Saying the time for an apology is now, Los Angeles Supervisor Michael Antonovich today introduced a resolution calling on Congress to formally apology for the Chinese Exclusion Act, reports the Daily Bulletin.
Both houses have passed resolutions expressing regret for the Exclusion Act of 1882, but have never apologized.
“Official apologies have been made to the Japanese, the Hawaiians and African-Americans for past injustices,” Antonovich said in an email. “It is only fair that the Chinese now be given equal treatment, as they have suffered similar denial of civil rights, persecution and legitimized racial discrimination as other minority groups that received congressional apologies.”
The Act was the first law enacted in the U.S. restricting immigration to the U.S.
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce is supporting the resolution.
“This will teach new generations that if they make a mistake, they can make a change and not do it again,” Chamber president Chester Chong said.
But not everyone agrees. You can read more about the debate in the Daily Bulletin.
