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How Asian American and African American Activists Worked to Repeal a Hateful Law

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This story is part of the May 19th Project, which promotes solidarity within Asian and Pacific Island communities and with all communities.

Over 120,000 Japanese Americans wereincarcerated during World War 11. Fearful that the same mass incarceration would happen to Black Americans under the menacing Emergency Detention Act, they joined forces with the Black Liberation to force the repeal of the law in 1971. Hear their incredible story narrated by actress Ally Maki, and its relevance to today's racially inequitable system of incarceration.

In the late 60s, civil rights leaders and Japanese Americans joined forces to repeal the Emergency Detention Act, a law that could have rounded up Black activists in concentration camps.
The Concentration Camp Law: Fighting the Emergency Detention Act

The May 19th Project is co-founded by Renee Tajima Peña and Jeff Chang. Click this link to view a complete list of credits for the project.

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