Councilmember Licata Introduces Resolution Expressing Seattle’s Regret for Historical Anti-Chinese Legislation

Home » Councilmember Licata Introduces Resolution Expressing Seattle’s Regret for Historical Anti-Chinese Legislation

City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7/28/2015

Councilmember Licata Introduces Resolution Expressing Seattle’s Regret for Historical Anti-Chinese Legislation

SEATTLE – Council’s Finance and Culture Committee will consider a resolution introduced by Councilmember Nick Licata Wednesday afternoon that expresses regret for anti-Chinese legislation passed by the Washington Territory and previous Seattle City Councils in the 1800s. The resolution also recognizes the past and continuing contributions of the Chinese to Seattle and reaffirms the City’s commitment to the civil rights of all people.

As a result of discriminatory legislation adopted by the Washington Territory, Chinese people were denied the right to vote, prohibited from giving evidence in the courts in cases involving Caucasians, and denied the right to own land. Three Seattle ordinances passed in 1885 were targeted against Chinese-Americans.

Councilmember Licata sponsored the resolution after he was approached by the Greater Seattle Chapter of the OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates, and the local chapter of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance.

The Finance & Culture Committee is expected to vote on the resolution at Wednesday’s meeting for Full Council consideration on Monday, August 3.

WHAT:  
Finance & Culture Committee’s consideration of a resolution expressing regret for historical Anti-Chinese legislation

WHEN:
Wednesday, July 29
2:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Seattle City Hall
Council Chambers, Second Floor
600 4th Ave., Seattle 98104

WHO:
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Public

# # #

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council’s website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

[View in Council Newsroom]