Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk in Washington, DC

The annual Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk kicks off the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC with a historical and cultural activity which seeks to raise awareness about the Japanese American experience during World War II. The walk also highlights the vigilant role everyone must play in upholding the constitutional rights of all Americans. Over 200 individuals attend the Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk each year, including dignitaries like former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta and D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty. The non-competitive walk affirms our resolve to uphold the constitutional rights of all Americans. The event concludes with lively cultural performances of traditional Japanese and Palestinian folk dancing.

Date and Time: Saturday, March 28, 2009. Check-in starts at 9:30 a.m. Opening ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Rain or shine.

Location: National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism, located at the intersection of Louisiana and New Jersey Avenues and D Street NW Washington, DC. The closest Metro station is Union Station.

Registration: Not required, but appreciated. Visit the Freedom Walk website or call (202) 530-0015.

The 2009 keynote speaker will be Francey 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. Francey will discuss the new Japanese American internment exhibit that is being developed for the Smithsonian National American History Museum.


About the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation (NJAMF)
The nonprofit organization is dedicated to education and public awareness about the Japanese American experience during World War II. NJAMF raised the private funds to build the Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism during World War II. The Memorial is not only a monument to the Japanese American experience, but also a reminder that we must not allow anything like this to happen to any minority community again. For more information, visit www.njam.org