MASS EVACUATION PHOTOS

All photos available at the National Archives.

MORE RESOURCES

NEWS ARTICLE: "California expands Japanese internment education to current rights threats." September 30, 2017

https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/California-expands-Japanese-internment-education-12242225.php

 ARTICLE: "Teaching Japanese-American Internment Using Primary Resources" December 7, 2017. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/07/learning/lesson-plans/teaching-japanese-american-internment-using-primary-resources.html

"A More Perfect Union: Japanese American and the U.S. Constitution”.  

Smithsonian National Museum of American History site. 

http://amhistory.si.edu/perfectunion/non-flash/index.html

  "Daily Life in the Internment Camps" Smithsonian National Museum of American History site. http://amhistory.si.edu/ourstory/activities/internment/more.html

"Clara Breed." Japanese American National Museum site: http://www.janm.org/exhibits/breed/breed_t.htm

SANTA CLARA-SANTA CRUZ-SAN MATEO CO. INCIDENTS

2/23/45 San Jose,  Santa Clara Co. --Yoshinaga Taketa, 5th and Jackson, former Little Tokyo area, heard noises at front of store, discovered at daylight that window glass of store had been broken. On previous night had had gone to a Filipino grocery store across the street and was told, "We don't want any of your business." Police investigating.

  

3/6/45 San Jose (rural 3 miles east), Santa Clara Co. — Joe Takeda home subjected to 12:50 a.m. night shooting and attempted burning by men in unidentified sedan cut telephone wires and set fire to house and sheds with gasoline poured under home. No one injured and family of 10 evacuees put out fire with aid of rain. One fired from car slowly cruising highway 75 feet away, 2 shots fired as it passed on 4th trip past. One revolver slug went over heads of 2 children on porch, lodged in bedroom wall. First incident case in Santa Clara Valley, Sheriff Emigfs office notified, 3 deputies arrived within 15 minutes.

3/21/45 San Jose, Calif. Santa Clara Co. --Shigitaki Onishi, 175 Taylor St., was approached by a Filipino sailor as Onishi was planting a tree in his front yard. An Italian woman friend, Mrs. Cerucci, phoned sheriff's office. Deputies arrived, questioned sailor known only as "Montana" who claimed he had made no threats. Onishi said he had been told to "get out." Navy Shore Patrol responded reluctantly, could not find sailor.

3/23/45 San Jose, Calif. Santa Clara Co.--Early in morning Onishi heard clatter against his house, Investigated, found three empty beer bottles had been thrown at his home.

3/28/45 Watsonville, Calif. Santa Cruz Co.-- Tsuneo Sumida of Poston, Arizona was refused admittance to a Greyhound bus running between Chittenden Junction and Hollister, California by the driver. It was necessary for Sumida to hike part of the way before getting a ride into Hollister.

5/5/45 San Jose, Santa Clara County. Japanese Methodist Church, 566 North Six St., entered at 9 a.m. by four boys, two Negro brothers, aged 13 and 14, and two Mexican brothers, aged 10 and 9. Mr. Buemo Kitazawa, making routine inspection boys, and police caught them redhanded in act of looting parsonage in rear of church. Relocation officers went to church immediately, found boxes, trunks, etc., opened and contents strewn about. Boys claim they removed nothing from building, but evidence seems otherwise. Nothing indicates that nationality of owner had anything to do with the burglary. Rev. Osuga, Minister of the church, plans to relocate there with family in near future.

6/8/45 Redwood City, San Mateo Co., Calif. — Hirosuki Inouye received intimidating letter from manager of Gilroy Hot Springs, Gilroy, Calif, when he wrote requesting reservations at the Springs for his invalid father. Letter received stated: "We are still in business, but - No Japs are Allowed at our Springs - The farther you stay away from here, the better. Once a Jap, Always a Jap, Even amongst his own Rats - So Go Back to Destroyed Tokio." Mr. Inouye reported incident to our San Jose WRA office.

