Yuri Kochiyama

Yuri Kochiyama (born 1921) is a US Japanese-American civil rights activist.

Related Topics:
1921 - US - Japanese-American - Civil rights

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Kochiyama was born Mary Nakahara in San Pedro, California. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Kochiyama's father was imprisoned the same day. Her family was among the interned Japanese-Americans and was sent to the internment camp in Arkansas. Two of her brothers joined the US Army.

Related Topics:
San Pedro, California - Pearl Harbor - 1941 - Arkansas

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In 1960 Kochiyama and her husband Bill moved to Harlem, New York City, and joined the Harlem Parents Committee. She got acquainted with Malcolm X and was present when he was assassinated.

Related Topics:
Harlem - Harlem Parents Committee - Malcolm X

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In 1977 Kochiyama joined the group of Puerto Ricans that took over the Statue of Liberty to draw attentions to situation in Puerto Rico.

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Over the years Kochiyama has dedicated herself to various causes like rights of political prisoners, nuclear disarmament, freeing Mumia Abu-Jamal and reparations to Japanese-Americans who were interned during the war.

Related Topics:
Political prisoner - Nuclear disarmament - Mumia Abu-Jamal

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