The Puyallup Valley Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League is strongly involved with educational programs and social justice. On August 30, 2024, we opened the Remembrance Gallery to the public. Located at the Washington State Fair, the brings awareness to the history of the fairgrounds when they were known as the “Puyallup Assembly Center” (PAC), the largest temporary American concentration camp in Washington State. Through inclusive and comprehensive information, personal stories, and examples of everyday camp life, the Remembrance Gallery encourages an inclusive understanding of the wrongful incarceration of 125,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans in the United States during WWII.

The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational, and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.

Our Mission

The Japanese American Citizens League is a national membership-based organization and a 501 (c)3 non-profit. Their mission is to advocate and safeguard the civil and human rights of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and all communities who are affected by injustice and bigotry. The Puyallup Valley Chapter (also includes the former White River Valley Chpt) is part of the Pacific Northwest District of the JACL.

The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American Community. Puyallup Valley is also focused on education of the wartime incarceration of our communities.