6/17/45 San Jose, Santa Clara, Calif. — Five Mexican "zoot-suiters" drove up in a car and parked outside bar across "the street from residence of Harry Taketa & wife. One of the Mexicans noticed the Taketas sitting on their veranda and ventured across the street, uttered abusive language and cursed the "Japs" and remarked: "Might as well start in on them." As the Taketas get up to go inside the others rushed at them. However, Taketas managed to get inside and close door. Taketa immediately picked up phone and called Mr. Edmiston of WRA. The Mexicans became frightened and drove away. License number is 1-R-1449. Edmiston phoned police, but they did not appear. He is making further investigation. Source: “Special Field Reports of Allan Markley” to Dillon S. Meyer, Director WRA, Attn: M.M. Tozier, Chief of Reports, WRA

FLARE THROWN AT BUDDHIST TEMPLE HERE

     Watsonville had its first case of public hostility against returning Japanese Monday, 2:10 a.m., when unidentified persons threw or shot a flare toward the Buddhist temple, corner of Bridge and Union St., which is being used as a hostel by the Japanese. The flare landed in the yard of the building next door, 107 Bridge St., and set fire to shrubbery, police reported.

Immediate statements were made by Chief of Police Matt Grayes and Deputy District Attorney John L. McCarthy stating that such cases of violence or mob riots "would not be tolerated and would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

     Both Graves and McCarthy stressed the fact that city taxpayers - the city itself - would be liable for any damage resulting from such violence.

     The hostel is crowded with returned evacuees. Included in the group are three Nisei servicemen, home on furloughs, and many women and children. Two Gold Star mothers had moved out Saturday, Fred Rhodes, WRA official said. A young mother is living at 107 Bridge St., where the flare landed, and was up, heating milk for her child, when the attack occurred, Rhodes said. The lights in the house were on.

     The majority of families at the hostel have sons in the armed services, two families having three sons each who are servicemen.

     According to police, Sgt. Ernie Lowry was leaving the police station early Monday when he and Officers Jim Brandon and Walter James noticed a red glow in the vicinity of Bridge and Union St. Investigating they found a group of Japanese in the yard of the 107 Bridge St. residence (adjoining the temple) putting out a fire in the shrubbery.

     A flare was found, attached to a paper parachute of a type similar to that used in a Verry pistol, police said. It had either been thrown from a car or shot from a pistol, it was believed.

Japanese in the hostel reported they saw a sedan and heard a car speed up toward the east just before the flare landed. Extensive search by officers failed to find any trace of the car or culprits.

     "It is up to us to keep law and order in this community," said Chief Graves. "These people have been returned under government order. They are housed in the hostel and we will not stand for any violence of this sort."

     He pointed out that if the flare had dropped on the building, it would have caused a serious fire and that the city would have been responsible for damage.

     McCarthy said such instances would be prosecuted to the fullest extent under whatever laws applied. In Monday morning's incident, charges of attempted arson, malicious mischief or disturbing the peace could be filed, he said. Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, September 24, 1945. p.1

SACRAMENTO-PLACER CO. INCIDENTS

1/16/45 Mayhew near Sacramento, Sacramento Co., Calif. Fire of sus-picious origin destroyed Mayhew Sunday School building in which was stored property belonging to groups of persons of Japanese ancestry. County officials consider case closed. WRA investigators still working on it.

1/18/45 Auburn, Placer County, Calif.s Two civilian brothers and two brothers AWOL from Army held in case before Superior Court for attempted burning and dynamiting and scare shooting at Sumio Doi ranch home. Doi family has son in army unit which rescued Lost Battalion. No one injured.

1/19/45 Mayhew near Sacramento, Sacramento Co., Calif. Nisei Saiki home burned to ground at noon. Property tenanted by Caucasians, and fire attributed to faulty flue. Case closed.

1/22/45 Florin near Sacramento, Sacramento Co., Calif. Night fire destroyed Fumi Mukai Fujimori ranch house and barn. Arson suspected though evidence is lacking. Incident caused short-term leave evacuee to become undecided about returning. 'No one was injured. Local officials apathetic about fire. WRA continues to work on case. S.F. Area Office checking. 

