S3: Special Tribute to Justice Harry Low Part 2
Justice Harry Low was the first Asian-American Judge in California. He served as Municipal Judge under Governor Edmond G. "Pat" Brown, as Superior Court Judge under Governor Ronald Reagan, as a Judge in the 1st District Court of Appeals under Governor Jerry Brown, and as Insurance Commissioner under Governor Gray Davis.
Justice Low reformed numerous civil rights and immigration laws. Notably, he revised the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, and also partnered with Jewish attorneys to sue the government on behalf of discriminated and disenfranchised African-Americans. Even in retirement, Justice Low was a champion of equality, helping those in need to overcome language barriers and obstacles in education and healthcare.
Historians and philanthropists David Lei & Bruce Quan, Jr., and university professor Anna Eng, conducted the following interview for the Bancroft Library four months prior to Justice Low's passing. We are honored to partner with them to bring you the story of Justice Harry Low (1931-2021).
