Film Screening and Panel Discussion

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.