San José apologizes for its racist past towards the Chinese community

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City officials, including Mayor Sam Liccardo, and community leaders announced resolution of past racist acts against the Chinese community in downtown San Jose, the site of a Chinatown destroyed by arson in 1887 Part of the area was burnt down shortly after the city council declared it a public nuisance and health hazard.

“Thirty-four years ago, San Jos commemorated the tragic destruction of 2nd Market Street Chinatown a century ago – but with each new generation, we must reaffirm our commitment to justice and renew our contrition, not only for these failures but for all acts of disrespect and violence against members of our Black, Latino, Indigenous and AAPI community, ”said the Mayor of San Jos, Sam Liccardo.“ This reconciliation recognizes the mistakes of our past. city ​​and serves as a reminder to continue fighting for an inclusive society. “

The city crafted the resolution, which lists decades of racism, in close collaboration with local historians and several Chinese-American community organizations. It recognizes the five Chinatowns of San José that existed between 1866 and 1931 and recognizes the racism and xenophobia that influenced policies and actions towards the city’s Chinese community.

“The city’s apology is an act of grace,” said local historian Connie Young Yu. “As a descendant of a Chinese laborer driven from Market Street Chinatown by arson, I feel peace.”

The resolution also recognizes that “the recent increase in anti-Asian violence and racial discrimination demonstrates that xenophobia remains deeply rooted in our society.” It reads in part: “The History of San José.”

“I want to thank everyone who works for justice today, for ensuring that this is not just a reckoning of the past, but a change in our focus towards each other and towards this. community in the years to come, ”Mayor Liccardo said at a press conference Thursday. .

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