1887 Anti-Chinese Riot Remembered

TORONTO . The Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC) marked the 120th anniversary today of the anti-Chinese riot that took place in Vancouver . “We mark this anniversary today because it is part of our community’s unique history in facing the overt and often violent manifestation of racial discrimination that resulted in the Head Tax and Chinese Exclusion Act,” Sid Tan, National Chairperson of CCNC said today. “We should all take this opportunity to learn from our past mistakes, to restore dignity to the direct victims and to re-dedicate ourselves to a just society built on the foundations of respect and acceptance.”

“We are encouraged by the messages of solidarity from Hon. Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity) and the Statement in the House of Commons by Bill Siksay, M.P. for Burnaby-Douglas.”

After the 1886 Great Fire razed Vancouver , the City leased 60 hectares of forested land to some 100 Chinese. However, this was the beginning of the Head Tax era, a period of overt racial discrimination against Chinese Canadians, which was legitimized by racist legislation. Mounting racist sentiment culminated in a riot on February 23, 1887 when an angry mob of 300 assembled to run the Chinese out of town. They tore down the shanty-town near Coal Harbour and roughed up the Chinese, some of whom managed to escape harm by jumping into the frigid waters.

Two policemen invoking the name of ‘Queen Victoria ’ stood their ground in between the mob and the Chinese labourers. The mob soon retreated but set fire to buildings. The 1887 riot also sparked a prompt response from police and government officials. The BC Attorney General introduced An Act for the Preservation of Peace within the Municipal Limits of the City which removed police powers from the city and sent over thirty-six special constables from Victoria , B.C. to restore the peace. While the riot ended without any death or serious injury, it did send a clear message to the Chinese that they were not welcome and they left Vancouver for New Westminster , and some moved east to Alberta and Ontario.The Chinese did eventually return to Vancouver .

CCNC will work with partners to mark a number of important anniversaries this year:

February 23, 2007: 120 year anniversary of the Anti-Chinese Riot in Vancouver

April 17, 2007: 25 year anniversary of Charter of Rights

May 14, 2007: 60 year anniversary of repeal of Chinese Exclusion Act

June 10, 2007: 50 year anniversary of election of Douglas Jung, the first CC MP

June 22, 2007: 1 year anniversary of Chinese Head Tax apology

Canada Day, 2007: 140 years of Confederation

September 8, 2007: 100 year anniversary of Anti-Asian Riot in Vancouver

October 1, 2007: 40 years of independent immigration (points) system

CCNC recently led a delegation to Ottawa to seek inclusive redress for the head tax families who are excluded from the June 22, 2006 announcement, and will continue to work collaboratively with other redress-seeking groups to seek a just and honourable resolution of the Head Tax and Chinese Exclusion Act.

Sid Tan, CCNC National Chairperson at (604) 433-6169
Victor Wong, CCNC Executive Director at (416) 977-9871