Law Practice
Jan. 28, 2022
Massacre in Los Angeles’ Old Chinatown
In 1871, 10% of Los Angeles’ Chinese population were murdered by white rioters. Civic leaders blamed drifters and other low rabble, but the legal system failed, too.
John S. Caragozian
Email: caragozian@gmail.com
John is a Los Angeles-based lawyer and sits on the Board of the California Supreme Court Historical Society. He welcomes ideas for future monthly columns on California's legal history at caragozian@gmail.com.
In 1871, 10% of Los Angeles' Chinese population were murdered by white rioters. Civic leaders blamed drifters and other low rabble, but the legal system failed, too. California's courts ultimately rejected all efforts to hold anyone criminally or civilly responsible.
Chinese immigrants were among the tens of thousands of prospective miners who sailed into San Francisco during the 1849 gold rush. Facing discrimination and violence as miners,...
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