences and events, Day of Remembrance events, Big Mountain Support photographs, Office of Redress Administration
(ORA) meeting photographs, and along with other photographs related to the Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress. The collection
was organized by Janice Yen, a member, photographer, and archivist for the Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress.
Processing Information
The Gerth Archives and Special Collections created digital reproductions from the original material for long-term preservation
and access. These preservation files were scanned to and stored on the Gerth Archives and Special Collections Deparment Drive.
For more information on the best practices and standards for the digitization process, please see:
CSU Japanese American Digitization Project technical reference guide.
Existence and Location of Originals
Two photograph binders were loaned to the Gerth Archives and Special Collections for digitization and will be returned to
the donor when digitization is complete.
Biographical Note for Janice Yen
Janice Yen was born in 1942 in Santa Cruz, California, to Masaharu and Haruko. Shortly after she was born, her family was
forcibly removed to the Salinas Fairgrounds and then to the Poston incarceration camp. After leaving Poston in 1944, Janice's
family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Janice attended school in Cleveland until her family moved back to San Martin, California,
in 1948. Her parents worked as farmers and bought land with other family members in California.
Janice graduated from Live Oak High School and then attended UC Davis before transferring to UC Berkley. She also attended
San Jose State College, Columbia University in New York, and UCLA for post-graduate degrees.
Janice became involved with the Little Tokyo People's Rights Organization in 1976 or 1977 as part of the Outreach Committee.
She later became part of the Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR), formally known as the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations.
Janice volunteered for various committees while in NCRR, including the Redress and Education committee. She was also the associate
producer of the NCRR/Visual Communications docudrama, "Stand Up for Justice," project coordinator for "Speaking Out for Justice"
videotapes, and has volunteered for other NCRR positions, including photographer and archivist.
Bibliography
Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress and Lane Ryo Hirabayashi. 2018. NCRR : The Grassroots Struggle for Japanese American Redress
and Reparations. Los Angeles, CA: UCLA Asian American Studies Center Press.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Japanese Americans -- Civil rights
Japanese Americans -- Reparations
Reparations for historical injustices -- United States
Little Tokyo (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Civil rights
Japanese American newspapers
box 1, folder 1
Redress and Reparations Committee
May 1981; August 1981; October-November 1981
Scope and Contents
Includes testimony from Alan Nisho, President of the Little Tokyo's People Rights Organization to the Commission on Wartime
Evacuation and Internment of Civilians, "Outline" by Lane R. Hirabayashi, "NCRR Community Recommendations for R/R," "Draft
of JCPA Testimony Outline," "Japanese American Bar Association of the Greater Los Angeles Area present to Executive Administrator,"
"Reparations for Japanese Americans for Personal Injuries caused by the Federal Government Action During World World Two"
by Gerald Masahiro Sato, and other material related to Japanese American reparations.
box 1, folder 2
NCRR 1981
February 1981; July-December 1981; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes "NCRR Banner" Vol. 1, no. 5 and February 1981 issue, handwritten notes, publications relations folder from Nikkei
for Civil Rights and Redress, flyers, and other related material.
box 1, folder 3
1981 Donated Newspaper Clippings
January-March 1981; July-September 1981; December 1981; undated
box 1, folder 4
1981 Newspaper Clippings
February-May 1981; July-November 1981; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes "LTPRO Bulletin" no. 15 and other material related to the Little Tokyo's Peoples Rights Organization (LTPRO), Manzanar
pilgrimage flyer, newspaper clippings, and copied Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) flyer.
box 1, folder 5
NCRR 1982
February-June 1982; August-December 1982
Scope and Contents
Includes "Crosscurrents: Newsletter of the Asian American Studies Center" (Vol. 5, no. 3) Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress
press releases and media packet, Little Tokyo's Peoples Rights Organization (LTPRO) 6th annual dinner program, flyers, and
other material.
box 1, folder 6
NCRR 1983
February-April 1983; July-October 1983; December 1983
Scope and Contents
Includes Senate Bill 2116, House of Representatives Bill 442, and CWRIC Recommendation. Also included are Nikkei for Civil
Rights press releases, meeting notes, steering committee notes, and other material related to Nikkei for Civil Rights and
Redress and Japanese American reparations.
box 1, folder 7
1983
January-December 1983; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings and 43rd Annual Festival Nisei Week Program.
box 2, folder 1
NCRR 1984 - NCRR Senate Hearings Testimony
March-April 1984; August-October 1984; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress press releases, flyers, reports, working notes, "NCRR Banner" Vol. 3, no. 3,
and other related material.
box 2, folder 2
1984 Senate Subcomm Hearings L.A.
August 16, 1984; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes "Economic Losses: Impact on Family and Community for Monetary Redress and Reparations;" witness lists for the Committee
on Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Civil Service, post office, and general services; "Statement of Mas Fukai to the Senate
Subcommittee on Civil Service, Post Office, and General Services;" and "Statement of Mervyn M. Dymally." Also included are
testimonies for Kiyoshi Sonoda, George Takei, Dr. Mary Oda, Japanese American Citizens League, Washington Coalition on Redress,
and Mas Odoi.
