Los Angeles Day of Remembrance was attended with more than 300 people (Cultural News Photo)
LOS ANGELES, CA – The annual Los Angeles Day of Remembrance took place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo, drawing over 300 attendees. This event marks the anniversary of Executive Order 9066, signed in 1942, which led to the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
This year’s theme, “The Power of Action: Silence Today, Injustice Tomorrow,” underscored the ongoing threats of historical erasure and censorship faced by communities of color. Organizers emphasized the importance of taking collective action to secure a just future and highlighted the ongoing work of community partners in supporting civil rights and social justice.
The program featured a range of activities, including camp roll calls, in memoriam segment, performances, and community tabling. Notable speakers and performers included trici kato-kiriyama, Richard Katsuda, Vivian Matsushige, and Matthew Weisbly, among others.
Organized by a coalition of groups such as the Go For Broke National Education Center, Japanese American Citizens League – Pacific Southwest District, Japanese American National Museum, Little Tokyo Service Center, Manzanar Committee, Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress, Nikkei Progressives, and OCA – Greater Los Angeles, the event called on attendees to invest in education, support immigrant rights, and advocate for legislative change, including the Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act.
The Day of Remembrance also spotlighted ongoing efforts for reparations, community empowerment, and the preservation of Japanese American history. Upcoming related events include the 57th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage, scheduled for April 26, 2026.
LOS ANGELES, CA – The annual Los Angeles Day of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, PST, at Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 815 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Free admission.
The annual Los Angeles Day of Remembrance commemorates the signing of Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Executive Order 9066 authorized the US military to remove persons of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast and set into motion their incarceration in concentration camps during World War II.
This year’s theme, “The Power of Action: Silence Today, Injustice Tomorrow,” highlights the current climate where our history, not only as Japanese Americans but as all communities of color, are under threat of erasure or censorship. The program will focus on taking collective action today to secure a better future for future generations and highlight the work that our community is doing and the work many of our partners are doing to support each other.
The 2026 Los Angeles Day of Remembrance is organized by: Go For Broke National Education Center, Japanese American Citizens League – Pacific Southwest District, Japanese American National Museum, Little Tokyo Service Center, Manzanar Committee, Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress, Nikkei Progressives, OCA – Greater Los Angeles.
