View Content #979
| Contentid | 979 |
|---|---|
| Content Type | 1 |
| Title | OCA COMMEMORATES 60TH ANNIVERSARY REPEAL OF CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT |
| Body | From: "Anselmo Villanueva" Washington, DC -- The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), a national Asian Pacific American (APA) civil rights advocacy and educational organization with over 80 chapters and affiliates nationwide, wishes to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the repeal of passage of the law excluding Chinese from immigrating to the United States. Immigrants from Asia have had a long history of discrimination in the United States, since the first Chinese came to the United States in the early 1800s and throughout the California Gold Rush in the 1840s and 1850s. After the Gold Rush, Chinese immigrants filled the need for labor in western railroad and industrial development projects. However, widespread resentment grew towards the Chinese as the numbers steadily rose and as the country entered a period of economic depression. In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which suspended further immigration of laborers from China and also stated that Chinese were not able to become naturalized U.S. citizens. This was only the first of several laws excluding immigration from China and eventually, all Asian countries. The law was repealed on December 17, 1943, when persons of Chinese descent were allowed to enter the United States and also become naturalized citizens. As Asian Pacific Americans, it is important that we remember the discrimination that our ancestors faced when they attempted to come to the United States and as they tried to build a life for themselves here, said Raymond Wong, OCA National President. The anniversary of the repeal of Chinese Exclusion allows us to commemorate the end of official legal discrimination against persons of Asian descent to the United States. As we observe this anniversary and reflect on how far we have come as a community, it is also crucial that we recognize the obstacles that we still face, said Christine Chen, OCA Executive Director. Even after the repeal of the exclusion acts, Asian Pacific Americans have endured discrimination, whether in the form of persecution during the McCarthy era, or through racial profiling. This is why OCA continues to commit itself to this mission of dispelling stereotypes and working towards racial harmony. ------------------------------ About OCA Founded in 1973, the Organization of Chinese Americans is a national civil rights advocacy and educational organization dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Americans of Chinese and Asian/Pacific Islander descent. With over 80 chapters and affiliates across the country, it maintains its headquarters in Washington, D.C. Organization of Chinese Americans 1001 Connecticut Ave., NW #601 Washington, DC 20036 Tel: 202-223-5500 Fax: 202-296-0540 www.ocanatl.org |
| Source | OCA |
| Inputdate | 2003-12-22 11:04:00 |
| Lastmodifieddate | 2003-12-22 11:04:00 |
| Expdate | Not set |
| Publishdate | Not set |
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| Active | 1 |
| Emailed | 1 |
| Isarchived | 1 |
