Please join us at a community press conference to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. The purpose of this Press Conference is to recognize the landmark repeal decision and to protect the civil rights of Chinese Americans so that this exclusionary history will not be repeated.
Date: Saturday, December 16
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm
Location: Chinese American Museum of Chicago
238 West 23rd Street, Chicago, Illinois 60616
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 barred Chinese immigration and naturalization solely based on their race and national origin. The law denied Chinese workers’ legal entry into the United States and greatly impeded the assimilation and delayed the formation of Chinese American families and communities for over 60 years. President Franklin D. Roosevelt repealed the exclusionary act in 1943 when the United States and China were allies during World War II.
While we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the repeal, Chinese Americans today are again facing increased discriminatory policies including alien land laws and racial profiling against scientists and researchers as the result of worsening US-China relations. Against the backdrop of rising “anti-Asian sentiment” in the United States and the strained relations between the U.S. and China, this press conference holds special significance.
Please join us to commemorate the history, recognize the significant progress in equal rights, and reaffirm our commitment to equality and justice for all Americans.
