 Councilmember Balducci cutting the ribbon on the NE 8th St Bridge with other community leaders in 2024
Thursday marked the Day of Remembrance, the anniversary of President Roosevelt’s signing of Executive Order 9066, which ordered the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. To honor this day, I organized a contemplative visit to the NE 8th Street bridge in Bellevue, which features art and interpretive installations that tell the stories of the Japanese American families in the Bellevue area before they were incarcerated.
Before Executive Order 9066, about 60 Japanese American families lived and worked in Bellevue, clearing land, cultivating farms, building strong community ties, and helping to lay the foundation of present-day Bellevue. After Executive Order 9066, these families lost much of their property and all of their freedom solely because they were Japanese.
I was proud to work with the Japanese American community on the Eastside to plan for and create the installations on the NE 8th Street Bridge that educate about this shared history and the individual stories of the Japanese American families that helped make Bellevue what it is, endured racism and incarceration, and left a legacy that we must learn and honor to prevent anything like it from happening again. Isan Bellevue was born out of this effort, giving us a local resource to keep these stories alive and honor the families who were foundational to forming the Eastside.
This week, we celebrate Lunar New Year, an important holiday for people from many Asian cultures, welcoming the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year on the lunisolar calendar. It’s a time for gathering with family and friends, honoring elders and ancestors, and participating in traditional food, games, and cultural activities.
To join in this celebration, you can visit the City of Kirkland’s Lunar New Year celebration next Saturday, February 28 from 2:00-4:00 PM at the Peter Kirk Community Center (352 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland). Learn about the Lunar New Year and how it’s traditionally celebrated and enjoy activities that include crafts, food, dancing, and more.
As your councilmember on the King County Council, I need to know what’s important to you. Please consider taking a short survey to share your priorities and your ideas about how we can work together to make King County a safe, welcoming place for all.
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