The 56th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage will take place on April 26, 2025, at the Manzanar National Historic Site, with the theme "Truth, Justice, and Democracy."
The event, organized by the Manzanar Committee, honors the Japanese Americans unjustly incarcerated during World War II and promotes discussions on civil rights and historical memory.
The daytime program will feature cultural performances (starting at 11:30 AM), interfaith ceremonies, and guest speakers from various communities. The Manzanar At Dusk program, co-sponsored by several university Nikkei Student Unions, will follow in the evening.
As part of the pilgrimage, Irei Project representatives will present the interactive memorial Ireichō Book of Names which documents the over 125,000 Japanese Americans incarcerated in the U.S. concentration camps during the war.
People attending the Manzanar Pilgrimage are encouraged to memorialize those who were incarcerated by placing a hanko (stamp) below the names of family members, friends, and others imprisoned in the camps.
Time to stamp a name in memory of those incarcerated in camp in the Ireichō Book of Names will be available by appointment only. Please request your appointment here: https://bit.ly/ireicho
Reservations for bus transportation will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. 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.
To reserve seats on the Little Tokyo bus, fill out the form at: https://forms.gle/trwh2evCijytggLv6
To reserve seats on the Gardena bus, fill out the form at: https://gvjci.wufoo.com/forms/qjhlap81lonaup/
