<Begin Segment 4>

LB: I've heard you talk about how you met Ernest Besig, how he came to meet you in July. When he first approached you, did you have any reservations about fighting your case or about whether Mr. Besig would be able to help you?

FK: Well, when he approached me and wanted to help me, and that he was an attorney, I said, "My goodness, you're the man because you're the only one that can..." if I, if I needed help, he was the only one that can help. There wasn't anyone else. No one in the Japanese group could help me, JACL couldn't help me. He was the only one that can help me. And he wasn't gonna leave me alone; he was gonna help me one way or another. [Laughs]

LB: Can you tell me about the kinds of things that you and Mr. Besig talked about while your case was going on? What kinds of things did he ask you, or what did he, what did you show him?

FK: Well, he said that there would be all kind of obstacles occur, and not to be afraid of them. And, "Whatever threats that you get," he says, "we'll fight it together, all the way." So, I mean, you get that kind of answer and he knows the laws as anybody else. And if he can say that to me, I know I was safe, so I went with him.

<End Segment 4> - Copyright © 1996 Densho. All Rights Reserved.