When World War II broke out, more than 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry were stripped of their rights. Actor George Takei and his family were among those imprisoned in ten internment camps throughout the U.S.
He spent part of his childhood in two internment camps— first at Camp Rohwer in the swamps of Arkansas, and then at the wind-swept Camp Tule Lake in northern California. The Religious Society of Friends were among the few groups that publicly supported and helped Japanese-Americans.
Although this happened 75 years ago, the forces of war, social injustice, and discrimination still rear their heads today. In the last two years, it has become more evident that we need to strengthen and rebuild our democracy.
“We are at another moment when advocacy and political involvement are essential to the future of our nation,” said Takei in a video for FCNL. “Our democratic system works when we actively participate in the process. All of us.”
We are grateful to George and Brad Takei for the inspiration they have given us as we launch an initiative to rebuild our democracy. Using digital advertising, the project will increase the number of Americans who are acting to rebuild our democracy.