box 2, folder 3
1984 Newspaper Clippings
February-June 1984
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings and newsletter from the National Council for Japanese American Redress.
box 2, folder 4
NCRR 1985
March 1985; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress meeting roster, newsclipping, and protest flyer.
box 2, folder 5
NCRR 1987
July-October 1987; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes "Redress! The American Promise," letter from Janice Yen to Edward R. Roybal, member of Congress; newspaper clippings;
and "Tozai Times" (Vol. 3, no. 36).
box 2, folder 6
NCRR 1988
April 1988; August-September 1988; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes flyers, newspaper clippings, a letter to President Ronald Regan, and a letter from Annie Higgin.
box 2, folder 7
1988-1989
February 1988; September 1988; July 1989; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress event flyers and copied newspaper clipping.
box 2, folder 8
NCRR 1989
April-May 1989; July-November 1989; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings, Manzanar project map, Nisei Week bookmark, and Eastern California Museum business card.
box 2, folder 9
NCRR 1990
February 1990; July-August 1990; October 1990; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes "Tozai Times" (Vol. 7, no. 73), newspaper clippings, "NCRR Banner (July-August 1990), and letter to President George
Bush.
box 2, folder 10
NCRR Conference 10-20-90
September-October 1990
Scope and Contents
Includes "Against All Odds: The Japanese Americans' Campaign for Redress," maps, conference schedule, flyers, and other material
related to the Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress conference.
box 2, folder 11
NCRR 1991
June 1991; October 1991; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes copied newspaper clippings.
box 2, folder 12
NCRR 1992
February-May 1992; October-November 1992
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings, Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress brochure, "And Justice for All" event information, and other
related material.
box 2, folder 13
NCRR 1993
July-September 1993; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings, "Tozai Times" (Vol. 19, no. 100), "NCRR Banner: Newsletter of the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations,"
NCRR general meeting agenda, and letter to Attorney General Janet Reno and Senator Dianne Feinstein.
box 2, folder 14
NCRR 1994
January 1994; July-August 1994; December 1994
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings.
box 2, folder 15
1995 Denied Redress Cases
January-February 1995; July-August 1995; December 1995
Scope and Contents
Includes "Redress Regulations Questions and Answers;" "The Banner" (January-February); Redress update from Nikkei for Civil
Rights and Redress; copied newspaper clippings; letter from Richard Katsuda, NCRR, to Gerald Sato; NCRR Case files; and other
related material.
box 2, folder 16
NCRR 1995
May 1995; July-December 1995; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress newsletter and press releases, handwritten notes, newspaper clippings, and other
related material.
box 2, folder 17
NCRR Press Releases 1996
January-February 1996; May 1996; October 1996
Scope and Contents
Includes press releases, drafts of press releases, newspaper clippings, and fax reciepts.
box 3, folder 1
News Clippings 1996
January-March 1996; July-December 1996; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings; letter to Janet Reno, United States Attorney General, from Kenji Umemoto; letter to DeDe Greene,
Administrator, United States Department of Justice Office of Redress Administration, from Aileen Hongo for Michiko Ambo; other
letters to the Office of Redress Administration; flyers; newsletters from the Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress; and letter
from Robert T. Matsui, Member of Congress, to Janice Yen.
box 3, folder 2
1997
January-February 1997; May 1997; July-December 1997; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes community meeting sign in sheets; letter from Janice Yen to Representative Robert Matsui; NCRR meeting agendas and
minutes; Day of Remembrance flyers, programs, and other material; NCRR Case Files; railroad worker files; newspaper clippings;
and Rafu Support Committee agendas and other related material.
box 3, folder 3
1997
January-December 1997; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings, Day of Remembrance flyer, other Japanese American event flyers, Nikkei for Civil Rights and
Redress flyers, Campaign for Justice related material, and printed emails.
box 3, folder 4
NCRR 1997: Voices of Japanese American Redress Conference
September 1997
box 3, folder 5
Redress 1998
January-December 1998; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes "Redress and You: How the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 impacts you" brochure, meeting invitations for Railroad/mine
workers and family members, printed emails, "Banner: Newsletter of the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations" (Vol. XX,
no. 2), newspaper clippings, and other material related material.
box 3, folder 6
1998 NCRR
February-June 1998; August-September 1998; November 1998; undated
Scope and Contents
Contains newspaper clippings and Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress event flyer.
box 3, folder 7
Campaign for Justice
February 1998; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes material related to Campaign for Justice: Redress now for Japanese Latin Americans and other Japanese Latin American
related material.
box 3, folder 8
R/R and JLA Articles 1996-1998
1996-1998
Scope and Contents
Includes articles and newspaper clippings related to Japanese Latin Americans and redress and reparations.
box 3, folder 9
1999
January-December 1999; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes letter to President William Jefferson Clinton, Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress press releases, event flyers and
program for Fred Korematsu events, Japanese Latin American and Campaign for Justice material, Day of Remembrance flyer, newspaper
clippings, and other related material.
