CACA (Chinese American Citizens Alliance) Grand President Carolyn H. Chan and Washington, D.C. Lodge President Ted Gong urge your consideration to take action and sign the petition created on the White House website requesting a Presidential statement or proclamation to recognize the harm of the Chinese Exclusion Laws and their impact and significance to Chinese Americans today. Please take action by April 20 to meet the goal of 100,000 signatures.
A political cartoon from 1882, showing a Chinese man being barred entry to the “Golden Gate of Liberty”. The caption reads, “We must draw the line somewhere, you know.” (from wikipedia.com)
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Friends: Please sign a petition asking the President to apologize for the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act and related laws. Go to http://wh.gov/ssMz
These laws were important and continue to be significant today. They singled out the Chinese for exclusion and led to the “Asiatic Barred Zone” that exlcuded all Asians. As importantly, they established the adversarial and confrontational style and policies of the immigration laws we now have. We would like the President to issue a statement or proclamation on May 10 to recognize the harm of these laws and their continuing significance today. May 10 is the anniversary of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. |
Over 5,000 Chinese workers contributed to it, yet not a single Chinese person was included in the photo that marked its completion. By the President making a statement on May 10, the Chinese place in the history of America can be restored. As importantly, we reinforce the idea of America being built by immigrants from all countries (China and Ireland included).
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This is being discussed with White House staffers now. A surge of support expressed in this petition would help our effort. We need 100,000 signatures by April 20!
Go to http://wh.gov/ssMz and sign on. Tell your friends to do the same. 1044 Stockton St. San Francisco, CA. |