"Alternative Facts: The Lies of Executive Order 9066" Film Screening and Panel Discussion In-Person
Alternative Facts: The Lies of Executive Order 9066 is a documentary feature film about the false information and political influences which led to the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans. The film sheds light on the people and politics that influenced the signing of the infamous Executive Order 9066, which authorized the mass incarceration of nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans. The film exposes the lies used to justify the decision and the cover-up that went all the way to the United States Supreme Court, and it also examines the parallels to the current climate of fear, attitudes towards immigrant communities, and similar attempts to abuse the powers of the government.
The one-hour film will be followed with a panel conversation with director Jon Osaki; Becky Lopez, executive director of the Alliance of Idaho; and the Honorable Ronald E. Bush, retired Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Idaho. The panel will be moderated by Robyn Achilles, executive director of Friends of Minidoka.
Proof of vaccination and a mask are required for all attendees.
The film and Q&A will also stream on the Library's Vimeo. Click here to watch on Vimeo. The panel recording will be available to watch later, and the film is also available through the Library's Kanopy streaming platform.
Presented in partnership with Friends of Minidoka and the National Park Service. This year, 2022, is the 80th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066. Join us for this 80th Day of Remembrance event.
- Date:
- Saturday, February 19, 2022
- Time:
- 4:00pm - 5:30pm
- Time Zone:
- Mountain Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- John A. and Carole O. Moran Lecture Hall
- Campus:
- The Community Library
- Audience:
- Adults
- Categories:
- Films & Performances
Jon Osaki is an award-winning filmmaker who has directed and produced promotional, educational, narrative, and documentary films. His initial interest in film grew from his desire to share the stories of the Japanese Community Youth Council, where he has served as Executive Director since 1996. Jon's films include Reparations, which explores the four-century struggle to seek repair and atonement for slavery in the United States, and Alternative Facts: The Lies of Executive Order 9066. Jon also produces content for the Stop Repeating History campaign, which seeks to educate the public on the importance of political engagement and how we can all take action against hate.
Becky Lopez is the Executive Director for the Alliance of Idaho, which works to protect the human rights of immigrants. She is currently the only Latina Executive director in Blaine County. Prior to this position, she worked for Power Engineers for 15 years in the accounting department. Becky was born in California and has lived in Blaine County for 30 years. She attended Blaine County Public Schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade. She has an Associate Degree in Accounting, went to College of Southern Idaho, and is bilingual.
Ronald E. Bush is a retired federal judge. From 2008 to 2021, he served as a United States Magistrate Judge, including as the Chief Magistrate Judge, of the United States District Court for the District of Idaho. During that time he presided over a civil and criminal case docket from the Court’s Boise, Pocatello and Coeur d’Alene courthouses. Judge Bush chaired multiple court committees, had responsibility for the planning of annual conferences of the Bench and Bar of the Idaho federal court, served on the "Courts and the Community" committee of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and had the great privilege to preside over Naturalization Ceremonies. Prior to his appointment to the federal bench, Judge Bush was a state district judge for five years in Idaho’s Sixth Judicial District with his chambers in Pocatello. He has been recognized for his legal and community service by the Region 6 Behavioral Health Board of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, the Idaho Press Club, the Idaho State Bar Association, the Southeastern Idaho United Way and by the Idaho Daughters of the American Revolution. Judge Bush also has been recognized for and is particularly proud of his service for ten years on the board of trustees of the Idaho State Historical Society, including three years as its chairman. He is a fifth generation native of Idaho.
Robyn Achilles (she/her), Executive Director, Friends of Minidoka has over 20 years of community based work including with Public Health -- Seattle & King County, San Francisco Public Health, and the National Black Child Development Institute. Most recently she worked in philanthropy at The Community Library. She currently serves on the Sun Valley Community School Board of Trustees and previously with the The Hunger Coalition. Robyn received her BA from Claremont McKenna College and MPH from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a descendant of incarcerees.
