Damage done by the Asiatic Exclusion League to the store of V. Kawasaki Bros September 1907
Citation: Damage done by the Asiatic Exclusion League to the store of V. Kawasaki Bros September 1907. Photograph. Library and Archives Canada, Item number 3193210. https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/Recordapp=FonAndCol&idNumber=3193210 &ecopy=c023555
On Sep. 7, 1907, thousands of people gathered in front of Vancouver City Hall to protest against Asian immigrants in Canada. The protest started out as a peaceful protest, but soon after, protesters holding placards with slogans such as "For a White Canada" headed to Vancouver's Chinatown, which quickly turned into a riot. The demonstrators were members of the Asian Exclusion League, which damaged Chinese-owned businesses and houses, forcing the Chinese to evacuate to other areas. Not only were the Chinese but also the Japanese community suffered significant damage in the riot. The devastating riot lasted for two days and left Asian communities with considerable fear, as well as economic losses, and left irreparable scars on the Asian immigrant community. The picture above is a historical artifact that starkly shows the horror atmosphere of the time and the violence of the riots. In the picture, the front window of the store is written in Chinese, and the other side's windows can be seen broken.
Bibliography: BC Labour Heritage Centre. “The Asiatic Exclusion League Riot, 1907.” May 23, 2018. https://www.labourheritagecentre.ca/asiatic-exclusion-league-riot-1907/
Citation: Diaries of William Lyon Mackenzie King 1908. Document (diary). Library and Archives Canada, Item number 3382. https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/Recordapp=diawlmking&IdNumber=3382&q=Vancouver%20riots&ecopy=D0003L2J
The document was written by William Lyon Mackenzie King in 1908, and is about the situation after the Vancouver riots of 1907. The document has significant historical implications for racial tensions in Canadian society at the time, and for the changing relationship between Canadian society and Asian immigrant communities. In particular, it shows examples of Canadian government attempts to compensate Japanese residents affected by violence caused by xenophobia riots. The correspondence between William Lyon Mackenzie King and Japanese Consul M. Kiyoshi Morikawa shows the situation in Canada, which has sought to maintain diplomatic relations with Japan while also managing racial hostility within the country. The $9,036 payment in compensation for damages caused by the riots was the earliest of government-led reparations, But its scope was very limited. This response was only used as a tool to maintain international friendship without addressing systemic racism within the country. This document, showing about insufficient reparations, systemic discrimination, and inadequate protection of minorities at the time and provides important insights into the roots of Canadian multicultural policy.
Bibliography: Diaries of William Lyon Mackenzie King 1908. Document (diary). Library and Archives Canada, Item number 3382. https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/Recordapp=diawlmking&IdNumber=3382&q=Vancouver%20riots&ecopy=D0003L2J