7/13/45 Walnut Grove, Sacramento County, Calif, (30 miles from state capital) On the evening of July 13, Mrs.Wilma Insigne, alias Kitty Ferguson, 36, wife of a Filipino and occupant of a house in Walnut Grove owned by an evacuee, Sugi Koga of the Granada Relocation Center, visited the home of a recent returnee of Japanese ancestry at Walnut Grove, Harry Matsuoka. Present at his home were his son, Pvt. Toshio Matsuoka, on furlough after 10 months in a German prisoner of war camp, other members of the family, and the family of K. Sasaki, a neighbor, and also a recent returnee from the Granada Relocation Center. One son in the latter family, Sgt. George Sasaki, is serving overseas with the U.S. Army. 

     Mrs. Insigne used vile and abusive language in threatening the two families. She told Private Matsuoka, who wears the Combat Infantryman's Badge and two Bronze Stars, "You are not an American soldier. You are a Jap soldier." .She told the families that she would go get a group of Filipinos and they would return and either burn down the house or drive out the returnees.

     Telephoned by Mr. Matsuoka, Harry Knowles, assistant to the sheriff of Sacramento County had the Walnut Grove constable arrest Mrs. Insigne. When she was arrested she was in a Filipino poolroom, drunk and trying to get up a crowd of Filipinos aroused against the Matsuokas.

     The following morning, Milo Dye, Justice of the Peace at Walnut Grove, prepared a complaint which was signed by Private Matsuoka. Judge Dye set bail at $500 cash or $1,000 bond and set the hearing for the afternoon of Monday, July 16. Mrs. Insigne re-mained in jail because bail was not met.

     At the hearing in Dye's office she pleaded guilty to having willfully and unlawfully disturbed the peace and to having used vile and abusive language before women and children.

     Before passing sentence Dye spoke of the necessity for protecting the rights of the evacuees, basing his remarks on the fact that both the courts and the Army have approved their return. He told Mrs. Insigne that because she had attempted to incite riot which might have resulted in bloodshed, or death, and because of her 14-year record of many convictions, her sentence would be 90 days in jail, the last 60 to be suspended upon her agreement to leave the county for a period of one year. She is in the county jail.

     Received by telephone from Walter Mores of the Sacramento office of WRA at ll:30 a.m, July 18 by Arnold M. Serwer.

Source: “Special Field Reports of Allan Markley” to Dillon S. Meyer, Director WRA, Attn: M.M. Tozier, Chief of Reports, WRA

KINGS-KERN CO. INCIDENTS

2/23/45 Delano, Kern Co., Calif. Japanese Hall or church was destroyed by 10:30 p.m. fire believed to be of incendiary origin. Place evacuation had had become hangout of bums, it is reported. Estimated loss $4000. Pastor Yoniyana notified.

2/26/1945 Rosamond (rural 2 miles west), Kern County: Henry Kobayashi home fired on

at night. No one injured. Henry and wife fled to Los Angeles, living there at Friends Hotel, 506 N. Evergreen. Mr, Williams has leased Kobayashi farm for $2000 per year with provision for his purchase of farm implements. Williams defaulted first two years' rent and paid only $1100 of reduced $1400 third year's rent; was refused bill of sale for  farm implements by Kobayashi son-in-law, Mr. Giraud, and so moved to another farm five miles west taking farm implements with him. Mrs. Giraud once refused room reserved for visits to their Kern County farm home by any member of Kobayashi family, was ordered to get off the place since "no Japs are allowed here, besides the American Government is going to give this farm to us." Kern County Sheriff John E. Loustalot willing to protect life and limb but feels farm implements removal calls for Kobayashi's civil action, WRA investigator reports.

6/5/45 Hanford, Kings Co., Calif. — Fire, believed set by children, destroyed garage and shack on property owned by Mrs. George Kane Omata, now residing in Minneapolis. Property is for sale, as Mrs. Omata does not intend returning here. Omata residence, which is used principally for shoring odds and ends of furniture and located in front of garage has been broken into and looted several times. Mr. Edmiston was notified of fire by Chief of Police. As the property is in hands of custodian, WRA feels there is nothing further to be done; as owner if only concerned with selling property.

Source: “Special Field Reports of Allan Markley” to Dillon S. Meyer, Director WRA, Attn: M.M. Tozier, Chief of Reports, WRA

MERCED-SAN JOAQUIN CO. INCIDENTS

1/23/45 Cressey, Merced County, Calif.: T. Andow home shot at and rifle bullet found in kitchen wall. No one injured. Those shooting sped away in a car at night. Law enforcement officials investigating, San Francisco WRA office checking.

