A diverse group of students from the International Club and the English and Foreign Languages Department led by Professors Gonzalez-Cirre and Vasquez, attended the Manzanar Committee’s 48th Annual Pilgrimage Ceremony on Saturday, April 29.

The UCLA Kyodo Taiko drummers kicked off the event, followed by the procession of the camp banner. The Pilgrimage Program also included the traditional interfaith service and Ondo dancing.

The group did a walking tour, and spent some time on the Manzanar Visitor Center where they saw the site’s award winning 22-minute film Remembering Manzanar.

“It was definitely a magnificent educational experience for us, since we got to learn not only what life was like at Manzanar but most importantly, we got to think critically by asking ourselves questions such as: How do we start to understand different life experiences?, How do we connect with the past?, and How can we stand for freedom?” said Professor Gonzalez-Cirre. “It was also great to see so many people of all ages and walks of life, but for us representing Cerro Coso Community College, and seeing so many young university students partaking in the events, was even more meaningful.”