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Japanese American community from the Pajaro Valley
when they were evacuated from the coast of California in 1942.
The event is to mark that anniversary
and also to recognize the members of the remaining community
who supported and stood up for them
before, during, and following their internment.
This "Re-enactment of the Evacuation and Internment"
will take place at noon on Saturday, April 27, 2002.
The Re-enactment will start in front of the
Veterans Memorial Building on 215 East Beach Street,Watsonville
followed by a formal program at the Henry J. Mello Center,
Watsonville High School, 250 East Beach Street, Watsonville, CA.
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Our civil rights were denied. |
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Nisei military, registers, and our Caucasian friends who supported us. They knew what loyalty to the Constitution and this country meant. |
Our community is planning a re-enactment of the evacuation of all Japanese and Japanese American (Nikkei) residents from the Pajaro Valley on Saturday, April 27, 2002, the 60th anniversary of Exclusion Order #16. In Aprilof 1942, all residents of Santa Cruz County of Japanese ancestry were ordered to report to the Salinas Assembly Center (California Rodeo Grounds).
An editorial of the Watsonville Register-Pajaronian noted: "By noon April 30, 1942, no person of Japanese ancestry remained in Santa Cruz County for the first time in more than half a century."
Evacuated were 1,160 Nikkei residents of the Santa Cruz County. Most were young children. In all, over 120,000 mainland Nikkei (nearly 70% were American citizens) were interned behind barbed wire in ten concentration camps throughout the western states from 1942 to 1945.
During this time many wonderful community friends of the Nikkei came forth in support. They looked after our homes and property, they took care of our legal affairs, sent us badly needed supplies, they sent letters of recommendations and encouragement, and defended us as being loyal and patriotic Americans.
We would like to pay tribute to those who endured the internment and who professed their loyalty to this country; to acknowledge the patriotism of those who served in the armed forces of the United States from behind barbed wire, and to recognize and honor those in the community who befriended, supported, and welcomed back the Nikkei community. The theme of our re-enactment is "Liberty Lost ... Lessons in Loyalty."
- Mas Hashimoto, Chair of the JACL: Watsonville/Santa Cruz Chapter