The celebration of the 96th anniversary of the Independence Movement was held in major cities in America including Orange San Diego (OC), Atlanta, and Seattle and organized by each municipal chapter to commemorate the patriotic martyrs who resisted and fought the Japanese oppression to gain independence. 

The Orange San Diego Municipal Chapter (Head: Kwon Suk-dae) led the prayer wishing for peaceful national unification last March 1 at Calvary Mission Church, where 100 people gathered including NUAC members in the city and overseas Koreans. After the sermon by Rev. Kim Ki-dong (chairman of the National Council of Churches), Rev. Min Seung-ki prayed on behalf of the attendees; this was followed by a special lecture by Rev. Shim Sang-eun. Special prayers were given by Rev. Park Yong-deok, Lee Ho-wu, and Kim Young-chan under the themes “Sprit of Independence Movement Day and Peaceful Unification,” “Safety of North Korean Refugees and Improving the Human Rights in North Korea,” and “Identification of Korean Immigration Society.”

Just as our forefathers were at the forefront of the independence movement with their blood, tears, and sacrifice, let’s commit ourselves to achieving peaceful unification of our fatherland in the era we are living in,” Kwon said.

After the prayer meeting, a mini-concert was held following its introduction by Yoon Woo-kyung, chairperson of the OC Christian Laypersons Association. The US$2,000 collected at the prayer meeting was donated to the relief organization for North Korea.

The Atlanta Municipal Chapter (Head: Lee Sang-yong) of NUAC celebrated the 96th Anniversary of the Independence Movement (March 1) jointly with the Korean Association of Atlanta (chairman: Oh Young-rok) on March 1 at the Korea Center in the city, with 150 people attending including Korean society leaders and NUAC members. Kim Seong-jin, Korean Consul General to Atlanta, read a presidential commemorative speech on behalf of President Park Geun-hye. NUAC Council

Member Moon Dae-young (also the chairman of the US East South Region Association of Patriots and Veterans of Korea who Participated in the Vietnam War) read the Declaration of Independence. 

Meanwhile, the Seattle Municipal Chapter (Head: Lee Susan) of NUAC held a special prayer meeting on March 1 at New Church of Federal Way for the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula in celebration of the Independence Movement Day.