California Legislature Honors Life Of Civil Rights Activist Rose Ochi
California Legislature Honors Life Of Civil Rights Activist Rose Ochi
by Contributing Editor
The California Legislature Monday adjourned in memory of Takayo “Rose” Matsui Ochi, a civil rights activist, attorney and the first Asian American woman to serve as commissioner on the Los Angeles Police Commission.
“Rose Ochi is a national treasure,” Assemblyman Chris Holden said. “She not only survived the internment camps but used that experience to make a positive impact for Japanese Americans with redress movement, and fought for justice and fairness for all Americans.”
Ochi died on Dec. 13, two days before her 82nd birthday. She spent part of her early life in U.S. concentration camps during World War II. According to Assemblyman Ed Chau, the injustice that Ochi witnessed at the camps set her on a path to be a civil rights advocate.
“I am deeply saddened that we have lost an incredible community and civil rights leader,” said Chau, who represented Ochi in the 49th District.
“Her activism and advocacy was forged by the experience of being incarcerated along with 120,000 Japanese Americans in concentration camps during World War II. By witnessing injustice at an early age, Rose became a fierce champion and advocate for civil rights, Japanese American redress and criminal justice reform. We must remember her legacy and work by continuing to work for a nation that fights against inequity and push for greater justice for all.”
Ochi was born in East Los Angeles on Dec. 15, 1938. When she was three years old, she and her family were sent to the Santa Anita Detention Center, where they lived for six months before being sent to the Rohwer camp in Arkansas. Her family fought deportation and was able to return to Los Angeles.
She went on to study at UCLA, where she graduated in 1959, then Loyola Law School, where she graduated in 1972.
She is credited with developing Los Angeles’ Use of Force Policy, and she was instrumental in the Los Angeles Police Department hiring more women and officers of color, according to a statement from Holden’s office.
“Rose Ochi’s legacy is one of a reformer, a visionary, and as an advocate for immigrant issues and civil liberties,” Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer said. “Rose is an icon in California politics and remains a model for those who want to become public servants.”
Ochi served as a U.S. Assistant Attorney under Bill Clinton’s administration in 1997, becoming the first Asian American woman to serve in the position.
She returned to L.A. and served on the Los Angeles Police Commission from Aug. 15, 2001 to June 30, 2005.
On the commission, she “played a significant role in the development of policies and procedures that helped this Department realize its core value of Quality Through Continuous Improvement,” the LAPD said in a statement after her death.
“Her work guiding the Department through the turbulent days following the 9/11 attacks, and the initial phases of our Federal Consent Decree were pivotal.”
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All credit goes to Contributing Editor
Originally published on https://mynewsla.com
