Akemi Johnson

‘Very dangerous’: Japanese Americans warn of Trump’s use of Alien Enemies Act Some fear Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act could lead to abuses similar to those that took place during one of the darkest chapters of U.S. history.

“One of the lessons of World War II was that the first targeting of people as the enemy were immigrants, and they were vulnerable, even if they had lived here for many decades.

"And then we saw how quickly it could be extended to citizens."

- Grace Shimizu

‘Never again’: L.A.’s Japanese-American community speaks out against Trump’s use of wartime law On Tuesday, members of Los Angeles’ Japanese-American community spoke out against President Donald Trump’s use of an obscure wartime law to deport Venezuelan immigrants.

“I am not going to be afraid. I'm going to stand up and be a voice. Fight the last fight, so to speak, because it's important to speak on behalf of not only our own people but all people.”

- Kyoko Oda, 79-year-old survivor of Tule Lake concentration camp

Excited for this book!

A little verklempt at this, by @akemijohnson.bsky.social: "Together in Manzanar is a riveting, intimate account of one family that illuminates broader, little-known aspects of the WWII Japanese American incarceration. Exploring questions of patriotism, activism, and political ideology... 1/2

Check out this gorgeous new site by Haruka Sakaguchi, esp the family portraits: thecampsamericabuilt.com

We are beyond “never again” in terms of educating people about the WWII Japanese American incarceration. Wrestling w/ this history now, for me, is about healing—this project helps do that & more

This Day of Remembrance at Chiyo's Garden in Seattle felt different from all those previous. At the first DOR we created here in 1978, we were 2,000 Nikkei strong in remembering the camps and standing for redress with our families. 1/

Thanks, Jon!

Today is #DayofRemembrance, when we commemorate the US government's mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII.

My grandfather George was one of the 125,000+ imprisoned. I've spent the past few years uncovering his story, and it's never felt closer or more urgent than now.

Thanks so much, Tracy!

On this #DayofRemembrance, it's an honor to share that my current project has been shortlisted for a Lukas Work-In-Progress Award.

After this past month, I'm more committed than ever to telling the story of Tule Lake concentration camp & the US government's WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans.

On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 which authorized the US military to forcibly remove over 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry and launched their mass incarceration into concentration camps during World War II.

We reflect today on the signing of Executive Order 9066 in 1942, which led to the forced removal and incarceration of 125,000+ Japanese Americans. As we honor the #DayofRemembrance, we recognize that the work of preserving and sharing history has never been more urgent.
densho.org/catalyst/the...

Opinion | A Racist Purge Almost Destroyed My Family. Another One Is Coming. (Gift Article) If Trump issues his own order on Day 1, as he’s vowed, the first people could enter detention camps by February.

When my grandfather was born in Sacramento in 1920, California lawmakers were calling for the end of birthright citizenship for Japanese Americans like him.

And, before WWII was over, like @timkudo.com’s father and many others, he did lose his US citizenship.

Today I visited the site in Sacramento where 83 years ago the US government incarcerated my grandfather, his family & 4700+ other Japanese Americans.

The historical marker, from 1987, reads, “May this memorial remind all Americans to be alert so that such injustices never recur.”

"People are giving out a lot of stuff. That's really great, but I feel like what most of us need the most is money & homes or places to go. Bc if you give ppl a lot of stuff, they don't have PLACES to put that stuff."
—12 yr-old fire victim Indi R, on what she wants folks to know in the aftermath

BREAKING: We’re suing the Trump administration to block the president’s attempt to end birthright citizenship.

An executive order does not have the power to override the Constitution.

Opinion | A Racist Purge Almost Destroyed My Family. Another One Is Coming. (Gift Article) If Trump issues his own order on Day 1, as he’s vowed, the first people could enter detention camps by February.

My latest for the New York Times: "Koji, the boy who 37 years later would become my father, is 10 years old just then, an American-born citizen. He has already been imprisoned by his government for more than a year."

Exciting! 👏👏👏

Cover reveal! Coming July 8 2025! The true story of mixed-race families in America's WWII concentration camps for Japanse Americans, and of one mother's fraught choices & conflicting loyalties; the upheaval & violence these engendered; & her quest to survive w/her family intact & her children safe.

After the Death of Its Founder, Gaza Soup Kitchen Moves Forward Mahmoud Almadhoun was killed by an Israeli drone strike. His brother believes he was targeted for feeding displaced Palestinians.

I interviewed Hani Almadhoun, brother of Mahmoud Almadhoun, the founder of Gaza Soup Kitchen, about his brother's murder and the ongoing work the kitchen is doing in Gaza www.eater.com/24318675/gaz...

Mine is beyond 2026! 🙃

Aw so excited for your book! 💜

Been looking for an Asian American creatives starter pack like this, so created one myself: go.bsky.app/CwYTSzB

A lot of people have shared this poem over the past week. It’s a sentiment I think about a lot, especially now.

I hope everyone is doing what they need to take care of themselves. One step at a time. One day at a time.