Tonight, we turn to one of the darkest nights in Los Angeles history, October 24, 1871. On that night, a mob of hundreds stormed through Chinatown and lynched at least eighteen Chinese immigrants. The victims were doctors, shopkeepers, and laborers, dragged from their homes and executed in the streets.
This was not a random act of violence. It was the result of years of rising hatred, fear, and resentment aimed at a community that helped build the city itself. The massacre shocked the nation but led to few consequences for those responsible.
In this episode, we’ll uncover what led to that night, what happened in its aftermath, and how the event has been remembered, forgotten, and rediscovered in the long story of America’s struggle with race and justice.
