Pilgrimage Programs

2005: 36th Annual Pilgrimage
The Manzanar Committee announced plans for this year’s 36th annual pilgrimage to be held on Saturday, April 30, 2005. Co-sponsored by the Manzanar 9/11 Committee, the theme is “Retrospection and Relevance: Commemorating the First Manzanar Pilgrimage and its Meaning for Today.” Featured speakers include Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees member Warren Furutani, UCLA Muslim American student Yousef Tasjar, and Lisa Joe will sing in honor of her mother, the late Sue Okabe, ”Songbird of Minidoka.”

2004: 35th Annual Pilgrimage
Keep it Going... Pass it On. The 35th anniversary of the first pilgrimage and the Grand Opening of the Interpretive Center and Park Headquarters featuring Mary Kageyama Nomura, Ken Koshio, Taiko Center of Los Angeles, occurred on April 24, 2004. Over 2000 people attended on a sunny, hot Saturday at Manzanar with temps up to 85 degrees. See press coverage for 2004.

2003: 34th Annual Pilgrimage
“A Call to Action: End Racial Profiling, Speak Out for Peace.” Honoring Jerome and Poston Camps. Featuring Visiting Violette, Ken Koshio and Taiko Center of Los Angeles. Kathy Masaoka from the NCRR 9/11 Committee update on Japanese American and Arab American solidarity and Asian Pacific Islanders for Peace and Justice. Joe Yamakido spoke about his experiences at Jerome. This year's pilgrimage included extended programming from Friday, April 25th through Sunday, April 27, including the Manzanar After Dark (MAD-ness!) program, an annual event where the generations come together to break it down with spoken word and intergenerational chats. This year's programs were supported in part by the California Civil Liberties Public Education Fund.

Events:
Friday, April 25th - Button Making & Crane Folding For Peace, Dow Villa Motel, 7pm- 9:30pm
Saturday, April 26th - Pilgrimage Daytime Program, Manzanar National Historic Site, 12pm
Saturday, April 26th - Pilgrimage Walking Tours (following tanko bushi)
Saturday, April 26th - Manzanar After Dark (MAD-ness!) Program: Visiting Violette, Ken Koshio, Taiko Center of LA, Intergenerational Chat, Spoken Word, Open Mic, Legion Hall, Independence, 6:30-10:00 pm
Sunday, April 27th - (W)rap Up and Out Breakfast, Dow Villa, 9am

2002: 33rd Annual Pilgrimage
“60th Anniversary of E.O. 9066: Solidarity With Muslims and Arab Americans, Honoring Heart Mountain and Rohwer Internees.” Speakers: Taro O’Sullivan (keynote), Marjorie Matsushita-Sperling (Heart Mountain), Sam Hakim (Muslim Public Affairs Council), Rose Ochi (Rohwer Reunion Committee), featuring performance by zero3. Interfaith Memorial Service. The 2002 Manzanar Pilgrimage is dedicated to Grace Harada.

2001: 32nd Annual Pilgrimage
“Preserve our History, Create a Legacy: A Salute to Gila River and Topaz.” Honoring 50-500 Indigenous Elder Committee. Featuring: 47 Interfaith Taiko Drummers from Chikara Taiko, Kinnara Taiko and Yoki Daiko. Speakers: Hy Shishino, Jenny Chomori, Rose Ochi, Rymo Cortado. Remembering Shiro “Shi” Nomura and Walter Woodward, Interfaith Memorial Service.

2000: 31st Annual Pilgrimage
“A Reason to Share: A Tribute to Amache and Tule Lake.” Featuring Musical Guest: Asian Persuasian. Speakers: Hiroshi Shimizu, Stephanie Miyashiro, Thomas Shigekuni, Robert Stanton. Presentation to First Manzanar National Historic Site Superintendent Ross Hopkins. Interfaith Memorial Service.

1999: 30th Annual Pilgrimage
“ALL CAMP REUNION: Raise the Banner!” Featuring Taiko Master Kenny Endo, Atomic Nancy, Sharon Koga, George Abe, Rev. Mas Kodani. Speakers: Alan Nishio, George Kiriyama, Sumi Shimatsu, Bill Watanabe. Remembering Reverend Ren Kimura and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley. Interfaith Memorial Service.

1998: 29th Annual Pilgrimage
“UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Justice for All!” 10th Anniversary of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Featuring Cynthia Gates Fujikawa. Speakers: Kay Ochi, NCRR, Martha Nakagawa, Poet. Overnight Camp-Out in Independence. Interfaith Memorial Service.

1996: 27th Annual Pilgrimage
“Bridging Generations: Moving Forward.” Student Statements.

1992: 23rd Annual Pilgrimage
50 Year Remembrance Japanese American Internment: “Lest We Forget.” Dedication of National Historic Site, Remembering Ralph Lazo.