The Chinese Expulsion Remembrance Project

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www.iexaminer.org/news/features/history-making-chinese-expulsion-remembrance/ History In Our Making: The Chinese Expulsion Remembrance Project Go back in time about 125 years ago. It’s between 1885 – 1886 in the Puget Sound region. In Tacoma, Seattle, and Bellingham, white “native” rioters force Chinese immigrants to flee their homes because of competition for jobs and the economic downturn. Chinese immigrants suffered discrimination on an unprecedented scale that engulfed the entire region. In Bellingham, media and civic leaders gave the Chinese a deadline of November 1, 1885 to permanently leave the area. The reason for the expulsion, which has relevance in today’s economic and anti-immigration climate: the Chinese immigrants were perceived to be taking away jobs from the majority. In an effort to preserve the economic supremacy of the majority in the region, white leaders organized an all-encompassing plan to rid the area of Chinese immigrants. The exact number of Chinese expelled is unknown, but it is estimated that 200 Chinese in Seattle (a significant number in the region during that time) were forced to leave on ships bound for China, leaving 150 Chinese immigrants stranded in the area.

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www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/11/07/1706386/project-seeks-reflection-on-expulsion.html Project reflects on expulsion of Chinese from Whatcom County 125 years ago

On this evening, 125 years ago, the residents of what would one day be Bellingham gathered in celebration.

They marched in a torchlight parade, listened to speakers that included the mayor, heard songs by the glee club and watched a fireworks display.

The reason for their merriment was noted in the Nov. 6, 1885, edition of the Whatcom Reveille, which had invited residents to the Nov. 7 gathering.

The Chinese are gone. We rejoice. Every person who rejoices in the exit of the Mongolian serfs and coolies is cordially invited," read that edition of the weekly newspaper.