Founded in 1929, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is the oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization in the United States. The JACL monitors and responds to issues that enhance or threaten the civil and human rights of all Americans and implements strategies to effect positive social change, particularly in the Asian-Pacific American Community. JACL DC Chapter was founded in 1946 and connected many Japanese Americans who were coming out of the incarceration camps. 

 

The JACL and the Japanese American community are continuously affected by changes in the political environment and in demographics. Our society continues to be impacted by the events of September 11, 2001, which created a worldwide climate of uncertainty and insecurity where we must reconcile the proper balance between issues of national security and our civil liberties. We are also affected by the changing demographics of race, ethnicity, and age.

 

Looking to our future, the JACL constantly assesses the effectiveness of its role in Japanese American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, and other historically marginalized communities, and how we can effectively support our mission and achieve our goals. 

​

With multicultural Nikkei making up one of the fastest-growing racial demographics in the United States, the JACL looks for opportunities to embrace and see all within our community. 

 

Today, facing the recent rise of anti-Asian hate crimes and political rhetoric, JACL National has re-doubled its efforts to support and advocate within the Japanese American community and the AANHPI community at large as well as across communities. JACL DC is supporting their efforts. JACL DC is also taking a lead on advocacy through education through our graphic novel project in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland.