On the evening of October 24, the Chinese American Museum hosted a memorial event to commemorate the 1871 Los Angeles Chinatown Massacre. This somber gathering featured wreath-laying, a candle-lit procession, and the ringing of singing bowls, paying tribute to the 18 victims of this tragic event. The ceremony, which has been held annually since 2010, drew around a hundred attendees and was streamed live online.
The massacre occurred 153 years ago, when approximately 500 rioters launched an indiscriminate attack on Chinese individuals outside the museum’s current site, ransacking homes and businesses and resulting in the deaths of 18 Chinese people, including a young boy. Although eight perpetrators were convicted, their sentences were overturned a year later, denying justice to the victims.
During her speech, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu reflected on this painful chapter in American history, identifying it as one of the largest lynchings in the nation’s past that remains largely unknown. She emphasized the need to remain vigilant against any form of racial prejudice and exclusionary behavior, which has been especially pertinent during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the Asian American community has faced over 15,000 hate incidents since 2020. Chu urged for solidarity across ethnic groups to ensure that no one is discriminated against or persecuted based on their background.
California Assemblymember Mike Fong highlighted the importance of confronting ignorance, prejudice, and violence to prevent history from repeating itself. He introduced Assembly Bill 1354, which was signed into law last year, mandating the inclusion of Asian American and Pacific Islander histories in the California K-12 educational curriculum, thereby educating the younger generation about the contributions of the Asian Pacific community to California and the nation.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reinforced this message, noting the persistence of politicians using exclusionary policies as central campaign themes. She asserted that Los Angeles will not tolerate any form of hatred, prejudice, or violence and vowed to stand united with the Asian Pacific community to foster a compassionate and inclusive city.
Robert Sausedo, President and CEO of Community Build Inc., read the names of the 18 victims aloud. Dr. Gay Q. Yuen, Chair of the Friends of the Chinese American Museum Board, pointed out that these names, derived from English newspapers and court records, might only be nicknames or incomplete identifiers, failing to capture the true identities of the victims. This anonymity, she noted, is a significant sorrow in traditional Chinese culture. She called for respect for these names and for recognition of the heavy significance of this history.
Award-winning author Paula Yoo, known for her book “From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin,” was invited to deliver a speech discussing issues of racial violence and discrimination in American society. Additionally, the event included a performance of “Never Forget: 1871,” a suite composed by Nathan Wang. Michael Truong, the museum director, hosted the memorial, expressing gratitude to all speakers and staff, while underscoring the importance of remembering this history to promote a future free from hate and fear.
