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Contact: Diane Tanaka
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COUNCILWOMAN PERRY & SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH OFFER REWARD FOR GO FOR BROKE MONUMENT VANDALISM/HATE CRIME

(Los Angeles, CA. -- March 31, 2004) - Today, Councilwoman Jan Perry and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich jointly announced that they have put up rewards for information leading to the apprehension of those responsible for the defacement of the Go For Broke Monument in Little Tokyo. Both have posted $10,000 rewards for information leading to the apprehension of the individuals responsible for the vandalism of the monument which was discovered on March 19.

Councilwoman Perry and Supervisor Antonovich joined Colonel Young O. Kim of the Go For Broke Educational Foundation, Captain Blake Chow from LAPD Central Patrol Division, Japanese Veterans, Brian Kito of Little Tokyo Public Safety Association, and Rabbi Allen Freehling, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission at 10:00 a.m. at the Go For Broke Monument, located at 160 N. Central Ave, to make the announcement.

"I have been a champion of the 100th/442nd/MIS veterans since the time they lobbied City Hall and succeeded in securing the location to build the Go For Broke Monument. To have it defaced and disrespected in this manner is incomprehensible and something I will not tolerate in my district. I hope these rewards will help the LAPD in apprehending the perpetrators,” said Councilwoman Perry.

Surrounding the Go For Broke Monument, which lists the names of 16,126 names of Japanese American veterans of World War II, are granite donor pillars that were etched with 20 six-pointed stars with circles around each. The defacement to the Go For Broke Monument's donor pillars, which the Los Angeles Police Department is calling a vandalism/hate incident, was reported on Friday, March 19 but occurred sometime March 14-17. The 20 star-like symbols, according to the LAPD, are satanic symbols.

"I've been a supporter of the Japanese American veterans and events held at the Go For Broke Monument since its dedication in 1999, and the disrespect that was done to the monument is truly disconcerting," stated Supervisor Antonovich. "I am offering this reward to assist in the investigation as a small token of the gratitude I owe the veterans for their service to the County of Los Angeles and especially America."

"Defacing the Go For Broke Monument is alarming as the Monument represents what is truly American - freedom and patriotism that transcends all citizens and governed by the U.S. Constitution," said Christine Sato-Yamazaki, executive director and president, Go For Broke Educational Foundation. "This incident is very disturbing as it comes at a time when we will be celebrating the 5th anniversary of the unveiling of the monument and 15 years of progress and education: from the veterans securing a location, fundraising, designing and finally realizing their dream of dedicating the Go For Broke Monument and establishing the Go For Broke Educational Foundation."

If anyone has information that could help the LAPD investigation, they are asked to contact Central Properties Detectives at 213-972-1203.

The first of its kind in the mainland U.S., the Go for Broke Monument, which is 40-feet-in-diameter and 9-feet-high, represents the World War II heroics of Japanese American soldiers who fought bravely while their families were incarcerated behind barbed wire. Dedicated in 1999, this landmark commemorates the Japanese American soldiers while serving as a permanent reminder of the civil liberties protections guaranteed by the Constitution to Americans of all races and ethnic backgrounds. More than 16,000 names of Japanese American soldiers who served overseas during WWII are engraved in the granite monument. The Go For Broke Monument is located at 160 N. Central Avenue, in the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles.

The Go For Broke Educational Foundation institutes educational programs focused on the heroism and history of the Japanese American soldiers of World War II, as well as the forced evacuation and incarceration of Japanese Americans and civil liberties issues raised by those events. Currently the Educational Foundation's programs include An American Story Teacher Training Program, Hanashi Oral History Program, www.GoForBroke.org educational Web site, and Resource Center.

Councilwoman Perry represents the Ninth Council District, which encompasses the most culturally diverse and vibrant communities in Los Angeles, including Bunker Hill, Little Tokyo, and South Los Angeles.