Dr. Karen Korematsu will be the featured speaker at the Robert H. Jackson Center for Constitution Day observances in the Carl Cappa Theatre, 10 a.m. on September 17.

Korematsu is the Founder and President of the Fred T. Korematsu Institute and the daughter of the late civil rights icon, Fred Korematsu.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korematsu v. United States a landmark 1944 Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of executive order 9066, ordering Japanese Americans into internment camps during World War II.

The Court ruled in a 6–3 decision that the exclusion order was permissible executive action.

The dissenting justices, including Jackson, argued that the exclusion order violated personal liberties and equal protection guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment. They stated that there was no evidence of disloyalty among the affected population to justify such restrictions. The majority opinion is widely criticized today for setting a precedent that government practices of racial discrimination are permissible during wartime.

Dr. Korematsu has been interviewed on radio, podcasts, and TV. Her Op/Eds have appeared in the NY Times and Washington Post. She has received numerous awards and honors for her work.

Constitution Day recognizes U.S. Congress’ adoption of the United States Constitution in 1787 and, since 1941, as also Citizenship Day to honor all who are U.S. citizens regardless of their path to attainment.

All institutions receiving federal funding, including funding through the U.S. Department of Education, are required to hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution in September. The Robert H. Jackson Center is proud to contribute to the education goals of area schools with this annual event, but the public is invited to attend, as well.