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Kochiyama Yuri

May 19, 1921

Rating : AA (Data from a birth certificate)

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  • Libra
    Moon Sign
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  • Taurus
    Sun Sign
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  • Virgo
    Lagan

Remembering Since 2014

Events Events

Relationship : Marriage 1946 (Bill Kochiyama)

Death:Death of Significant person 21 February 1965 (Malcolm X) chart Placidus Equal_H.

Death:Death, Cause unspecified 1 June 2014 (Age 93) chart Placidus Equal_H.

Ai Generated Biography Biography

American civil rights activist, later an outspoken supporter of Islamic terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. Influenced by her Japanese-American familys internment, her association with Malcolm X, and her Maoist beliefs, she advocated for many causes, including black separatism, the anti-war movement, reparations for Japanese-American internees, and the rights of people imprisoned by the U.S. government for violent offences whom she considered to be political prisoners. While interned during World War II, she met her future husband, Bill Kochiyama, a Nisei soldier fighting for the United States. The couple married in 1946. They moved to New York in 1948, had six children, and lived in public housing for the next twelve years. Kochiyama met the African-American activist Malcolm X, at the time a prominent member of the Nation of Islam, in October 1963 during a protest. She joined his pan-Africanist Organization of Afro-American Unity. She was present at his assassination on 21 February 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom in Washington Heights, New York City, and held him in her arms as he lay dying—a famous photo appeared in Life magazine capturing that moment. Kochiyama became a mentor to the radical end of the Asian American movement that grew during and after the Vietnam War protests. In 1971, Kochiyama secretly converted to Sunni Islam, and began travelling to the Sankore mosque in Greenhaven prison, Stormville, New York, to study and worship with Imam Rasul Suleiman. She taught English to immigrant students and volunteered at soup kitchens and homeless shelters in New York City. Interviewed in 2003, she said, "I consider Osama bin Laden as one of the people that I admire. To me, he is in the category of Malcolm X, Che Guevara, Patrice Lumumba, Fidel Castro ... I thank Islam for bin Laden. Americas greed, aggressiveness, and self-righteous arrogance must be stopped. War and weaponry must be abolished." Kochiyama died on 1 June 2014 at the age of 93 in Oakland, California. Link to Wikipedia biography Read less

bio Latest Info with AI

Update at: Jul 15, 2025
`` Yuri Kochiyama

Yuri Kochiyama (May 19, 1921 - June 1, 2014)

Yuri Kochiyama was a prominent Japanese American activist known for her dedication to social justice and human rights. Born in San Pedro, California, her life took a dramatic turn during World War II when her family, along with thousands of other Japanese Americans, were unjustly incarcerated in internment camps. This experience profoundly shaped her worldview and fueled her lifelong commitment to fighting for the oppressed.

Following the war, Kochiyama moved to New York City and became deeply involved in the Black liberation movement, working closely with Malcolm X. She was present at his assassination in 1965 and held him as he died. This event further solidified her commitment to challenging systemic racism and advocating for equality.

Kochiyama's activism spanned decades and encompassed a wide range of issues including the fight for reparations for Japanese American internees, Puerto Rican independence, solidarity with political prisoners, and opposition to the Vietnam War and the war on terror. She worked tirelessly to build bridges between different communities of color and promote a vision of a more just and equitable world.

Activism and Advocacy:

  • Advocate for Japanese American redress and reparations.
  • Supporter of Black Liberation and close associate of Malcolm X.
  • Activist for Puerto Rican independence.
  • Advocate for political prisoners.

Legacy:

Yuri Kochiyama is remembered as a powerful voice for social justice and a tireless advocate for human rights. Her life and work continue to inspire activists and organizers working to build a more just and equitable world. Though she maintained a relatively low online presence during her lifetime, her legacy is carried on through the work of organizations and individuals who continue to fight for the causes she championed.

Unfortunately, specific details about her recent projects or social media presence are scarce. Much of the information available focuses on her extensive history of activism and the impact she made on various social movements. Resources like the Densho Encyclopedia and other archival collections dedicated to preserving Japanese American history offer valuable insights into her life and work. These resources are crucial for understanding the lasting impact Yuri Kochiyama had on the fight for social justice.

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