*The 42nd Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage (Speakers, Taiko, Ondo dance) - Manzanar National Historic SiteNEW

Walking tours, Museum Exhibitsm & Cultural Presentations.

Date
Saturday, April 30, 2011

Information
(323) 662-5102

Schedule
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm: Day program -
Speakers
-Interfaith service
-Ondo dance
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Manazanar at dusk
-Shared experinces and stories

Costs
Free

LOS ANGELES - "Champions of Civil Rights" is the theme for the 42nd Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage, sponsored by the Los Angeles-based Manzanar Committee, scheduled for 12:00 PM PDT on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at the Manzanar National Historic Site, located on US Highway 395 in California's Owens Valley, between the towns of Lone Pine and Independence, approximately 230 miles north of Los Angeles.

Each year, over 1,000 people from diverse backgrounds, including students, teachers, community members, clergy and former internees attend the Pilgrimage, which commemorates the unjust imprisonment of over 110,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry in ten American concentration camps located in the most desolate, isolated regions of the United States. Manzanar was the first of these camps to be established.

The afternoon program, held at the Manzanar cemetery site, will begin with a performance by UCLA Kyodo Taiko, the first collegiate taiko group in North America.

Speaking at this year's Pilgrimage is Alisa Lynch, Chief of Interpretation, Manzanar National Historic Site, now in her tenth year of dedicated service at Manzanar.

The afternoon program will conclude with the traditional interfaith service and Ondo dancing, led this year by the UCLA Nikkei Student Union's Odori dance group.

In addition to the daytime program, the Pilgrimage continues that evening with the popular Manzanar At Dusk (MAD) program, scheduled from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Lone Pine High School gymnasium, located at 538 South Main Street (US Highway 395), in Lone Pine, nine miles south of the Manzanar National Historic Site, across the street from McDonald's.

MAD is co-sponsored by the Lone Pine Unified School District, Lone Pine High School, and the UCLA Nikkei Student Union.

MAD participants will have the opportunity to interact with former internees in attendance to hear their personal stories and discuss the relevance of the concentration camp experience to present-day events and issues.

Through a creative presentation, small group discussions and an open mic session, MAD participants will have the opportunity to interact with former internees in attendance to hear their personal stories. Participants will also be able to share their own experiences and discuss the relevance of the concentration camp experience to present-day events and issues.

The Manzanar Committee has also announced that bus transportation to the Pilgrimage will be available from Los Angeles.

An air conditioned bus will depart from St. Francis Xavier Chapel Japanese Catholic Center (formerly the Maryknoll Japanese Catholic Center), 222 South Hewitt Street, Los Angeles, 90012, at 7:00 AM on April 30. They will arrive at the Manzanar National Historic Site at approximately 11:30 AM.

The bus will take participants to the Interpretive Center at the Manzanar National Historic Site after the afternoon program. The bus should arrive back in Los Angeles at approximately 8:30 PM.

Bus reservations are now being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information or to make a reservation, call (323) 662-5102 or send e-mail to 42ndpilgrimage@manzanarcommittee.org. The non-refundable fare is $40.00 per seat.

Those wishing to attend the Manzanar At Dusk program that evening should make other transportation arrangements.

Pilgrimage participants are advised bring their own lunch, drinks and snacks as there are no facilities to purchase food at the Manzanar National Historic Site (restaurants and fast food outlets are located in Lone Pine and Independence). Water will be provided at the site.

Both the daytime program and the Manzanar At Dusk event are free and open to the public.

The Manzanar Committee is dedicated to educating and raising public awareness about the incarceration and violation of civil rights of persons of Japanese ancestry during World War II and to the continuing struggle of all peoples when Constitutional rights are in danger. A non-profit organization that has sponsored the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage since 1969, along with other educational programs, the Manzanar Committee has also played a key role in the establishment and continued development of the Manzanar National Historic Site.

Web Sites - Complete Obon Festival Schedule
http://www.japanese-city.com/obon