Anaheim, CA: The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) June 2 offered condolences to the Japanese American community on the loss of Yuri Kochiyama, a prominent civil rights leader who died in Berkeley, Calif. at the age of 93.
Kochiyama, the daughter of Japanese immigrants, was known for her civil rights activism and for her work on the 1988 Civil Rights Act, which granted reparations and a formal apology from the US government to Japanese American WWII internees. She also worked to advance civil rights causes impacting other minority groups, including African-Americans, Latinos and Native-Americans.
In a statement, CAIR-CA said:
"We offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Yuri Kochiyama. Her tireless dedication to civil rights helped inspire generations of activists, including within the American Muslim community. She will be fondly remembered by all those of us who continue to defend civil liberties and promote justice."
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America's largest civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. |
