SEBASTOPOL — The Sonoma County JACL will present a Day of Remembrance workshop, “The Parallels between Pearl Harbor and 9/11: Lessons from History,” on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Enmanji Buddhist Temple, 1200 Gravenstein Hwy. S., Sebastopol.
The presenters will be:
• Imam Ali Siddiqui, Muslim Institute for Interfaith Studies and Understanding. He will speak about his experiences living as a Muslim in America, particularly after 9/11.
• Lina Hoshino, local filmmaker. She will show her documentary “Caught in Between,” which illustrates the power of people coming together to fight for human rights by comparing the two groups’ experiences. She will also facilitate an open discussion to conclude the program.
• Marie Sugiyama, Sonoma County JACL Board and Oral History Speaker Bureau. She will speak about her experiences in an internment camp during World War II.
This workshop commemorates the 71st anniversary of the 1942 signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Franklin Roosevelt. Its main objectives are shed some light on the parallels between two historical events — Pearl Harbor and 9/11 — from the perspectives of Japanese Americans and Muslim Americans, respectively; and discuss how relevant these lessons are today and how we can avoid making similar mistakes in the future by educating ourselves and raising awareness in the community
This workshop is open to the public and free of charge. Donations at the door are appreciated. Refreshments will be served after the program. For reservations and more information, call (707) 778-8895 or email sonomacojacl@yahoo.com.