box 4, folder 1
2000
January-February 2000; May-December 2000; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings; statement by Congressman Xavier Becerra; letter to Tsuneo Nishida, Consul General of Japan;
Day of Remembrance event flyer; Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress committee meeting minutes; Campaign for Justice material;
event flyers; and printed emails.
box 4, folder 2
2001
April 2001; July 2001; September 2001; November 2001; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress meeting agenda, event flyers, and newspaper clippings.
box 4, folder 3
2002
January-March 2002; June 2002; September-December 2002; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes event flyers, the Islamic Center of Southern California program, and newspaper clippings.
box 4, folder 4
Press Clippings 2002-2003
December 2001; January 2002; March-September 2002; January-February 2003; May 2003; July-August 2003; December 2003; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings, "Little Tokyo Recreation Center Timeline," press release for "Stand Up for Justice the Ralph
Lazo Story," "Breaking the Fast," "Banner" (Winter 2002), and Korean Immigrant Workers Advocates (KIWA) brochure.
box 4, folder 5
Press Clippings 2004-2005
May 2004; September-December 2004; January 2005; March 2005; August-September 2005; December 2005; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes Day of Remembrance 2005 postcard, printed email correspondence, material related to the Muslim Public Affairs Council
(MPAC) and the Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress, and newspaper clippings.
box 4, folder 6
Newspaper Clippings 2007
December 2006; January-March 2007; June-November 2007
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings, article, and two event postcards.
box 4, folder 7
NCRR 2008
March-May 2008; July-August 2008; October 2008; December 2008; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings, event flyers, printed articles, and other material related to Prop 8 and Nikkei for Civil Rights
and Redress.
box 4, folder 8
2009 News Clippings
March-April 2009; July 2009; October-December 2009; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings and press release regarding Japanese Latin Americans.
box 4, folder 9
2010 News Clippings
January-March 2010; June 2010; September-December 2009; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings, Day of Remembrance postcards, "Banner" (Winter 2010), event postcards, Campaign for Justice
(Winter/Spring 2009-2010) newsletters, funeral program for William Hohri, program for Lt. Watada, and other related material.
box 4, folder 10
2011 News Clippings
January-March 2011; May 2011; August-December 2011; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings, program, and event flyers.
box 4, folder 11
2012 News Clippings
February 2012; May 2012; August 2012; October 2012; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings, and retirement luncheon program.
box 4, folder 12
2013 News Clippings
January-April 2013; June-August 2013; November-December 2013; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings, "Banner" Winter 2013, and "Designation of the Tuna Canyon Detention Site as a City of Los Angeles
Cultural-Historic Monument.
box 4, folder 13
2014 News Clippings
January-February 2014; April 2014-July 2014; November 2014; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings and postcard "Bridging Communities."
box 4, folder 14
2016 News Clippings
January-February 2016; June 2016; November-December 2016
box 4, folder 15
2017 Press Clippings
January-March 2017; August 2017; November-December 2017; undated
box 4, folder 16
2018 News Clippings
October 2017; January-May 2018
box 4, folder 17
2019 Newspaper Clippings
November-December 2018; January-March 2019; May 2019; October 2019
Scope and Contents
Includes newspaper clippings and postcard from the JACCC "Tales of Clamer" by Pull Project Ensemble.
item Public Use Drive, folder Janice Yen Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress Collection
Album #1 1978-1988
1978-1988
Scope and Contents
Digitized photograph binder that contains images of Little Tokyo's People's Rights Organization (LTPRO) outreach (circa 1978),
Manzanar Pilgrimage (1979), LTPRO bake sale (1979), LTPRO redress outreach (April 1981), United for Justice with Nikkei for
Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR) and Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), NCRR Founding Conference (1980), JFC strike
(1980), Candlelight Vigil (1981), CWRIC Hearing (August 1980), Post Hearing Community Meeting (August 1980), Children's workshop
(1983), Nisei Week Parade with LTPRO (1981), Day of Remembrance (DOR) (1982-1984, 1986), Cherry Blossom Festival (circa 1982),
Nisei Week outreach (1983), Volunteers meeting (October 1983), Rainbow Coalition (circa 1984), Senate Hearings (1984), Big
Mountain Support (June-July 1986), DC Lobbing (July 25, 1987), NCRR victory luau (October 1987), NCRR press conference (October
1988), and Press Conference Reagan signing (1988).
item Public Use Drive, folder Janice Yen Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress Collection
Album #2 1988-1990
August 27, 1988-October 20, 1990
Scope and Contents
Digitized photograph binder with images of Victory Celebrance (August 27, 1988), Day of Remembrance (February 1989), Day of
Protest (August 2, 1989), Press conference (September 12, 1989), Japanese American Citizens League and Nikkei for Civil Rights
and Redress (NCRR) press (September 1989), First meeting with Office of Redress Administration (ORA) (August 1990), First
checks DC (October 9, 1990), NCRR Conference 10th anniversary (October 20, 1990), and other photographs related to the Nikkei
for Civil Rights and Redress.
