Personal Justice Denied: An Issue for All Americans (film)

Video of a February 19, 1998, panel discussion at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History on the topic of the coram nobis cases , featuring presentations by principals Fred Korematsu and Gordon Hirabayashi and lead attorneys Dale Minami , Peggy Nagae , and Rod Kawakami.

After a welcome by Harold Closter of the Smithsonian, Civil Liberties Public Education Fund director Dale Shimasaki introduces moderator Karen Narasaki, who in turn introduces the panelists, each of whom speak for about ten minutes. Korematsu talks about both his wartime experiences and the origins of the coram nobis case, which began when he was contacted by legal scholar Peter Irons . Hirabayashi recounts his decision to disobey the curfew and exclusion order in 1942 and his subsequent trial and sentencing. Minami discusses what he calls a "dream case," its meaning to him personally, and putting together the legal teams. Nagae, the lead attorney for Minoru Yasui , recounts working with Yasui, who had passed away during the appeals of his case. Finally, Kawakami describes his role in the case and the camaraderie that developed between the attorneys. The programs concludes with questions from the audience and closing comments by each speaker.

The program was part of a National Day of Remembrance and funded by the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund. Though the video was professionally recorded and edited, there are no visuals beyond the panel itself. Personal Justice Denied: An Issue for All Americans is included on the same VHS tape as the short documentary Fighting for Justice: The Coram Nobis Cases , produced by Media Bridges, Inc. (now Bridge Media, Inc.).

Might also like: Unfinished Business: The Japanese American Internment Cases ; Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story ; A Personal Matter: Gordon Hirabayashi vs. the United States (1992)