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S2587

Sponsored by Shelley Mayer D

An act to amend the Executive Law; establishing January 30th as 'Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution' — 2026-03-19 · Calendar #461

The New York State Senate passed legislation establishing January 30th as 'Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution,' honoring the Japanese-American civil rights activist who challenged forced internment during World War II. The bill (S2587, Calendar No. 461) passed on a 59-0 roll call vote. Sponsor Sen. Mayer explained that the measure affirms the state's commitment to teaching about the internment of Japanese and Japanese-Americans and recognizes Korematsu's refusal to comply with relocation orders. Mayer noted that Korematsu, a 22-year-old shipyard welder and U.S. citizen, was fired from his job and arrested for resisting internment, though the Supreme Court later acknowledged its prior decision upholding his conviction was 'gravely wrong.' Mayer drew contemporary parallels, stating: 'There are some today being ripped from their families as ordinary people living ordinary lives and contributing to their communities,' urging the Senate not to 'fall again so readily into the trap of seeing the other as the enemy.'
Passed Senate Ayes: 59 · Nays: unknown

Debate Summary

Sen. Mayer spoke in support of the bill, explaining that it establishes January 30th as a day to commemorate Fred Korematsu and recognize the shameful history of Japanese-American internment during World War II. She highlighted Korematsu's refusal to comply with forced relocation orders and his later vindication when the Supreme Court acknowledged its prior decision upholding his conviction was gravely wrong. Mayer drew parallels to contemporary civil liberties concerns, urging the Senate to reaffirm principles of constitutional protection for all.


An act to amend the Executive Law; establishing January 30th as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution — 2025-03-19 · Calendar #529

The New York State Senate passed legislation establishing January 30th as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution, honoring the civil rights advocate who challenged the forced internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. The bill (S2587, Calendar No. 529) passed on a voice vote with 60 ayes and no opposition. Sen. Mayer, the bill's sponsor, explained that Korematsu refused internment orders in 1942 and was convicted and imprisoned, but had his conviction overturned in 1984 based on government misconduct. He later received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998. Mayer said the legislation affirms New York's commitment to teaching about this "shameful" chapter of American history and recommits the state to protecting civil and constitutional rights for all. She noted the bill's timeliness given rising anti-Asian hate and discrimination. The measure was sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblymember Grace Lee.
Passed Senate Ayes: 60 · Nays: 0

Debate Summary

Sen. Mayer spoke in support of the bill, explaining that it establishes January 30th as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution to honor the civil rights advocate and acknowledge the history of Japanese-American internment during World War II. She noted that Korematsu refused internment orders, was convicted and imprisoned, but had his conviction overturned in 1984 on grounds of government misconduct. Mayer emphasized the bill's importance given rising anti-Asian hate and discrimination, and called for commitment to civil and constitutional rights for all.

Roll Call — Official API Data

Full roll call from the Open Legislation API. Every senator's recorded vote is shown.

Senator Vote Party District
Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. AYE Democrat SD-15
Jake Ashby AYE Republican SD-43
Jamaal Bailey AYE Democrat SD-36
April Baskin AYE Democrat SD-63
George Borrello AYE Republican SD-57
Jabari Brisport AYE Democrat SD-25
Samra Brouk AYE Democrat SD-55
Siela Bynoe AYE Democrat SD-6
Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick AYE Republican SD-9
Stephen T. Chan AYE Republican SD-17
Cordell Cleare AYE Democrat SD-30
Leroy Comrie AYE Democrat SD-14
Jeremy Cooney AYE Democrat SD-56
Patricia Fahy AYE Democrat SD-46
Nathalia Fernandez AYE Democrat SD-34
Patrick M. Gallivan AYE Republican SD-60
Michael Gianaris AYE Democrat SD-12
Kristen Gonzalez AYE Democrat SD-59
Andrew Gounardes AYE Democrat SD-26
Joseph A. Griffo AYE Republican SD-53
Pete Harckham AYE Democrat SD-40
Pamela Helming AYE Republican SD-54
Michelle Hinchey AYE Democrat SD-41
Brad Hoylman-Sigal AYE Democrat SD-47
Robert Jackson AYE Democrat SD-31
Brian Kavanagh AYE Democrat SD-27
Liz Krueger AYE Democrat SD-28
Andrew J. Lanza AYE Republican SD-24
John Liu AYE Democrat SD-16
Monica Martinez AYE Democrat SD-4
Jack M. Martins AYE Republican SD-7
Mario Mattera AYE Republican SD-2
Rachel May AYE Democrat SD-48
Shelley Mayer AYE Democrat SD-37
Dean Murray AYE Republican SD-3
Thomas F. O'Mara AYE Republican SD-58
Peter Oberacker AYE Republican SD-51
Robert Ortt AYE Republican SD-62
Anthony H. Palumbo AYE Republican SD-1
Kevin S. Parker AYE Democrat SD-21
Roxanne J. Persaud AYE Democrat SD-19
Jessica Ramos AYE Democrat SD-13
Steve Rhoads AYE Republican SD-5
Gustavo Rivera AYE Democrat SD-33
Robert Rolison AYE Republican SD-39
Christopher Ryan AYE Democrat SD-50
Sean Ryan AYE Democrat SD-61
Julia Salazar AYE Democrat SD-18
James Sanders Jr. AYE Democrat SD-10
Jessica Scarcella-Spanton AYE Democrat SD-23
José M. Serrano AYE Democrat SD-29
James Skoufis AYE Democrat SD-42
Toby Ann Stavisky AYE Democrat SD-11
Dan Stec AYE Republican SD-45
Andrea Stewart-Cousins AYE Democrat SD-35
James Tedisco AYE Republican SD-44
Mark Walczyk AYE Republican SD-49
Lea Webb AYE Democrat SD-52
William Weber AYE Republican SD-38
Alexis Weik AYE Republican SD-8
Simcha Felder EXC Democrat SD-22
Zellnor Myrie EXC Democrat SD-20
Luis R. Sepúlveda EXC Democrat SD-32