Passion For Justice

Learning about key Asian American and Pacific Islander figures in history is important to understanding WHO we are, and WHY we are WHERE we are today. Learning about their achievements provides us a tremendous source of strength to persist in the struggle against social injustices.


Tonight at 5PM in HL 205 is a great opportunity to learn about one notable Asian American woman - Yuri Kochiyama.

Passion For Justice documents her life and work as a fierce Japanese American human rights activist. Although Kochiyama was politicized when she was in her 40s, she did not let her age and gender stop her from joining the Black Liberation, Puerto Rican Independence, and Asian American Movements. Inspired by Malcolm X, she has campaigned for the freedom of Mumia Abu Jamal, a political prisoner on death row and countless other political prisoners. Kochiyama is also a survivor of the Japanese internment camps. When Malcolm X was assassinated, Yuri Kochiyama was one of the people who ran to him and tried to resuscitate him.