Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today cosponsored the Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act, a bill to prevent unlawful detentions based on protected characteristics like race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. Sponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), the bill aims to prevent unjust internments like those of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II.
“The Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act is a statement of our values as Americans. This bill states that discrimination and the unlawful detention of individuals for their race, religion or other protected status is wrong, and it stands as an important reminder of the injustice suffered by thousands of Japanese Americans. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues as we work together to protect the civil rights of all Americans, especially at a time when our President continues to spread lies about immigrants as well as use fear and racism to divide Americans.”
BACKGROUND:
In addition to Senator Cortez Masto, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) also cosponsored this legislation.
The bill has also been endorsed by the Korematsu Institute, Anti-Defamation League, Japanese American Citizens League and Human Rights Campaign.
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