Americans of Japanese descent gathered at Santa Anita Park yesterday to reflect on the dark period of history when Santa Anita Park was the largest assembly center for interned Japanese-Americans. Nearly 20,000 were processed at Santa Anita Park and sent to internment camps. Several people who were once incarcerated at Santa Anita Park were among those who gathered there at the Cherry Blossom Festival Southern California's 11th Annual Camp Stories Award Show and Auction.
Arcadia Library presents Japanese Artist's Journey. The life and legacy of artist J.T. Sata will be the subject of a virtual program on October 10, presented by Arcadia Public Library in partnership with Japanese American National Museum. The book J.T. Sata: a Japanese Immigrant in Search of Western Art will be discussed by authors Frank Sata (son of J.T. Sata) and Naomi Hirahara. (J.T. Sata and family were imprisoned at Santa Anita Assembly Center during World War II).
How Arcadia gained a rare piece of history. Riyo Sato was a developing artist by the time she was sent to the Santa Anita Assembly Center at Santa Anita Park, in 1942, before being transferred to Wyoming, to a different detention facility called “Heart Mountain.” She left behind sketches of Santa Anita Park which will be displayed at the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage.
Interview with author Brad Pearson who wrote the book The Eagles of Heart Mountain. He tackles the injustice of Japanese-American incarceration through the exploits of a World War II camp football team. Article mentions many evacuees were detained at Santa Anita racetrack in Arcadia before being shipped out.
Life interrupted: personal sketches behind barbed wire, Santa Anita, Summer 1942, Riyo Sato (1913-2009). The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage will be displaying Riyo Sato's sketches September 14-November 2, 2013.
Personal sketches behind barbed wire--Riyo Sato (1913-2009) will be on exhibit at Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage from September 14 through November 2, 2013. Riyo Sato was interned at Santa Anita Assembly Center.
Rise of anti-Asian racism during the pandemic. "Skyrocketing spike" of anti-Asian violence says President Joe Biden. After a white gunman was charged with killing 8 people, 6 of whom were Asian, at 3 Atlanta-area spas, President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris condemn violence against Asian-Americans. People in the San Gabriel Valley are rallying to "Stop Asian Hate."
World War II internees reunite. Japanese Americans detained at Santa Anita Park before being sent to camps share photos, memories and friendship, at 75th anniversary event in Little Tokyo. See hard copy in VF Assembly Center.