Statement Authored by Sakae Kikuchi, Gerald Kita, and Jon Yone Kriney

At its General Membership Meeting on March 23, 2024, JACL Philadelphia voted to approve the following statement calling for a ceasefire in Gaza

We are the Philadelphia Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League, a multi-generational organization of Nikkei people and friends, all of whom support improvements in race relations and civil rights within the United States.

The purpose of this communication is to speak in a collective voice for a shared humanity beyond U.S. borders and throughout this shared world of ours.

We cannot be complacent about unrelenting military actions in Gaza causing existential suffering and death, which are intolerable and which inflame domestic hate-based activities.

Therefore, we call for a permanent cease fire of all such military actions in Gaza, accompanied by unimpeded humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza.

We stand in solidarity with other JACL Chapters as well as with many other advocates together urging a cease fire and humanitarian relief in Gaza, regardless of our differences in race, national identity or religion.