By Louis Chan
AsAmNews National Correspondent
Japanese American civil rights pioneer Minoru Yasui posthumously received the nation’s highest civilian honor from President Barack Obama Tuesday.
Laurie Yasui, 64, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on behalf of her late father.
Yasui intentionally violated the curfew imposed on Japanese Americans during World War II to stand up courageously against the injustice and to challenge the law to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Minoru Yasui devoted his life to fighting for basic human rights and the fair and equal treatment of every American,” said a statement from the White House prior to the award. “In challenging the military curfew placed on Japanese Americans during World War II, he brought critical attention to the issue and paved the way for all Americans to stand as full and equal citizens. Minoru Yasui’s example endures as a power of one voice echoing for justice.”
Earlier President Obama praised Yasui for carrying on his noble cause.
“It is a call to our national conscience. A reminder of our enduring obligation to be the land of the free and the home of the brave,” said the President during the White House ceremony.
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