Portland, Oregon—On June 1, 2025, Portland’s EXPO Center, formerly known as the Portland Assembly Center, became a site of reflection and remembrance for nearly 4,000 Japanese and Japanese American individuals who were incarcerated there in the summer of 1942. This event was the culmination of a two-week festival celebrating the diverse community of Vanport and the historical experiences of Japanese Americans during World War II.
The event, titled “We Are Still Here,” was a collaborative effort led by several prominent figures, including 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.
The festivities featured a range of artistic expressions, including art exhibits, concert performances, and panels highlighting oral histories. The main event in Hall A showcased a tapestry of music, poetry, storytelling, dance, and choral singing performed by the renowned Resonance Ensemble, known for their dedication to social justice and healing through the arts.
Attendees who arrived early had the opportunity to explore several impactful exhibits. Near the entrance, large posters provided insights into life within the radical racial and cultural diversity of the Vanport community. One exhibit showcased a middle-school project where students researched individual Japanese Americans incarcerated in the Assembly Center, posting their pictures alongside biographical details.
As patrons wandered further, they discovered informative displays detailing pivotal historical events, such as President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced removal of over 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry. A map illustrating the locations of the ten internment camps and sixteen temporary holding centers accompanied these educational materials. Notably, critical vocabulary used during that era was examined, with terms like “incarceration” and “forced removal” emphasized as more accurate descriptors than the euphemistic “internment.”
One thought-provoking poster entitled “This is an Oregon Story” highlighted the complicity of Oregonians in the decision to incarcerate Japanese Americans, revealing the role of racism and social exploitation in these actions. Few stood up for the affected individuals, showcasing the broader societal issues at play during that time.
Central to the room was a collection of bonsai and miniature pines, providing a serene ambiance alongside an information table featuring books for sale. Among them was “They Never Asked,” published by the Oregon State University Press, a book of senryū poetry reflecting the thoughts and feelings of incarcerated poets. Some of these poems were recited during the concert, giving voice to the emotional plight of those living under inhumane conditions.
The concert began with a powerful “Opening Call” from the Great Spirit Drum Circle, serving as an announcement for the day’s proceedings. Chisao Hata shared a mission statement emphasizing that “remembering is an act of resistance” and highlighted the significance of the Portland Assembly Center Project in uniting storytellers, artists, musicians, and poets to raise awareness about this crucial chapter in American history.
The first part of the program, titled “Displacement and Memory,” featured the Resonance Ensemble performing Caroline Shaw’s poignant piece,
image source from：orartswatch
