Fresno dedicates Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial honoring Japanese internment victims

The Fresno County government meeting on February 25, 2025, focused on the significance of the Pinedale Assembly Center memorial, which commemorates the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. This meeting highlighted the historical context of the memorial, which was established to honor the over 20,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry who were forcibly removed from their homes following President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942.

More than 70% of those interned were American-born citizens. The Pinedale Assembly Center, located on the former site of the Sugar Pine Lumber Mill, served as a temporary holding facility for individuals from Sacramento and Amador Counties in California, as well as from Oregon and Washington.

The meeting also marked the significance of the memorial's groundbreaking ceremony, which took place on the 65th anniversary of the executive order in 2007. The memorial features a fountain, a historic marker, and 11 storyboards that narrate the experiences of those who were interned, ensuring that this painful chapter in American history is not forgotten.

The discussions emphasized the importance of remembrance and education regarding the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during the war, as well as the ongoing efforts to promote awareness and understanding of this historical event. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue honoring the legacy of those affected and to foster community dialogue around these issues.