1/3/45 Cressey, Merced County, Calif.: Similar attack repeated against T. Andow family

1/23/45, 1/31/45 Cressey, Merced Co., Calif. T. Andow home shot at and rifle bullet found in the kitchen wall. No one injured. Those shooting sped away in a car at night. Law enforcement officials investigating, S.F. WRA office checking,

2/5/45 Cressey, Merced County, Calif.: Four shots fired into tank house occupied by Bob Morimoto, his wife, Grace, and brother Tetsu. Sheriff's office investigating but to date no suspects located.

3/11/45 French Camp, Stockton, San Joaquin County: Hanamo Fujichige and his sister Mrs. H.K. Minami, threatened with bodily harm by Filipino of nearby farm, reported to Stockton Sheriff by Mrs. Roscoe Rose, friend of evacuees. Sheriff sent two deputies to investigate who warned Filipino. WRA Relocation officer John R. Robertson verbally notified at office 10:00 next day. Mrs. Minami's address — 1150 West Ferry, Detroit 2, Michigan. Threat occurred at residence at French Camp.

4/1/45 Woodbridge, San Joaquin Co., Calif. - Premises of Fred Sakoda consisting of house, shed, garage, cabin, packing house and Ford Sedan (leased by Mrs. Minnie Swafford) was completely destroyed by fire estimating to $10,000.00. John R. Robertson, Relocation Officer, was verbally notified and is checking with Woodbridge Fire Department and Lodi Police Dept. to determine the fire's origin. 5/15/45 - Investigation by WRA official indicates fire was of accidental origin.

4/1/45 Cressey, Merced County, Calif.: T. Andow home subjected to attack by shooting again, the last incident having taken place on January 31. Family reported on Sunday morning of April 1 bullet holes in porch uprights. Shots apparently fired from road about 100 yards away during the night.

4/4/45 Cortez, Merced County, Calif.: George Morisuji and N. Kajioka, living in a shack behind a Japanese church on the edge of Cortez reported to sheriff's office that at approx-imately 9:30 PM, April 3, a bullet discharged from a 3d-55 rifle penetrated the shack. Morisuji reported the bullet just 'Missed by a foot." Sheriff's office now investigating the case.

4/22/45 Cressey, Merced County, Calif.: Second attack against Bob Mori-moto. The shots this time made two holes in walls three feet above second floor. Present at time of shooting were Bob and Grace Morimoto, Frank and Tets Morimoto. Incident was reported to Mr. Hull of WRA, who notified the sheriff's office and met deputies there. Authorities, after investigation, expressed opinion that probably the gun was the same one used in another attack the same evening, against the Kishi family in Livingston.

4/22/45 Livingston, Merced County, Calif.: Four shots fired into home of Chiyeko Kishi, Route 1, Box 31B, Livingston. Property damage consisted of broken chandelier; four holes in plaster; two holes in davenport; three holes in cabinet. Shots believed to have been fired from moving car on highway 100 feet from house, by high powered rifle. Present at time of shooting were S., Chiyeko, Mayame, Lucy, Tajiro Kishi arid Shige Kawasaki. Sheriff of San Joaquin County investigated.

5/11/45 FRENCH CAMP, Stockton, San Joaquin County, Calif.: Kaname Fujishige and his sister, Mrs. H. K. Minami, threatened with bodily harm by Filipino of nearby farm, reported to Stockton sheriff by Mrs. Roscoe Ross, friend of evacuees. Sheriff sent two deputies to investigate and Filipino was warned. War Relocation Officer John R. Robertson verbally notified at office 10:00 o'clock next day. Mrs. Minami's address: 2223 Fullerton, Detroit; Fujishige's address: 1150 W. Ferry, Detroit 2, Mich. Threat occurred at French Camp residence.

6/8/45 Lodi, San Joaquin Co., Calif, — For the third time in approximately three weeks fire again broke out on the property of the Buddhist Church. Believed set by children carelessly playing with matches inside church. A desk was destroyed and walls and floor scorched. Police investigating. Other fires took place on May 29th and 30th.

