The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) joined more than 2,000 students, teachers, community members, and former incarcerees and their families at the Manzanar National Historic Site in Owens Valley, California, on Saturday, April 26, for the Manzanar Committee’s 56th Annual Pilgrimage.
SEE: Manzanar Committee’s 56th Annual Pilgrimage to be held April 25-27
Manzanar was the first of 10 American concentration camps in which more than 125,000 Japanese American citizens and their immigrant parents were unjustly incarcerated by the U.S. government during World War II.
Since 1969, activists have traveled to Manzanar every year to learn about the injustice that took place in the camp, honor those who were formerly incarcerated, and reflect on the importance of continuing the fight for civil rights and human dignity amidst growing racism and xenophobia in the U.S.
CAIR-CA staff and community members have participated in the annual Manzanar pilgrimage for nearly 20 years.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Immigrants’ Rights Center Staff Attorney Ramsey Judah said:
“As a Palestinian American, seeing the pictures and videos in this camp reminds me of all the refugee camps I grew up seeing in Palestine. I can tell you: people forced from their homes look the same everywhere. The fear on their faces looks the same. The pain in their hearts is the same. The look of hopelessness is the same.
“All of our struggles are connected—and so our communities must be as well. Our unity will prevent another Manzanar, another genocide, another Muslim Ban, and an end to the dehumanization and unjust targeting of immigrants. Now is the time to unite in ways that will not only bring true freedom and justice on this land for all, but also reparations for systematically oppressed people and land back to our indigenous communities here and around the world.”
WATCH: Muslims at Manzanar: A Civil Rights Journey
The annual pilgrimage to Manzanar serves as a reminder of the dangers of rising anti-immigrant sentiment and bigotry in the U.S., especially as the current administration implements discriminatory immigration policies that threaten the safety and due process rights of immigrant communities.
CAIR-CA’s ongoing participation in the pilgrimage reflects a commitment to standing in solidarity with all communities targeted by hate and discrimination.
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851, eelkadi@cair.com