PROGRAM WILL EXPLORE ITALIAN AMERICAN INTERNMENT DURING WORLD WAR II
May 24, 2001, Bloomfield, NJ -- The first annual Mille Grazie Awards Program recognizing efforts to unveil the secret story of Italian Americans interned during World War II will be held at the Robert V. Van Fossan Theatre, corner of Franklin and Fremont Streets in Bloomfield, on Wednesday, June 20 at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Anti-Bias Committee of UNICO National and Bloomfield College.
This inaugural event will recognize individuals who promoted national awareness of the Wartime Violation of Italian American Civil Liberties during World War II.
The program will feature a screening of the Una Storia Segreta - The Secret Story video. The viewing will be hosted by Frank Cipolla of WCBS All-News Radio 88, who helped publicize the story of Italian Americans interned during World Ward II. Cipolla, a former anchor on News 12 New Jersey, has since joined others in promoting the secret story.
In addition, UNICO National - the largest Italian American service organization in the United States - will honor Cipolla and other individuals who helped produce the video. John Calvelli, Larry DiStasi, and Tony LaPianna were key in shedding light on this piece of forgotten history and will be honored off-campus. The video and cross-country tour of the Segreta display were instrumental in encouraging Congress to formulate legislation and President Clinton to sign the Wartime Violation Act in November. The law directs the U.S. Justice Department to conduct a review of the government’s treatment of Italian Americans during World War II.
The Mille Grazie Awards Program is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For reservations and information, please call Anti-Bias Committee Chairman Dr. Emanuele Alfano at (973) 429-2818.