Source: “Special Field Reports of Allan Markley” to Dillon S. Meyer, Director WRA, Attn: M.M. Tozier, Chief of Reports, WRA

FRESNO-MADERA CO. INCIDENTS

1/8/45, 1/19/45 Selma, Fresno Co., Calif. George Takauchi home stoned by high school boys. Local police described it as malicious mischief. No one injured. 

2/2/45 Reedley, Fresno County, Calif.: George Kimura's farm home, ten-anted by Mr. Mitchell, was subjected to the intimidation of night riders in auto shooting at the building. No one was injured. George Kimura, whose father was also living on the premises, had returned to say goodbye to his father before being sent overseas. Night riders reappeared at Kimura home the next night, though no firearms were discharged on the second visit. Case still under investigation. 

2/10/45 Fowler district near Fresno, Fresno County, Calif.: Frank Osaki home fired at by unknown night assailant. Shots hit the house, but no one was injured. Osaki says he is not frightened. Few clues. Case checkup still continuing.

2/15/45 Parlier, Fresno County, Calif.: S. J. Kakutani home subjected to six shotgun blasts from farm vineyard about 60 yards away, by evidence of footprints. Only one blast struck the house. Kakutani and wife at home but unharmed. District Attorney believes it the act of hoodlums.

2/16/45 Selma, Fresno County, Calif. Robert Morishige's home destroyed by fire believed to be of incendiary origin. Home unoccupied at time, but furniture in it belonged to four evacuee families; belongings valued at $2000 to $3000. Safe opened and looted.

3/11/45 Sanger (rural 8 miles south), Fresno County: T. Nakamoto farm safe allegedly robbed by farmer-employee T.E. Pierce who was arrested by Fresno County Sheriff and placed in County jail at request of property and farm custodian Henry A. Harr on March 12th. Charge was "theft and pilfering with trial set before Justice of the Peace Officer of Sanger for March 13. San Francisco WRA Area Office notified by Paul J. Fischer at 2:00 p.m. 

3/24/45 Fresno, Calif. - James Owada, residing at corner of Dinuba and Brawley Avenues, reported being intimidated by a sailor and two civilians. This is a second occurrence to Owada and believed to be by the same people. Sheriff's office and Shore Patrol were notified and are following up same.

3/26/45 Madera, Madera County, Calif.: The home of Minoru Ohashi, P0 Box 187, located 8 miles south of Madera, half mile east of intersection of Ripperdan and Madera Avenues, was shot at but bullets did not strike any member of the family. However, they entered room where family was sleeping, just missing them by a few feet. The five shots were fired by unknown persons. Investigation under way by sheriff's office.

3/27/45 Fresno, Calif. - 23 tombstones (20 being markers of persons of Japanese ancestry and 3 persons of German ancestry) were overturned in Mountain View Cemetery in the northwest section of that city. Damage is believed to have been done by a group of boys. Investigation being carried on by sheriff's office.

4/3/45 Madera, Madera Co., Calif. - at 3:00 p.m. fire destroyed tool shed belonging to property of Fred T. Kumagai located one mile south of intersection of Ripperdan and Madera Avenues. Fire is believed to have been caused by defective wiring. Full investigation is being made by State Forestry Fire Dept; Sheriff W.O. Justice and Dist. Atty. Everett S. Coffee.

4/4/45 Fresno, Fresno Co., Calif. - Several boys (believed to be Filipinos) threw rocks through a window in the home of S. C. Sakamoto, 608 E Street, Fresno, at 12:25 a.m. on April 4. Police were summoned and noted complaint.

5/5/45 Fresno, 1528 Kern Street, at midnight windows of book store temporary resident of Kanichi Komoto. Wife, two sons in bed. Rock and half a brick thrown. Patrolman unable to find witnesses.

5/8/45 Fresno. Fresno County, Calif. Setsugo Sakamoto, 61, 608 F. Street. First shooting attempt to occur in a city, took place at 10:50 p.m. At home at the time were Sakamoto's daughter and her husband, James Collier, honorably discharged from the Navy. Three shots from a .58 revolver struck the house, one entering the bedroom wall one foot from the head of Mrs. Collier. Sakamoto has a son-in-law, Hoagy Ogawa, at Snelling, and an adopted son, Eddie Aburaman, now fighting in the Philippines and with the army in the Pacific for 26 months.

