2025 Civil Liberties Symposium - The Coram Nobis Cases

2025 Civil Liberties Symposium: The Coram Nobis Cases
Sunday, October 5, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Pocock Legacy Rowing Center, Bainbridge Island, WA

Join us for an extraordinary conversation with three trailblazing attorneys—Kathryn Bannai, Lorraine Bannai, and Peggy Nagae—who helped overturn the wartime convictions of Gordon Hirabayashi, Fred Korematsu, and Minoru Yasui. These men were prosecuted during World War II for resisting government orders that led to the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans. Their landmark coram nobis cases exposed government misconduct and reshaped our understanding of justice.

Moderated by veteran journalist James Hattori, the symposium will explore the legacy of these cases and their relevance to today’s civil liberties challenges--including government deception, civil disobedience, the treatment of minorities and immigrants, mass incarceration, and the ongoing effort to uphold the rule of law, constitutional rights, and justice for all.

Following individual presentations by each attorney on their respective cases, the symposium will feature a moderated discussion and audience Q&A. The program will conclude with a meet-and-greet reception, where guests are invited to connect with the speakers and enjoy refreshments.

Attendees are highly encouraged to preview the PBS documentary Alternative Facts: The Lies of Executive Order 9066 in advance of the event. There will be a free community screening at the Bainbridge Public Library (1270 Madison Ave, Bainbridge Island) on Thursday, October 2 at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome!

Proceeds from ticket sales help cover event costs and support the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association (BIJAEMA), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID: 26-3504475.