Survivors of America’s Japanese internment camps for nearly a decade have held an annual prayer ceremony and commemoration to remind people of the dark chapter of history. This year brought a twist as organizers staged the memorial in front of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement buildi ng in San Francisco. “Very easy to forget if they don’t have it in their mind, said Hiroshi Shimizu, an internment survivor who participated in Wednesday’s memorial. “And if you were born any time after that it’s just not there for you because it’s not a part of American history.” At one point during Wednesday’s event, nearly 200 people paraded in silence, holding signs with an array of messages marking the Day of Remembrance for those held at U.S. internment camps during World War II. San Francisco Feb 4 Pro-ICE billboards in San Francisco's Embarcadero removed San Francisco Aug 28, 2025 At least 13 migrants detained by ICE in San Francisco as arrests soar San Francisco Aug 20, 2025 Protesters, ICE agents clash outside San Francisco immigration court Men and women who were held at the internment camps also participated in the event. Shimizu was born at a U.S. internment camp in Topaz, Utah. In February 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt issued a presidential order invoking the Alien Enemies Act. About 120,000 people of Japanese descent were forcibly held in 10 war relocation camps across the country. Organizers of Wednesday’s event said they believe history is repeating itself. They point out President Donald Trump is invoking the same law to justify wide ranging detentions of people today. “Families are terrified. Some have already been taken,” Alameda United Methodist Church Pastor Vathenak Heang said. “Children go to school wondering if their parents will still be home when they return — how horrible.” Over the last year, several people have been unexpectedly taken into ICE custody as they show up for routine immigration appointments or hearings. As part of Wednesday’s event, demonstrators listed the names of some of those detained recently. Organizers of Wednesday’s event also urged local leaders to continue their opposition of the the administration’s immigration efforts. The organizers also delivered a petition to San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, calling on him to continue honoring the city’s sanctuary ordinance against cooperating with immigration agents. ...read more read less