A commemoration for the 83rd anniversary of the forced removal of Japanese Americans from Bainbridge Island will occur March 30 from 11 a.m. to noon at the BI Japanese American Exclusion Memorial.

The historic site marks the former ferry dock where the first of more than 120,000 people of Japanese descent—two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens—were forcibly removed from their homes and sent to American concentration camps during World War II, a news release states. Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Feb. 19, 1942, authorized the detention.

“This year’s theme, ‘A Place to Call Home,’ reflects the crucial role that friends and neighbors play in fostering a culture of acceptance,” the release says. “Bainbridge Island had the highest percentage of incarcerated residents return to their homes after the war – what made the difference?”

Speakers include Karen Beierle, BIJAEMA board member and BI resident for over 60 years; Debra Grindeland, Kitamoto family yonsei, BIJAC officer and Woodward Middle School math teacher; BI City Councilmember Clarence Moriwaki; BIJAEMA executive director Ellen Sato Faust; District 23 state Rep. Greg Nance; and Elilai Abraham of the Suquamish Tribe.