Celebrating the March First Korean Independence Movement
On March 1, KAAGNY held its annual event to celebrate the 102nd Anniversary of the March First Korean Independence Movement.
The March First Movement (삼일운동) of 1919 was comprised of a series of grass-roots demonstrations of peaceful protest for Korean sovereignty from imperial rule. It was the largest uprising against Japanese rule during the colonial period.
Local elected officials, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Congresswoman Grace Meng, and Congressman Andy Kim gave video messages to celebrate the holiday.
“We observe the March First Independence Movement in unprecedented times, but this commemoration is also a reminder of what we can accomplish if we remain resilient in the face of adversity,” Senate Majority Leader Schumer said. “Every day that I serve as Majority Leader, I will fight for New York’s Korean American community. The more Koreans we have in New York, the stronger we are, and I want to make sure that your voices are heard in Washington.”
KAAGNY honored the Gwangbok Association of New York at the event for their dedication to preserving the legacy of Korean independence fighters. The event also featured a video tour of historic sites in New York City where important moments in Korean and Korean American history took place, including the final resting place of the Korean activist Earl K. Whang (황기한).
