Auction of Internment Items Halted After George Takei Intervenes [View all]

[KamaAina]

Original story here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026511969

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/auction-internment-items-halted-after-george-takei-intervenes-n342776

After heated outcry by the Japanese American community protesting the scheduled public auction of 450 arts and crafts items made by incarcerated Japanese Americans during their time in World War II internment camps, and the timely intervention of Asian American actor and activist George Takei, Rago Arts and Auction Center has withdrawn the relevant lots from auction.

The items, including paintings, personal photographs, and handmade crafts, were from the collection of Allen Hendershott Eaton, the "dean of American crafts."

"[Japanese American] politicians, attorneys, community organizations, historians, academics, have rallied their support as grass roots community responses have been coming in," Satsuki Ina, PhD, filmmaker "Children of the Camps" and member of the ad hoc committee Japanese American History NOT for Sale, told NBC News. A Change.org petition protesting the sale garnered over 6,700 signatures.

However it was the intervention of George Takei, coupled with a Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation lawsuit, that finally turned the tide. Takei has reportedly agreed to act as intermediary between Rago Arts and Auction Center and Japanese American community institutions.

Oh, my!