11th Annual Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk
An official event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC, the Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk seeks to raise awareness about the Japanese American experience during World War II and to highlight the vigilant role all citizens must play in preserving the constitutional rights of all Americans. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to see Washington, DC’s famous cherry trees in bloom.
Time:
Saturday, March 28, 2009, 10:00 a.m.
Location:
National Japanese American Memorial
Louisiana and New Jersey avenues
Metro:
Union Station (Red)
This event is held each year at the National Japanese American Memorial. It begins with a series of distinguished speakers, followed by a short, non-competitive walk to affirm our resolve to uphold the constitutional rights of all Americans. The event concludes with lively cultural performances. All walkers, runners, children, wheelchairs, and strollers will be accommodated.
This year’s keynote speaker is Francey Lim Youngberg, development consultant to the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program and one of the “25 Most Influential Minority Women in Business,” according to the Minority Business and Professional Network. Youngberg will discuss the new Japanese American internment exhibit that is being developed for the Smithsonian National American History Museum. With input from key Asian Pacific American members of Congress, the Smithsonian is exploring ways to update its original exhibition about the internment, A More Perfect Union, in light of developments since it first opened in 1987 and to reframe the internment in terms of the important constitutional issues it raises.
“The wartime internment resonates clearly for all of us living in a post 9/11 world,” National Japanese American Memorial Foundation (NJAMF) Executive Director John Kornacki explained. “Our distinguished speakers will demonstrate why the Japanese American story is fundamentally an American story.”
The Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk is free. However, donations are appreciated and will support the NJAMF’s nationwide educational and outreach efforts. Those who donate $15 or more will receive a special gift. While it is not necessary to preregister for this event, those who do will also receive a special thank-you gift at the event.
For more information, please email cherryblossomfreedomwalk@yahoo.com, call 202.503.0015, or visit www.njamf.com/freedomwalk.
You can also download the registration form here.
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