Vancouver historian, author looks at anti-Asian riots of 1907

A Vancouver historian has created a unique way of exploring the city’s past and the anti-Asian riots of 1907.

Henry Tsang, the author of White Riot: The 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver, says he was in his 20s when he first learned about a dark chapter in Vancouver’s history.

“When I came across this, I was going, ‘well, how come we weren’t taught this in school?’ Not just because I’m Asian, but because I want to be aware of this place I live,” Tsang said.

Henry Tsang, the author of White Riot: The 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver. (Monika Gul, CityNews Image)

This eventually prompted the artist to spread awareness about the riots, first in 2019 with the launch of an interactive website, and then his book which was released earlier this month.

Related article: History repeating: A new book revisits Vancouver’s long history of anti-Asian racism

Some of the areas that were affected are highlighted on his website, which allows people to take a self-guided tour of the route of the riots.

“If you have the privilege of calling Vancouver your home, I think it’s really important to understand how Vancouver got to be the way it is now and that things weren’t always the same,” he said.

Henry Tsang, the author of White Riot: The 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver. (Monika Gul, CityNews Image)

The riots saw thousands of people violently storm through Vancouver’s Chinese and Japanese-populated neighborhoods, in protest against Asian immigration.

It was organized by the Asiatic Exclusion League, and the riots destroyed homes and shops owned by Asian Canadians.

“Angry people went down Market Alley, just right behind Market Hall here, where City Hall was, to attack the Chinese — and that’s when the riots started,” Tsang explained.

Henry Tsang, the author of White Riot: The 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver. (Monika Gul, CityNews Image)

Tsang says the violence lasted for two days and finally ended near Oppenheimer Park.

“A few men, white men, went down to try to set fire to the Japanese language school. They were unsuccessful, partially because it was pouring rain. So that was one of the reasons why the riots finally died down,” he said.

Henry Tsang, the author of White Riot: The 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver. (Monika Gul, CityNews Image)

He says a Royal Commission into the riots was ordered which involved a decision into what Asian Canadians were owed because of the damage. The city also banned the Asiatic Exclusion League from organizing any other public events.

Their goals, however, were effectively met in the following years as changes to laws meant immigration from Asian countries dropped.

Tsang says it’s important to spread awareness about what happened, noting that racism is still alive and well today.

“Until we start to be a bit more vigilant…and careful about making a difference…We can’t grow as a society.”