Fred Korematsu, who became a symbol of civil rights for challenging the World War II internment orders that sent 120,000 Japanese Americans to government camps died on Wednesday, March 30 at age 86.
He was honored by President Clinton in 1998 with the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
"In the long history of our country's constant search for justice, some names of ordinary citizens stand for millions of souls Plessy, Brown, Parks," President Bill Clinton said at the time. "To that distinguished list today we add the name of Fred Korematsu."
Korematsu remained active in civil rights issues in recent years, speaking out against parts of the Patriot Act that he felt violated the rights of Arab-Americans.
His memory and example remains a source of inspiration to many, myself included. A vivid reminder that sometimes protest is the most patriotic thing one can do.
Rest In Peace...
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