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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Los Angeles residents and city officials held a downtown candlelight vigil Monday night to commemorate the 17 innocent Chinese killed during the Chinatown Massacre that occurred 145 years ago.
"We need to make sure that their lives are never forgotten," Federal Congresswoman Judy Chu told Xinhua. "We must make sure that our voices are always heard, and our hard-fought gains in civil rights must be maintained."
On the evening of Oct. 24, 1871, one of the largest mass lynchings in American history occurred. A mob of about 500 Angelenos entered Los Angeles' Chinatown, looted the residents' houses and stores and assaulted every Chinese person they saw. Within five hours, they had tortured, shot and hanged 17 Chinese residents.
To pay tribute to the victims of this massacre, a wreath-laying ceremony was also held Monday night at the massacre site, namely Los Angeles Street and Arcadia Street in the city's downtown.
All attendees bowed three times at the wreath, following the traditional Chinese funeral etiquette.
The Chinese American Museum, the organizer of the event, emphasized in an announcement that the anniversary vigil is held not only to commemorate those who were killed during the Chinatown Massacre, but also to serve as a warning for future generations, highlighting the importance of racial harmony.
"The clashes between the police and the African American community are very similar to what we (Chinese) had in the past," said Shulan Zheng, honorary president of the Chinese American Museum.
"The only way for this society to move forward is to respect each racial group and to live in harmony."
