Day of Remembrance 2026 for Executive Order 9066 w Japanese American Citizens League in Salinas, CA

Описание: The Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL will be hosting a Five Chapter JACL "Day of Remembrance" Program and would like to invite members, families, friends and the general public to this event on February 22, 2026.

Historically, during WW II, on February 19,1942, Executive Order 9066 was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that ordered the incarceration of 120,000 innocent Japanese and Japanese Americans to America's Concentration Camps. This date is the "Day of Remembrance."

3,586 residents of Gilroy, Monterey County, Salinas, San Benito County and Santa Cruz County were initially imprisoned at the Salinas Temporary Detention Center located at the Rodeo Grounds. A few months later, they were imprisoned at a permanent site at Poston, Arizona.

Never again...but in 2026, the 250th Anniversary year of our Nations Declaration of Independence for democracy against the tyranny of autocracy, history is repeating itself. Racism, (war) hysteria, and the failure of our political leaders have once again caused the unjust arrest and incarceration of innocent people.

Our program will begin at the gated Memorial Garden and State Historical Landmark of the 1942 Temporary Detention Center near the CA Rodeo grounds but on the Salinas Community Center grass area. The program will continue at the Salinas Community Center Santa Lucia Room a few yards from the garden.

Historical information about DOR and the Memorial Garden will be presented by the W-SC JACL, the Memorial Garden Maintenance Team will be acknowledged, significant facts about the Enemy Alien Act will be presented by educator Ann Jordan of the Salinas JACL. Pre WW II Nikkei Farm History will be presented by Larry Hirahara and members of the Kansha History Project.

Light refreshments will be served by the five JACL Chapters. We hope that you will join us in observance of "The Day of Remembrance", a significant part of America's history.

The Kansha History Project
The Kansha History Project documents and celebrates the contributions, skills, and accomplishments of Nikkei (Japanese American) farmers prior to World War II –a legacy which continues to this day. Many had invested their entire savings as well as their labor, skills, hopes, and dreams, into these farms, which they were forced to give up.

The losses in crops, structures, land, and housing were recorded by federal field agents. These records are a window into the family and community life of thousands of Japanese Americans. Over 200 volunteers, mostly Nikkei farmer descendants have transcribed over 6,000 records, making them searchable to descendants.

The Importance of Japanese American Farmers
Before World War II, Japanese American farmers were responsible for 40 percent of all vegetables grown in California, including nearly 100 percent of all tomatoes, celery, strawberries, and peppers.

In California alone, it is estimated that over 6,000 farms encompassing 200,000 acres were sold or transferred under duress (Farm Security Administration). Over 200 volunteers, mostly Nikkei farmer descendants have transcribed over 6,000 records, making them searchable to descendants.

Hosted by the Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL Chapter

Sherwood Park & Santa Lucia Room
Salinas, CA
February 22, 2026