© Bob Hsiang Photography 2025
2025 CIVIL LIBERTIES SYMPOSIUM
The Coram Nobis Cases:
Gordon Hirabayashi, Fred Korematsu & Minoru Yasui
“It is up to those of us who feel that a wrong has been committed … It is our obligation to show forth our light in times of darkness, nay, our privilege. The risk is great; the consequences unpleasant. But there is the vision of those seekers of independence. We must carry the torch.”
— Gordon Hirabayashi
Gordon Hirabayashi, Fred Korematsu, and Minoru Yasui resisted the unjust orders that led to the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII. The Supreme Court, holding those orders constitutional, affirmed their convictions. Forty years later, Hirabayashi, Korematsu, and Yasui reopened their cases based on proof that the government lied to the Court.
Learn about these landmark cases and the overturning of their criminal convictions for their wartime civil disobedience. Three attorneys from the legal teams — Kathryn Bannai, Lorraine Bannai, and Peggy Nagae — will discuss their cases and implications for today. Moderation by Melissa Davlin and Wendy Olson.
Read more about our Distinguished Lecturers and Moderators HERE.
Explore our Programming
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October 7, 2025 | 4:30 PM
University of Idaho College of Law
Room 114
501 W. Front Street, Boise, ID 83702—
A special event for University of Idaho College of Law students, faculty, and the legal community
4:30 PM Conversation with Kathryn Bannai, Lorraine Bannai, and Peggy Nagae
Discussion moderated by Wendy Olson__
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Image courtesy Lorraine Bannai
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October 8, 2025 | 5:30–8:30 PM
The Egyptian Theatre
700 W. Main Street, Boise, ID 83702
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5:30 PM Film screening, Alternative Facts: The Lies of Executive Order 9066 by Jon Osaki6:30 PM Intermission
6:45 PM Distinguished Lecture with Kathryn Bannai, Lorraine Bannai, and Peggy Nagae
Discussion moderated by Melissa Davlin
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FREE PUBLIC PROGRAM — TICKET REQUIRED
RESERVE TICKETS HERE
Image © Michael Yamashita
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October 9, 2025 | 5:30–7 PM
The Community Library
415 Spruce Avenue, Ketchum, ID 83340—
5:30 PM Distinguished Lecture with Kathryn Bannai, Lorraine Bannai, and Peggy NagaeDiscussion moderated by Melissa Davlin
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FREE PUBLIC PROGRAM
RESERVE YOUR SEAT HERE
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Livestream available for this event:
https://vimeo.com/event/5372546
Image courtesy Peggy Nagae
Read The Role of Lawyers During the Japanese American Incarceration by Lorraine K. Bannai in the September 2025 issue of Idaho State Bar’s monthly publication The Advocate.
Click HERE for the digital article.
Learn more about Gordon Hirabayashi and Min Yasui through our Beyond Barbed Wire: Japanese American Stories of the Pacific Northwest project.
A project of Friends of Minidoka and funded by:
The Civil Liberties Symposium is an annual program of:
Thank you to our 2025 partners and sponsors:
Paul and Laurie Ahern
