Wayne M. Collins

Wayne Mortimer Collins (November 23, 1899 – July 16, 1974) was a civil rights attorney who worked on cases related to the Japanese American evacuation and internment.

Quotes by Collins about the Internment of Japanese Americans

 * The JACL [Japanese American Citizens League] pretended to be the spokesman for all Japanese Americans, but they wouldn't stand up for their people ... They led their people like a bunch of goddam doves to the concentration camps.


 * Despoiled of rights and presumptions granted even common criminals, the Issei and Nisei suffered in silence, hoping that acquiescence would prove their loyalty and improve their lot. They did not know the government.


 * The damage done to these innocent people without cause was utterly evil ... What is then to be said of our own Generals and civilian officials who not only condoned governmental crimes against our native-born citizens but systematically aided and abetted them? Hundreds of the ill, the halt and aged infirm paid with their lives in the three years of physical moves forced upon them. But this was conveniently forgotten. Atrocities were committed in those camps but sentries and security officers went unpunished. (1973)


 * That the unconstitutionality of so many of the illegalities perpetrated were never conceded by the High Bench is scandalous&mdash;leaving us only a moment of passion removed from the destruction, once again, of our liberties. Given another manufactured hysteria over "national security" or some such expediency to justify ends, citizens can again be carted off at the point of bayonets. That is America's evacuation legacy. (1973)