The Japanese faced racism not only from the anti Asian population of British Columbia but also from the government.
1895 - The government of British Columbia denied the Japanese the right to vote even if they were born in Canada.
1900 - Tomekichi Homma, a naturalized Canadian citizen, applied to have his name placed on the voter's list. His request was denied and so he appealed to the courts.
1931 - World War I Veterans finally received the right to vote. They were the only Japanese who could vote.
1936 - The Japanese Canadian Citizens League sent a delegation of four Japanese Canadians to Ottawa to plead the case for the right to vote from the Canadian parliament but was unsuccessful.
This denial of equal rights has a profound affect on a community that is struggling to regain self-respect and acceptance in sometimes a hostile society.
S.I. Hayakawa, M. Kobayashi, H. Hyodo and Dr. E.C. Banno formed the delegation to Ottawa in 1936. (photo:Hide Shimizu)
)