Washington, DC, July 15, 2024. -- Like all Americans, JACL members were horrified to hear of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. We mourn the death of Corey Comperatore, who as a fireman, was accustomed to putting his life at risk for others, but should have never had to do so at a political rally to protect his own family. We hope for the quick and full healing of former President Trump and the others who remain in the hospital, and all those in attendance who have been traumatized by this all-too-common incident of gun violence.
JACL learned of the shooting amid our annual convention just a few hours away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as we began to enter our Sayonara Gala to close with what should have been a celebratory evening. David Inoue, JACL Executive Director interrupted the dinner to share the news with attendees and condemn what had happened as un-American and contrary to our values as Americans, particularly as JACL members. JACL values and employs concepts of the open debate of ideas as we joined OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates and APIA Vote for joint programming this week to tackle challenging issues facing AANHPI voters in this year’s elections, and with APIA Vote’s leadership, hosted a Presidential Town Hall allowing both campaigns to speak to our community.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time our convention has been conducted under the cloud of a tragic shooting incident. Five years ago, our final day of convention in Salt Lake City was similarly interrupted by news of the mass shooting that took the lives of 23 people in El Paso, Texas. That hate crime is the largest mass shooting targeting Latino victims specifically. Later that evening, another nine people were killed in another mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio.
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About The Japanese American Citizens League
The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational, and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.