5/9/45 Fresno, 708 E Street, brick thrown at former Japanese hospital, broke screen and window pane. Hospital now being used as residence by Mrs. Pearl Diel, custodian of Okanogi Hospital, her two children and Dr. Robert Tabuno. Brick found and fingerprinted.

5/20/45 Selma, Fresno County, Calif.: Four slugs from a high powered rifle entered the home of Masaru Miyamoto at 12:10 a.m., Sunday, May 20. One slug went through a blanket on the bed on which Miyamoto was sleeping. A second went into the bedroom wall, having passed within six inches of the crib of his three-year-old son, Edward. Wife and daughter, Susie, five, also were in the house. Miyamoto's brother, Noboru, member of the 442nd Infantry, has several decorations including the Purple Heart. The family returned to a 75-acre vineyard in February from the Gila River Relocation Center, Rivers, Ariz.

5/20/45 Caruthers, Fresno County, Calif. — At 1:00 a.m. Sunday May 20, six shots from high powered rifle were fired into house of Mrs. Nobuye Masada, Route 1, Box 46, Caruthers. Mrs. Masada, widow, was born in Japan in 1889. Family consists of Alice Aiko, 17, Yuriko Lilly, 22; Katsumi, 30; Saburo,15; Tokio, 17; Toshihiro, 24. he returned to the family's 20-acre home April 20, 1345 from the Rohwer Relocation Center in Arkansas.

Sheriff's office investigating incident.

5/23/45 Reedley, Fresno County, Calif. — At approximately 10:00 p.m. on May 22, four shots were fired into home of Charles K. Iwasaki, 36, Route 1, Box 384, Reedley, Calif. No one injured nor any property damaged. Reported to Sheriff's office, whose men appeared in five minutes but were unable to apprehend the gunmen. Investigators believed shots to be fired by boys or high school youths because of small size of footprints found in vicinity. Believed a shotgun was employed. Iwasaki's family consists of wife, Isami Ann, 32; Norman 11; Amy, 8; and Lawrence, 5. The family are Nisei. His father an Issei, Charles Isasaki, also resides with them.

5/24/45 Fresno, Fresno County, Calif.: James Owada, reported being intimidated again, believed by the same people. Sheriff's office and Shore Patrol were notified and are following the case.Source: “Special Field Reports of Allan Markley” to Dillon S. Meyer, Director WRA, Attn: M.M. Tozier, Chief of Reports, WRA

ACLU Group Asks for Felony Charge in Parlier Terrorism Law Enforcement Not Adequate in Fresno, Says Besig's Letter

SAN FRANCISCO —Attorney General Robert W. Kenny was urged today to file felony charges against Levi Multanen of Parlier, who admitted he had sent four blasts from a double-barreled shotgun into the walls of the home of Charles Iwasaki on the night of May 22 while the latter, his wife, three children and a grandfather were inside the house. Multanen, on May 28, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of exhibiting a deadly weapon "in a rude, angry or threatening manner," and was given a suspended sentence by Justice of the Peace L. B. Crosby, who admitted the decision was "a community  arrangement."

     In a letter signed by Ernest Besig, local director of the Union, it was charged that "District Attorney James M. Theusen, in filing only a misde-meanor charge under Sec. 417 of the Penal Code, in the face of repeated acts of terrorism against persons of Japanese ancestry in Fresno county that have gone unpunished, is not adequately enforcing the law."

     The Union reminded the attorney general that under Article V, Sec. 21, of the State Constitution, "it becomes your duty 'to prosecute any violations of the law of which the superior court shall have jurisdiction' in any county where 'any law of the State is not being adequately enforced.'"

     The letter suggested that Multanen may still be prosecuted in the Superior Court under Sec. 245 of the Penal Code, which punishes assault with a deadly weapon by imprisonment in the State prison for a term not exceeding ten years. "And," said the Union, "the facts may also warrant a charge under Sec. 217 of the Penal Code punishing assault to commit murder by a term in the State prison of not less than one nor more than fourteen years."

     "If the lawlessness in the "San Joaquin valley, directed at persons of Japanese ancestry," said the letter, "continues to go unchecked by the local law enforcement agents, it may, of course, become necessary to suggest to Governor Warren that he call out the State Guard to protect life and property."

