Chinatown in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
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 in Los Angeles Street across from the Garnier Building, then known as Calle de Los Negros.
Anti-Chinese legislation and social discrimination greatly affected Chinese American families and their community life. On March 3, 1863, the California Legislature passed a statute prohibiting Asian Americans from testifying in court as witnesses or victims. The statute left them without legal protection. On October 24, 1871, a dispute between two Chinese rivals over ownership rights to a female prostitute resulted in the accidental shooting of a Caucasian. Fueled by the incident and general anti-Chinese sentiment, a mob of 500 locals shot, hung, and stabbed innocent Chinese residents.
While some policemen and citizens tried to help the residents, they could not defend the victims against the mob. At the coroner's inquest, other policemen revealed that they found it pointless to arrest members of the mob, as the Chinese victims were not protected under law. In the end, nineteen Chinese living on Calle de Los Negroes 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.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Civil Rights • Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is March 3, 1863.
Location. 34° 3.339′ N, 118° 14.344′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Chinatown. Marker is on Los Angeles Street north of U.S. 101, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 425 N Los Angeles St, Los Angeles CA 90012, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sun Wing Wo & Company (a few steps from this marker); The Garnier Building (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Garnier Building (a few steps from this marker); 425 North Los Angeles Street (a few steps from this marker); Chinese American Communities in Los Angeles (a few steps from this marker); Plaza Fire House (within shouting distance of this marker); Quintero (within shouting distance of this marker); Pico House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
Also see . . . Chinese American Museum. This museum is located near the marker, in the Garnier Building. (Submitted on September 23, 2019.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 644 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 23, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.