Chinese Massacre

Chinese immigrants established their first community in Los Angeles in what is now part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. By 1870 about two hundred Chinese had settled on Los Angeles Street across from the Garnier Building, then known as Calle de Los Negros. Anti-Chinese legislation and social discrimination deeply affected Chinese American families and community life. On March 3, 1863, the California Legislature passed a statute prohibiting Asian Americans from testifying in court as witnesses or victims, leaving them without legal protection. On October 24, 1871, a dispute between two Chinese rivals over ownership rights to a female prostitute led to the accidental shooting of a Caucasian. Fueled by that incident and by general anti-Chinese sentiment, a mob of 500 locals shot, hanged, and stabbed innocent Chinese residents. Although some policemen and citizens tried to help, they could not defend the victims against the mob. At the coroner's inquest, other policemen said arresting members of the mob seemed pointless because the Chinese victims were not protected under law. In the end, nineteen Chinese living on Calle de Los Negros were murdered. In 1872, nine men were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to terms in San Quentin ranging from two to six years each. On a technicality, the California Supreme Court overruled the decision in April 1873 and released the nine men.

Los Angeles, California · United States