2026 Contest Prompt

Upholding the rule of law:
What does seeking justice for all look like?

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We are living in unprecedented times today, where the Constitution is being challenged, rule of law is being upended, and companies, universities, immigrants and other marginalized people are being demonized. If Minoru Yasui were alive today, what hopeful actions would he take for democracy, civil rights, and social justice?

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Definition of The Rule of Law

"The rule of law means that everyone is equal under the law, everyone must comply with the same laws, and no one is above the law. The rule of law requires an independent judicial branch in which courts (1) apply the laws equally without favoring and fearing anyone and (2) ensure equal access to justice for all.

Examples of Minoru Yasui's Actions

• Challenging Curfew Laws: In 1942, Yasui deliberately violated a military-imposed curfew on Japanese Americans to challenge its Constitutionality.  This curfew violates the 5th & 14th Amendments which protects that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.

• Civil Rights Champion: Director of the JACL (Japanese American Citizens League) National Committee on Redress, pro-bono legal work, lobbying for The Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act, and against discriminatory Oregon alien land law and continued his fight against the constitutionality Alien Enemies Act until his final days. For his work he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2015. Assertion of his right to due process (5th & 14th Amendment), his 6th Amendment right to a fair trial.

• Public Service: As Executive Director of Denver's Commission on Community Relations, Minoru Yasui played a crucial role in maintaining peace during the civil rights era. He was also a founding member of the Urban League of Denver and helped found the Latin American Research and Service Agency, and Denver Native Americans United. Under the 1st Amendment, protecting the right of people to peacefully assemble.

• Poet: Minoru wrote many poems throughout his life and while incarcerated sometimes using the pen name “The Mad Mongolian”. 1st Amendment, freedom of speech.​

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Sources

https://densho.org/catalyst/minoru-yasui-100th-birthday 

https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/yasui_minoru_1916_1986_/

https://discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2014/1/8/view-of-minoru-yasui/