On August 20, 2022, exactly a year ago today, an announcement was made regarding the call for memorial proposals to honor the victims of the 1871 Chinese Massacre. This tragic event, often forgotten, involved a racially motivated attack in the old Chinatown neighborhood that resulted in the murder of at least 18 Chinese men. Those interested in submitting their ideas have until October 12 to do so.
In an effort to raise awareness of the massacre and address the current issues surrounding race, intolerance, and violence, city officials released a Request for Ideas for conceptual proposals for the memorial last Friday.
Last year, on the 150th anniversary of the massacre, Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a long-overdue apology on behalf of the city. He also expressed the need for a memorial to honor the victims in his State of the City Address.
Garcetti stated, “Our Chinese and Chinese American communities, both in the past and present, are vital components of our rich cultural heritage. The 1871 massacre of innocent lives is an indelible mark on our history, and no monument can fully erase it. However, this memorial will serve as a public commemoration of the lives lost and a powerful reminder against senseless violence within our own communities.”
The proposed ideas will undergo a thorough evaluation by a panel of experts in arts and design. From the submissions, five proposals will be selected, and the artists behind these concepts will be awarded a $15,000 stipend to further develop and present their ideas in a public forum. Ultimately, one proposal will be chosen to create the memorial.
The designated location for the memorial is the 400 block of North Los Angeles Street, close to the site of the massacre and the Chinese American Museum. Additionally, there may be secondary sites that could potentially incorporate walking or audio tours.
Councilman Kevin de León emphasized the significance of commemorating the victims of the 1871 Chinese Massacre by stating, “This event represents one of the most brutal and horrifying incidents in our city’s history. It is crucial for Los Angeles to establish a memorial that honors the lives lost and demonstrates our commitment to transparency, even when it comes to acknowledging the shameful parts of our past. We owe it to all Angelenos to truthfully confront our history, both the positive and negative aspects.”
Last year, the city organized community sessions to gather input and decided to opt for a Request for Ideas instead of a conventional Request for Proposals. This approach was chosen to ensure inclusivity and promote an open process, according to city officials.
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