PARTNER

INTERVIEW ID

ddr-densho-1012-2

NARRATOR

Gordon Hirabayashi

INTERVIEW TITLE

Gordon Hirabayashi Interview

01:15:22 — 16 segments

DESCRIPTION

Nisei male. Born April 23, 1918, in Seattle, Washington. Spent most of his childhood in Thomas, Washington, where his parents were part of a Christian farming co-op. Attended the University of Washington where he was active in the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), the conscientious objector movement, and became a Quaker. At the outbreak of World War II, he was one of only a handful of individuals to challenge the curfew and removal orders being enforced against Japanese on the West Coast, citing "Christian principles," and asserting "a duty to maintain the democratic standards for which this nation lives." He turned himself in to the FBI, was found guilty, and served time for violating the curfew order, and failing to report for "evacuation." While serving time for this conviction, Gordon was served with a draft notice and again, refused to comply. He subsequently served another period of time as a draft resister. In 1983, a team of attorneys filed a petition for writ of error coram nobis in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle. Gordon's convictions surrounding the incarceration were vacated by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on September 24, 1987, which argued in part that, "racial bias was the cornerstone of the internment orders."

(This interview is audio-only. It contains raw footage used by Steven Okazaki in his 1985 film Unfinished Business.

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.)

PRODUCTION

PERSONS/ORGANIZATIONS

CONTRIBUTOR

Steven Okazaki

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Steven Okazaki

RIGHTS