<Begin Segment 46>

AI: Well, this was, this has been a long journey and a long effort. And in the last few years, some things have again changed for the United States, and internationally because of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. And I'm wondering, when you heard that news, how did that affect you? What went through your head?

AS: Well, you know, in, I think in February of 2002 we were supposed to have a Senate hearing because Senator Inouye is backing Congressman Bacerra's case. In fact, he sent a same bill to the, to the, from the Senate side. So, so, so we were supposed to have a hearing, but then 9/11 happened and everything's postponed. That's when that happened, I said, "Uh-oh. Here we go again." So that's exactly what happened, everything, everything's been delayed, postponed, whatever.

AI: So, and then, of course, after that, not only was your bill postponed and the work on that case was postponed, but in the meantime, the whole atmosphere in the United States shifted.

AS: Changed, yeah. I think that's the reason we got dismissed.

AI: And then also, there has been, some people have really commented on the backlash, especially against Arab Americans or Muslim Americans. But in some ways, some people have commented about more a negative attitude toward immigrants in general to the United States. Is that something that you've noticed or that you've thought about since then?

AS: Yeah, like, like putting, the FBI going to the, to the Muslim community and going through their house and checking them. And so I was thinking, "Oh, here we go again," that the government never learns. Same thing's gonna happen. You know, it is happening.

AI: Were you surprised?

AS: At first, yes. But now that it's been a while, I'm not surprised now that the government can do anything during wartime. [Pauses] Although, this is not actually a war, though.

AI: Yes, it's a different situation than in World War II when there was an actual declaration of war and a different kind of situation.

AS: Because still, it's still happening.

<End Segment 46> - Copyright © 2003 Densho. All Rights Reserved.