Japanese-Americans to React to Va. Mayor’s Invocation of World War II Internment in Syrian Refugee Controversy

November 18, 2015
On Thursday, November 19, the Florin Japanese American Citizen's League and the Sacramento Valley office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV), along with several other interfaith and civil rights organizations in Sacramento, will hold a press conference in response to recent anti-refugee statements, including a Virginia mayor's favorable reference to the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.
 
WHAT: Press Conference to Respond to Anti-Refugee Sentiments, Va. Mayor's Internment Remark
WHEN: Thursday, November 19, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Buddhist Church of Florin, 7235 Pritchard Road, Sacramento (Off of Florin Road between Power Inn Road and the railroad tracks.)
CONTACT: Andy Noguchi, Florin JACL Co-President (916) 591-4236; CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra, 916 289-3748, belkarra@cair.com
 
Roanoke, Va., Mayor David Bowers Wednesday called for the suspension of all assistance in relocating Syrian refugees to the Roanoke Valley. Bowers' invocation of the World War II internment of Japanese-Americans triggered rebukes from across the political spectrum. 
 
In his controversial statement, Bowers said, "I am convinced that it is presently imprudent to assist in the relocation of Syrian refugees to our part of Virginia." He called for all involved to "suspend and delay" any assistance to refugees and said, "I'm reminded that President Franklin D. Roosevelt felt compelled to sequester Japanese foreign nationals after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and it appears that the threat of harm to America from ISIS now is just as real and serious as that from our enemies then."
 
SEE:

Roanoke Mayor David Bowers broadly condemned for statements on Syrian refugees 
 

 
The press conference will address Bowers' statement and the growing trend of state governors and members of Congress expressing opposition to the entry of Syrian refugees.