SENATE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING JANUARY 30, 2026, AS "FRED KOREMATSU DAY OF CIVIL LIBERTIES AND THE CONSTITUTION"

Plain-English Summary

This is a Rhode Island Senate resolution that officially recognizes January 30, 2026, as "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution" in the state of Rhode Island. The resolution is a formal declaration of honor and remembrance, not a law that creates new rules or spending. It was passed by the Rhode Island Senate and recommended for immediate consideration.

The resolution commemorates Fred Korematsu, a Japanese American man who famously refused to comply with the U.S. government's order during World War II to relocate Japanese Americans to internment camps. He was arrested and convicted, but continued fighting his case for decades. In 1983, a federal court overturned his conviction, and he later received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998. His birthday, January 30, falls on the date chosen for this commemoration.

The purpose of this resolution is to honor Korematsu's legacy as a symbol of standing up for civil liberties and constitutional rights, even in the face of government action. It serves as a reminder of a difficult chapter in American history and encourages reflection on the importance of protecting the rights of all people. Resolutions like this are largely symbolic and do not directly change any laws or policies, but they carry the official recognition of the Rhode Island Senate.