YOSEMITE — The Fifth Annual Law Day Yosemite will be held this year on Friday, Apr. 28, beginning at 10 a.m. in Yosemite Valley, on the playing field of Yosemite Elementary School.
This year’s theme is “Not to Be Forgotten: Legal Lessons of the Japanese Internment.”
Seventy-five years ago the United States entered into World War II following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Presidential directives issued in February 1942 led to a curfew for people, including citizens, of Japanese descent followed by the forcible relocation of more than 100,000 Japanese from the West Coast to Internment camps in remote areas.
This year’s Yosemite Law Day observance will again include an essay contest open to 8th grade students in schools including Coarsegold, El Portal, Greeley Hill, Lake Don Pedro, Mariposa, Oak Creek, Rivergold, Tenaya, Wasuma, Woodland, Roosevelt (Modesto) and Mountain Home Charter.
The top three essay writers will be announced, introduced, applauded and rewarded during the Law Day Yosemite 2017 Celebration. The essay prompt: “What did the U.S. internment of Japanese during World War II and the identified court cases teach us about the Constitutionality of imposing special restrictions on people of certain religions or nationalities?” will be judged for the understanding of the subject, originality of thought, argumentation and organization.
Our speakers will be The Honorable A.Wallace Tashima, Senior Justice of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Reverend Sabado Masada and his wife, Marion Masada, Fresnans who travel across the country to address the internment with students, from the perspective of their personal experience.
Included in the program will be the National Park Service Mounted Ranger Horse Patrol presentation of colors; Emma Boone’s solo National Anthem; the Mariposa High School Marching Band; three hundred plus Middle School students; Federal and State Judges and other community dignitaries; the famous Law Day lapel pins, snacks and lunches for all students. Also included will be the best waterfall showing in years and the ever-glorious Yosemite Valley.
Law Day Yosemite is sponsored by the San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, in conjunction with the Park Concessionaire, Yosemite Hospitality LLC, and the National Park Service. The public is invited.
Photo courtesy NPS