     In urging intervention by the attorney general, the Union pointed out that such persons as the secretary of war, Governor Earl Warren, Secretary Ickes, Commander Edward N. Scheiberling of the American Legion, representatives of church groups and attorney general himself have insisted that returning Japanese be accorded full recognition of their constitutional and statutory rights. "Decisive action in this explosive situation," the letter concluded, “will have the support of all who believe in tolerance instead of the race doctrines of Hitler." Source Pacific Citizen, Saturday June 9, 1945, page 2

Fresno Official Defends Action In Shooting

FRESNO, Cal.—District Attorney James M. Thuesen replied on June 4 to a charge from the Northern California office of the American Civil Liberties Union of "lack of persecution" of anti-Nisei terrorism in Fresno County.

     Thuesen sharply took issue with a letter from Ernest Besig, Northern California director of the ACLU, calling on Attorney General Robert W. Kenny to file felony charges against Levi Multanen, Parlier rancher, who was given a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to firing four shots at the home of Charles Iwasaki in Parlier.

     Thuesen declared that the attorney general has stated publicly that Fresno county "has done more than any other county thus far in taking steps against the terrorists."

     "If Multanen had committed a felony," Thuesen declared, "a felony charge would have been filed. As it is, this office filed the only charge possible—and we made it stick."

     Multanen had pleaded guilty in Justice of the Peace L. B. Crosby's court to a charge of "exhibiting a deadly weapon, in a rude, angry or threatening manner."

     Thuesen questioned Besig's statement that Multanen can be prosecuted in Superior Court for assault with a deadly weapon or assault with intent to commit murder.

     "Multanen obviously didn't intend to hurt anyone, as he shot at the roof," the district attorney explained. "Had this office filed a felony charge, we would have known in advance the obvious result: Multanen would have been acquitted.

     "The best way in the world to break down law enforcement is to file a charge, knowing in advance you can't obtain a conviction."

     “In all these (anti-Nisei) cases such charges will be filed as fit the facts and circumstances."

     Thuesen recalled his office has filed felony charges against the unknown person or persons who fired rifle shots into the homes of Japanese Americans in the Fresno area.

     "Felony charges were filed because whoever fired the shots did so with the obvious intent of hurting someone," Thuesen added.

     He said the "full facilities" of the sheriff's office plus his own staff of investigators are sifting admittedly slender clues in two other attacks, but added: "I am confident that if a solution is possible, it will be made." Source Pacific Citizen, Saturday June 9, 1945, page 2

Secretary Ickes Raps Lenient Verdict in Parlier Gun Case Declares Justice Crosby Disgraced Bench by Action

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Interior Ickes on May 31 said that Justice of the Peace L. B. Crosby of Parlier, Calif., was a "disgrace to the bench" because of his conduct of a case involving a terror attack against a Japanese American family.

     "If California has any law under which it can reach out and demote that justice of the peace they oughtn't to lose any time," Ickes said.

     Crosby gave a six months suspended sentence to Levi Multanen, 33, who was charged with using a gun "in a rude and threatening manner" after four shots were fired into the home of Charles Iwasaki in Parlier.

     "I'll say it was damned rude," Ickes said.

"Certain parts of California instead of having law and order as their ideal have law and disorder," Ickes added. "It's terrible."  Source Pacific Citizen, Saturday June 9, 1945, page 2

Judge Crosby Stands Pat on Lenient Verdict

PARLIER, Calif.---Justice of the Peace L. Justice of L.B. Crosby declared here that he would take "full responsibility" for the suspended sentence given to a man who confessed to an act of terrorism against a Japanese American family.

     Judge Crosby explained his lenient verdict by declaring that “it was an arrangement" to prevent further violence.

     "There was a crowd of Parlier farmers and townspeople in the courtroom before the trial started, and we talked the situation over, all of us," Judge Crosby said. "We agreed we didn’t want any more shootings in our community and we agreed we would each of us act individually to see there would be no more.

     "It was the arrangement that there would be no severe punishment and that the shootings would stop. I think that was the important thing.”

