CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu Statement for 54th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage

The following statement by Rep. Judy Chu (D), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), who represents California’s 28th Congressional District, was sent to us in support of the 54th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.

As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I would like to extend my solidarity to all those attending and honoring the 54th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.

Eighty-one years ago, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which led to the wrongful incarceration of over 120,000 innocent Japanese Americans on the basis of xenophobia and racism. This dark period in our nation’s history is a stark reminder that we must fight against injustices in all its forms, and strengthen our democracy and its institutions so that America’s promise of freedom and equality are never subverted again.

Thank you for your participation in this critical tradition. By embarking on this pilgrimage, you all are ensuring that story of the Japanese Americans unjustly imprisoned at Manzanar—and beyond—remains alive.

LEAD PHOTO: Official Congressional portrait of Rep. Judy Chu. Public domain photo.

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