On June 1, 2025, a significant event called We Are Still Here took place at Portland's EXPO Center, formerly the Portland Assembly Center that imprisoned Japanese Americans during WWII. This event marked the conclusion of a two-week festival celebrating the legacy of the Vanport community and the Japanese American experience under incarceration. It featured various performances, art, and historical exhibits showcasing cultural diversity and sharing stories of resilience and justice. The collaborative efforts of local artists emphasized the importance of remembering these events in pursuit of social change and healing.
Those of us who came early were able to peruse several exhibits. Near the entrance were large posters describing life in the Vanport community, whose racial and cultural diversity was radical for that time.
The event, entitled We Are Still Here, reflects a collaboration between Laura Lo Forti, Co-founder and Director of Vanport Mosaic; Shohei Kobayashi, Associate Conductor of the choral group Resonance Ensemble; and Chisao Hata, Director of the Portland Assembly Center Project.
#portland-assembly-center #japanese-american-history #vanport-community #social-justice #cultural-events
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