Banners representing each of the 10 World War II American concentration camps, along with the Crystal City Internment Camp and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team/100th Battalion, take part in the traditional “Roll Call of the Camps” during the 45th annual Manzanar Pilgrimage on April 26, 2014, at the Manzanar National Historic Site in California’s Owens Valley. Photo by Gaan Matsuda, Manzanar Committee
By P.C. Staff
LOS ANGELES — “Watashi wa Manzanar: Continuing Our Civil Rights Legacy” is the theme for the 46th annual Manzanar Pilgrimage, sponsored by the Manzanar Committee, which is set to take place on April 25 at the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Each year, more than 1,000 people from all walks of life attend the pilgrimage, including students, teachers, community members, clergy and former incarcerees. Planning is underway for the afternoon event as well as for the Manzanar at Dusk program — co-sponsored by the Nikkei Student Unions at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; California State University, Fullerton; California State University, Long Beach; the University of California, Los Angeles; and the University of California, San Diego — which is scheduled that same evening at Lone Pine High School.
Through a creative presentation, small group discussions and an open mic session, Manzanar at Dusk participants will have the opportunity to learn about the experiences of those incarcerated in the camps. Participants will also be able to interact with former incarcerees in attendance to hear their personal stories, share their own experiences and discuss the relevance of the concentration camp experience to present-day events and issues.
The Manzanar Committee also has announced that bus transportation to the pilgrimage from Downtown Los Angeles will be available.
The bus will depart at 7 a.m. and arrive at the pilgrimage at approximately 11:30 a.m. It will also take participants to the Interpretive Center at the Manzanar National Historic Site following the afternoon program. The bus should arrive back in Los Angeles at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The nonrefundable fare is $40 per seat, $20 for students and seniors. Complimentary fares are available for those who were incarcerated at any of the former American concentration camps or other confinement sites during World War II.
Anyone wishing to attend the Manzanar at Dusk program that evening should make other transportation arrangements.
Pilgrimage participants are advised to bring their own lunch, drinks and snacks, as there are no facilities to purchase food at the Manzanar National Historic Site (restaurants and fast-food outlets are located in Lone Pine and Independence, which are nearby). Water will be provided at the site.
The Manzanar Committee is dedicated to educating and raising public awareness about the incarceration and violation of civil rights of persons of Japanese ancestry during World War II and to the continuing struggle of all peoples when constitutional rights are in danger. A nonprofit organization, it has sponsored the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage since 1969, along with other educational programs. It also has played a key role in the establishment and continued development of the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Further details about the Manzanar Pilgrimage and the Manzanar at Dusk program will be announced at a later date. Both are free and open to the public.
The Manzanar National Historic Site is located on U.S. Highway 395 in California’s Owens Valley, between the towns of Lone Pine and Independence, approximately 230 miles north of Los Angeles. Lone Pine High School is located at 538 S. Main St. in Lone Pine, nine miles south of the Manzanar National Historic Site, across the street from McDonald’s.
For more information about the pilgrimage or to reserve a seat on the bus, call (323) 662-5102 or email 46thpilgrimage@manzanarcommittee.org.
