William Hohri

William Minoru Hohri was a Japanese American activist and community leader who played a pivotal role in the redress movement. He was born on April 18, 1927, in San Francisco, California, and passed away on November 12, 2010, in Torrance, California.

Hohri was just 16 years old when the United States government forced him and his family to leave their home and relocate to the Heart Mountain concentration camp in Wyoming during World War II. Following his release from the camp, he served in the US Army and earned a degree from San Jose State University.

After graduating, Hohri settled in New York City and worked as a computer programmer. But his experiences during the war never left him, and he became increasingly involved in Japanese American civil rights causes. In 1981, he founded the National Council for Japanese American Redress (NCJAR), a coalition of community activists and leaders committed to seeking reparations for the injustices suffered by Japanese Americans during World War II.

Hohri and NCJAR played a key role in the redress movement that culminated in the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which offered a formal apology and reparations to Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during the war. Hohri was one of the lead plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit, Hohri v. United States, which challenged the constitutionality of the government's actions during the war. The case ultimately reached the Supreme Court, but Hohri and the other plaintiffs were unsuccessful in overturning the government's actions.

Despite this setback, Hohri remained a tireless advocate for Japanese American civil rights, working with other organizations and testifying before Congress on issues such as redress and reparations. He also wrote a memoir, "Repairing America: An Account of the Movement for Japanese American Redress," which chronicles his personal experiences and the work of the NCJAR.

Hohri was known for his passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to justice for Japanese Americans. In addition to his work in the redress movement, he was also involved in community organizations such as the Japanese American Citizens League and the Japanese American Historical Society of Southern California.

In recognition of his contributions, Hohri received numerous awards and honors, including the Japanese American of the Biennium Award from the Japanese American Citizens League in 1990 and an honorary degree from San Jose State University in 2000.

William Hohri's life and work serves as a testament to the resilience, courage, and strength of Japanese Americans who fought for their rights and dignity in the face of great adversity.