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Day of Remembrance: 80 years since Japanese American farmers were forcibly removed from Pike Place Market

Posted February 23, 2022

Japanese Americans at the Market

This week marks the 80th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, the racially-targeted presidential order that unlawfully incarcerated over 120,000 Japanese American individuals in prison camps across the western United States.

Before the 1942 Executive Order, over 75% of Pike Place Market farmers were Japanese. These family farmers were forced off their land, out of our city, and never returned to sell at Pike Place. It is with sincere regret that the Market didn’t do more to keep these farmers safe in their community. 

Today, the Market Foundation honors the Japanese community who combated racist practices and helped develop Pike Place Market into one of the most renowned public markets in the country. Going forward, we remain fully committed to dismantling barriers, promoting stability, and centering equity so that every member of our community has the opportunity to live healthy, vibrant lives.

To learn more and take part in recognizing Day of Remembrance:


Photo courtesy of Densho: The Japanese American Legacy Project. “Stall at the Public Market” (ddr-densho-34-123) Densho, Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community Collection.

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