![]() ![]() They include Officer Dipa Patel, Georgia’s first Indian-American female peace officer Dr. ![]() In addition to Korematsu, champions from the AAPI community were recognized by the Georgia General Assembly. ![]() Representative Pak introduced the Resolution declaring January 30, 2014, to be Georgia's Inaugural Fred Korematsu Day, joining several other states across the country. Pak, Pedro Marin, Stacey Abrams, and others recognized Karen Korematsu and our AAPI Community Champions: Dr. The moment on the floor of the Georgia General Assembly (Georgia House) when Reps. Karen Korematsu was the keynote at the southern barbecue luncheon. Farooq Mughal (MS Global Partners) and Mike Vaquer (The Vaquer Firm) moderated the briefing and explained the efforts to request legislation to install a permanent Asian Commission for the State of Georgia to oversee the interest of the Asian American diaspora. Pak, Pedro Marin, and Brooks Coleman spoke at the morning Policy Briefing and Luncheon held at the Floyd Veterans Memorial Building. The event drew over 150 participants from across the state. Karen Korematsu has produced lesson plans to discuss Fred Korematsu's story and its relevance in today's increasingly hostile environment for Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian American communities. This was an historic opportunity to meet and listen to the daughter of a legendary civil rights hero, to share her personal stories about her father's courage. Georgia's Inaugural Fred Korematsu Day began with a photo with Governor Nathan Deal at the Capitol. Korematsu said of his vindication: “I would like to see the government admit that they were wrong and do something about it so this will never happen again to any American citizen of any race, creed, or color.” He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998, our nation's highest civilian honor. Originally upheld by the Supreme Court, his unlawful conviction was finally vacated over 40 years later through the efforts of a dedicated legal team. During World War II, Korematsu, an American citizen, was prosecuted for conscientiously refusing to report to a Japanese-American internment camp. This day highlights issues important to Georgia’s diverse AAPI communities, and raises awareness of Fred Korematsu, one of our country’s greatest civil rights heroes. The event was rescheduled from its original date on January 30, 2014, due to the snowstorm that hit Atlanta. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) gathered at the State Capitol on February 6, 2014, to celebrate the 2014 AAPI Legislative Day and Georgia’s inaugural Fred Korematsu Day. ![]()
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