The video tudung lucahChinese American Museum will commemorate the Los Angeles Chinese Massacre of 1871 on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. at Pico House, 424 N. Main St., Los Angeles.
The program will be held online and in-person.
The annual observance marks 153 years since Oct. 24, 1871, when a racially motivated mob of 500 Angelenos stormed into a predominantly Chinese section of L.A., assaulting residents and looting homes and businesses. The violence claimed the lives of 18 victims, including a young boy. Although eight perpetrators were convicted for their involvement in the attacks, the convictions were overturned a year later.
This tragic event occurred on the doorsteps of what is now the Chinese American Museum. Since 2010, CAM has annually observed Oct. 24 as a significant date in American history. On this day, CAM will continue to acknowledge the past while providing a safe space for reflection and dialogue on contemporary issues surrounding race and xenophobia.
Friends of the Chinese American Museum Board Chair, Dr. Gay Yuen will lead the candlelight vigil, which will be followed by a traditional Chinese bowing ceremony.
The program will also feature remarks from keynote speaker Paula Yoo, author of the award-winning book “From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin.” Yoo, who is also a TV writer and producer, musician and journalist, will examine America’s history of racial violence and discrimination and how we can learn from the past to navigate today’s tense social climate.
Other scheduled speakers include Mayor Karen Bass, Assemblymember Mike Fong, and Rep. Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Register here: http://camla.org/1871commemoration