RAFU STAFF REPORT
For the first time in Burbank’s history, the City Council on Feb. 24 presented and passed a proclamation recognizing the removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, including Burbank’s historical connection as a reporting site during that period.
The proclamation, which designates Feb. 19 as a Day of Remembrance reaffirms the city’s commitment to safeguarding civil liberties and constitutional rights for all, reads as follows:
“Whereas, on Feb. 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced removal and incarceration of over 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry, two-thirds of whom were American citizens …
“This action uprooted families, disrupted lives, and caused immeasurable hardship and injustice to Japanese Americans, including those who lived and worked in communities across California and here in Burbank …
“Japanese Americans were integral members of our society, contributing to agriculture, business, and civic life, and their forced removal left a lasting impact on communities throughout the state …
“The Day of Remembrance provides an opportunity to reflect on this dark chapter in American history, to acknowledge the resilience and strength of those who endured these injustices, and to honor their contributions to rebuilding and enriching our communities …
“The City of Burbank recognizes that safeguarding civil liberties and constitutional rights for all people is essential to the health and strength of our democracy, and that we must remain vigilant against prejudice, discrimination, and violations of human rights …
“By observing this Day of Remembrance, we reaffirm our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and justice, and pledge to work together to ensure that such injustices are never repeated;
“Now, therefore, I, Tamala Takahashi, mayor of the City of Burbank, do hereby proclaim Feb. 19, 2026, as A Day of Remembrance: Japanese American Evacuation in the City of Burbank. I encourage all citizens to honor the memory of those affected and to work together to ensure that such injustices are never repeated.”
The proclamation was passed by Vice Mayor Zizette Mullins and Councilmembers Konstantine Anthony and Christopher John Rizzotti. Councilmember Nikki Perez was unable to attend.
Local Family’s Experience
Before the vote, the council was addressed by Nancy Takayama, governor of JACL’s Pacific Southwest District and board member of the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center.
“Sue was a high school student living at home with her parents,” she said. “One day, without warning, federal agents entered their house. They handcuffed her father and took him away. No explanation. No information about where he was going. No timeline. Nothing.
“For months, Sue and her family had no idea where he was being held. They felt helpless and alone. But their community did not turn away. Their local Catholic church stepped in. Co-workers and neighbors organized a letter-writing campaign. Together, they worked to contact government offices and demand answers. Because of that effort, they were finally able to identify the agency holding her father and begin the process of finding him.
“Sue’s father had been transferred from the Los Angeles County Jail to the Department of Justice camps — Tuna Canyon Detention Station in California; Lordsburg, New Mexico; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Fort Bliss, Texas; and finally Crystal City, Texas — before he was finally reunited with his family a year and half later.
“If you haven’t figured it out yet, this happened in 1942 — and Sue was my mother.
“Feb. 19, the Day of Remembrance, is observed each year to remind us that this forced removal happened here in America.
“In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, formally apologizing for the wrongful incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese Americans. Let’s not wait another 46 years for America to recognize and correct its wrongful actions.
“Let us act — but be safe — and know your rights. I share these red cards for you to carry to protect yourself, family and friends.”
The card reads, in part: “You have constitutional rights.
“Do not open the door if an immigration agent is knocking on the door.
“Do not answer any questions from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent.
“Do not sign anything without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer.
“If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly.
“Give this card to the agent. If you are inside of your home, show the card through the window or slide it under the door.”
The card lists rights guaranteed under the 4th and 5th amendments.
Takahashi displayed a 1942 government poster that she found in the city’s archives. It instructed all persons of Japanese ancestry to report to a location on Magnolia Boulevard for processing.
“This is part of our history too … This was hanging in our home and now it’s in my office, and it’s an important reminder for our own family,” the mayor said.
“My husband is Issei, my children are Nisei … If right now this was posted on the wall, our family would be [impacted], so it’s very personal to us …
“It’s the first time in Burbank that we’ve done [a DOR proclamation] and it’s very important to me.”
Winona Camp Remembered
Takahashi announced that photos of the Winona Trailer Camp in Burbank were on display outside the council chambers.
According to Densho, the War Relocation Authority (WRA) established Winona in late 1945 to address the acute housing need for Japanese Americans returning from the concentration camps. Once the WRA dissolved in June 1946, Winona became the main temporary facility in Los Angeles County where Japanese Americans from other housing installations were consolidated.
The reclaiming of the property a year later by its corporate owner led to Winona’s closure in November 1947 and yet another eviction for its beleaguered residents.
Anthony told Takayama, “That story you told, it was heartbreaking, and when you said it happened in 1942 at the end, I was not expecting that year because it could have been a story told today.
“We’ve seen in our history policy that was not, in hindsight, very appreciative of our community, and it’s unfortunate. But thank you for being here today to tell that story so that we may learn from it and that we may do better moving forward.”
Noting that Takahashi was unable to find any mention of the incarceration in the City Council’s minutes from 1942, Anthony said, “To think that the community was going through that and the elected leadership at the time was not taking action or discussing what action could be taken, I feel that was a missed opportunity and I hope not to have that happen again.”
Rizzotti and Mullins also thanked Takayama for sharing her story.