     Crosby said that 98 per cent of his community felt the War Relocation authority was wrong in “sending the Japanese back” and that a jail sentence for Multanen would fan fan the anger to the point where other violence would be likely.

    "I am sure I can guarantee there will be no more cases of this kind in the Parlier community, if they will simply leave us to handle the matter, “ Judge Crosby added.

Source Pacific Citizen, Saturday June 9, 1945, page 2

 From the Frying Pan by Bill Hosakawa

Logic Lost on Night-Rider Mentalities

     The lonely California side road was deserted the night Levi Multanen, a Parlier rancher, took the law in his own hands. Multanen fired four shots into the home of Charles Iwasaki, an American of Japanese extraction, and then fled into the darkness like a common, cringing criminal.

     Apparently, Levi Multanen was not so clever as some California night riders, or else the sheriff was more alert than most of his colleagues, for Multanen was apprehended and brought to trial.

     Multanen admitted the shooting, but pleaded a revenge motive. He sought to justify the attempted slaying on his assumption that his nephew had been killed in the South Pacific. And then he revealed that he had received a letter from the nephew the day after that nephew had been "avenged" in a California farmhouse.

     What sort of backswood logic and imbecility is this that a man should attempt to kill innocent countrymen under the delusion that his kin was a casualty of war? That sort of thing, when committed in passion, is known as running amok.

     But the insanity of the situation becomes more patent. The justice of the peace who heard the case sentenced the admitted gunman to a six-month term, and then suspended that sentence. In other words, the law in a stinking hometown decision recognized an attempt at murder only as serious as a misdemeanor— petty pickpockets, vagrants and drunks have been given stiffer terms. And in suspending sentence, the court gave recognition to the doctrine that "Japs" are fair game for any boozed-up American fascist with a rifle and a fast car…..

     Meanwhile, at the Minidoka war relocation center, Hunt, Idaho, the deaths of two more service men were made known last week.

     One was Pvt. Ben L. Stafford, a marine, killed in the bloody battle for Okinawa, 325 miles from the Japanese homeland. Private Stafford's father has a war job, too, that of looking after the welfare of several thousands' of the "Japs" on whom Levi Multanen sought to wreak his vengeance.

     But Harry L. Stafford, Minidoka project director, knew that these "Japs" from his center had sent hundreds of their sons, husbands and fathers to fight for America. He knew that more than 30 of these men had made the supreme sacrifice, that almost a hundred had suffered wounds in the war to make democracy safe for people like Levi Multanen.

     And if the elder Stafford needed a reminder of the war role of these "Japs," he had but to remember that Minidoka's other death of the week was- that of T/3 Eddie Fukui, lost in the Kerama islands lying off Okinawa.

     Eddie Fukui's parents were evacuated from Tacoma, Wash., in the spring of 1942. Their wartime sacrifice, the government decreed, was that of leaving their homes for a barracks city behind barbed wire enclosures so that the war could get on. And the government chose Harry Stafford to administer the camp which ultimately became home to the Fukui family.

     But there is no great nor small, no distinction of rank nor power nor prestige, Caucasian norJap, in the parental grieving of Shuichi Fukui, evacuee, and Harry Stafford, project director. A great void may have separated the two men in their daily lives. But in the numbness that the deaths of sons has brought to the two men's hearts, there is true equality and the kinship of having given loved ones to the cause of peace.

     Shuichi Fukui, the dead soldier's father, no longer is a resident of the Minidoka camp. He has resettled in Burley, Idaho, and but for the whims of fortune it might have been his home that Levi Multanen—or any of the handful of Levi Multanens that speed along California highways by night — fired into with hatred in his heart.

     Logic, reason and plain common sense talk apparently do not make much of an impression on nightrider mentalities. But it might be worthwhile for the war department to undertake a little experiment in trying to differentiate for these unthinking ones the hated enemy Jap from persons of Japanese descent who are Americans in everything except their physical characteristics.

     The war department might bring back a few of its veterans —perhaps buddies who have seen men like Pvt. Stafford and T/3 Fukui die—to explain just what it is they are fighting for.

     We feel the kin of those who have fallen would feel their loss to be not in vain if all Americans could be made to realize the principles for which their men died. Source Pacific Citizen, Saturday June 9, 1945, page 5