2024 - 44th Annual San Jose Day of Remembrance (Commemorates Signing of Executive Order 9066, Led to the World War II Incarceration)NEW

On February 18, 2024 from 5:30 - 7:00 pm, the Nihonmachi Outreach Committee (NOC) will present the 44th annual San Jose Day of Remembrance program in the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin Annex, 632 North 5th Street, San Jose. This event commemorates Executive Order 9066, which led to the World War II imprisonment of more than 120,000 people of Japanese descent, two-thirds of whom were American citizens.

The theme of the program is "Youth Activism: Building Community." Over the past several years, we have seen students and young people advocate for change on many issues including gun violence legislation, climate change policy, and racial injustice. Several months ago, students at San Jose State University mobilized to have SJSU formally acknowledge its role in violating the civil rights of local Japanese Americans. As part of this historical reckoning, a permanent mural depicting that civil rights tragedy will be constructed at Uchida Hall, the location where Japanese Americans were processed before they were forcibly removed from their community.

Nina Chuang, one of the student leaders of this movement, will speak at the San Jose Day of Remembrance along with Dr. Yvonne Kwan, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Asian American Studies at SJSU. In 2023, Chuang and Kwan partnered with several Japantown organizations to host SJSU's first annual Day of Remembrance.

"Youth Activism: Building Community" takes on additional meaning as the events of October 7 and the war in Gaza have ignited strong emotions and protests on college campuses. Samir Laymoun, an organizer of Santa Clara County's annual Palestinian Culture Day and frequent lecturer on Palestine, will express his thoughts about the current situation.

Susumu Ikeda, a Poston camp survivor, will share remembrances of his family's WWII incarceration and the difficult years of resettlement after their release. Athar Siddiqee from the South Bay Islamic Association will make a statement of solidarity from the Muslim community.

Also featured are performances by San Jose Taiko and the traditional candlelight procession through Japantown. The candle lighting ceremony and procession will honor those who were incarcerated in America's concentration camps.

Seating is limited. Masks are recommended. This event is free of charge but donations are welcome.

Date
February 18, 2024

Time
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Location
San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 640 N. Fifth Street, San Jose, CA 95112