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King County proclaims Feb. 19 as Day of Remembrance for Japanese American incarceration
Summary
The King County Council on Feb. 18 proclaimed Feb. 19 as a day to remember the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, citing Executive Order 9066 and the 1983 federal commission finding that the removals were driven by racial prejudice.
The King County Council on Tuesday proclaimed Feb. 19 as a Day of Remembrance of Japanese American incarceration, highlighting the county’s effort to remember the forced removal and incarceration of people of Japanese ancestry during World War II.
Councilmember Joe Dombowski introduced the proclamation during the council’s Feb. 18 meeting and said the commemoration is intended to prevent repetition of past injustices. “Never again,” Dombowski said, urging the public and elected officials to stand with immigrant and marginalized communities.
The proclamation traces the episode to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 of Feb. 19, 1942, and cites a 1983 federal commission that found “no military or security reason for the internment” and identified racial prejudice, wartime hysteria and a failure of political leadership as causes. The council noted that 8,870 King County residents of Japanese ancestry were among the more than 120,000 people incarcerated, and that two-thirds of those County residents were citizens.
Speakers from local Japanese American organizations addressed the council after the proclamation reading. Irene Yamamoto of Densho said the nonprofit has documented first‑hand accounts and historical images to preserve the history so future generations can learn from it. “Densho’s mission is very much in alignment with this proclamation,” Yamamoto said.
Stan Shikuma, vice president of the Seattle chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and a leader with Tsuru for Solidarity, said remembering the incarceration is tied to present‑day work defending civil rights. He said the work is “for the sake of the children” and urged the council and residents to remain vigilant when civil liberties come under threat.
The council’s proclamation also references the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, when the federal government formally apologized and authorized redress payments to survivors.
The council invited members of the Japanese American community to join in a photo after the proclamation and encouraged partnership with local organizations such as Densho and JACL for further remembrance activities.
The proclamation was presented and read during the Feb. 18 meeting and recorded in the council’s proceedings.
