Anti-Chinese Union of Los Angeles

Below are excerpts from Gum Saan Journal, June 1985, Vol. VIII, No. 1, pp. 2-7.

Title of article, "An 1886 Chinese Labor Boycott in Los Angeles." Material created by E.G. Hager, G.E. Kinney and A.F. Kroll.

"In March, 1885, a Workingmen's Club was formed, in Los Angeles, later to be known as the Independent Labor Union No. I, and finally as the Anti-Chinese Union.  During the City's 4th of July parade, the Union acquired 1,271 signatures and presented the memorial to the City Council requesting the removal of Chinese  beyond the city limits, but this was ruled unconstitutional by the City Attorney. As Anti-Chinese agitation was an essential ingredient for the success of the Workingmen's Party this decision caused its disappearance from the labor scene. However, in 1886, the Los Angeles Trades and Labor Council took up the Anti-Chinese movement."

"In spite of the open disapproval of the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Trades and Labor Council, on February 27th, adopted a program covering the following restrictions. Six of the major platforms covered were:

1. To discontinue patronage of Chinese vegetable gardens and laundries, and of all establishments employing Chinese.
2. To encourage and support non-Orientals engaged in raising produce or operation of laundries, hotels, restaurants, etc., without Chinese labor.
3. To withhold patronage from individuals employing Chinese, renting or leasing property to Chinese, or selling goods manufactured by Chinese.
4. To recommend immediate replacement of all Chinese servants by white help.
5. To request the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County to send delegates to a state antin-Chinese convention summoned to meet in Sacramento on March 10.
6. To find a legal and peaceful solution to the Chinese question."

"The Los Angeles anti-Chinese movement died out almost as suddenly as it had begun. In the first place advocating the discharge of Chinese employees for whom no replacements were available posed an insoluble problem; secondly, the refusal of Chinese vegetable peddlers (almost the city's sole source of supply) to serve families who had dismissed their countrymen caused many people to forget their boycott pledges."