June Kizu, representing the Southern California chapter of the National Coalition for Redress and Reparations (NCRR), delivered one of the most forceful organizational testimonies before the Commission. Speaking as part of a grassroots coalition formed in 1980, she called for justice rooted in history, law, and community experience.

• Origins of NCRR: Began in Los Angeles when community groups joined forces; has since expanded nationwide with members from New England to Hawai‘i.

• Historical Record: Cited testimony of constitutional violations, government abuse of power, racism, economic greed, and media manipulation. Asked directly: how will the government measure the scope of evacuation and legislate to remedy it?

• Demands Beyond Property: Losses were not just financial but psychological, cultural, and social — “three years of people’s lives” stolen.

• Concrete Proposals:

  
  

  • Ongoing public education so future generations understand and prevent similar injustice.

  • Overturning the legal basis for EO 9066 to ensure no branch of government can strip away rights again.

  • Including other communities harmed by wartime policies (Aleutians, Latin Americans of Japanese descent, and others).

  • Creation of a community fund for social damage.

  • Direct individual monetary compensation to each incarceree or heir, with $25,000 as a minimum starting point.

  
  

• Survey Evidence: Referenced a 1981 survey of 3,700 Japanese Americans — 95% supported redress, nearly 90% supported direct payment.

• Rejecting Excuses: Countered arguments against reparations, including claims that Japanese Americans had “made it anyway” or that heirs did not deserve compensation. Stressed that most heirs were Nisei still living with trauma and losses.

• Principle of Justice: Declared monetary reparations the most principled and expeditious path, reaffirming citizenship and the rule of law.

• Commission’s Duty: Criticized logistical failures in the hearings and demanded commissioners return to communities in person to explain their recommendations.

• Final Plea: Urged commissioners to act with moral courage and not compromise justice: “Any compromise recommendation will be a compromise of justice.”