Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk

11th Annual

The Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk, an official event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC, will mark its 11th year in 2009. This year’s Freedom Walk will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the National Japanese American Memorial. Check-in begins at 9:30AM and the opening ceremony begins at 10AM.

The Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk seeks to educate a new generation of Americans 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 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. Finally, the event concludes with lively cultural performances of traditional Japanese and Palestinian folk dancing. All walkers, runners, children, wheelchairs, and strollers will be accommodated.

Over 200 individuals attend the Freedom Walk each year, including dignitaries like former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta and Mayor Adrian Fenty. Former Japanese Ambassador Ryozo Kato was a regular guest speaker, and the new Ambassador, Ichiro Fujisaki, is expected to attend this year’s event.

This year’s 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. With input from key Asian Pacific American members of Congress, the Smithsonian is exploring ways to update its original exhibit 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.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Registration

There are two ways to register: electronically and by mail.

Registration is not necessary, but it helps us know how many people plan to attend. It also allows us to give you up-to-the-minute information about the event.

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Map

Click here for a map of the National Japanese American Memorial.

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Questions?

Contact us at 202-530-0015 or email us.

On the day of the event, you can reach us at 202-534-8290.

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Does it cost anything to attend the Freedom Walk?

No. However, donations are appreciated and will support the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation’s nationwide educational and outreach efforts. Those who donate at least $15 will receive a special gift at the event.

The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

If you cannot attend the Freedom Walk but are interested in making a donation, please make checks payable to NJAMF--Freedom Walk and mail your check to:

NJAMF – Freedom Walk

PO Box 3529

Washington, DC 20007

Do I need to RSVP to attend the Freedom Walk?

While it is not necessary to pre-register for this event, pre-registrations are appreciated. It lets us know how many people will be attending and helps us to plan accordingly. It also allows us to provide you with up-to-minute announcements. Those who pre-register will receive a special thank-you gift at the event.

To pre-register, either complete this form or click here to register electronically. Please be sure to indicate how many people plan to attend.

Where is the National Japanese American Memorial?

The Memorial is located at the intersection of D Street NW, Louisiana Avenue NW, and New Jersey Avenue NW in Washington, DC. It is located just a few blocks away from Union Station. Click here for a map.

How do I get there?

Train: Union Station

Metro: Union Station (Red Line)

Bus: N22 97 96 D1 D3 D6

Circulator: Union Station stop on the Georgetown-Union Station Route

Use the Metro Trip Planner -- www.wmata.com -- with “D St. NW & New Jersey Ave. NW” as your destination

To view Circulator Route Maps visit www.dccirculator.com.

Parking: The closest parking lot to this location is located at:

Central Parking

440 1st St. NW

Washington, DC 20001

How can I get more information about the Freedom Walk?

For more information, contact us at 202-530-0015 or cherryblossomfreedomwalk@yahoo.com.

On the day of the event, you can reach us at 202-534-8290.

How can I get more information about the National Japanese American Memorial and the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation?

Please visit the Foundation’s website: http://njamf.com

How can I get more information about the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American program or A More Perfect Union?

Please visit the Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American Program website www.apa.si.edu.

An on-line exhibit of "A More Perfect Union: Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution" is also available at: http://americanhistory.si.edu/perfectunion/experience/index.html