Bellingham riots
Encyclopedia
The Bellingham riots occurred on September 4, 1907, in Bellingham, Washington
, USA. A mob of 400-500 white men, predominantly members of the Asiatic Exclusion League
, with intentions to exclude East Indian
immigrants from the work force of the local lumber mills, attacked the homes of the Indians. The Indians were mostly Sikhs but were labelled as Hindu
s by much of the media of the day. The mob threw the East Indian workers into the streets, beat them, and pocketed their valuables. The authorities co-operated with the mob by corralling the beaten Indian immigrants into the City Hall, ostensibly for their safety. Six Indians were hospitalized, and 410 were held in the Bellingham Jail, reportedly under "protective custody
". No participants in the mob violence were prosecuted.
Some victims of the riots migrated to Everett, Washington
where two months later, they received similar treatment. Similar riot
s occurred during this period in Vancouver
, BC and California
.
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
, USA. A mob of 400-500 white men, predominantly members of the Asiatic Exclusion League
Asiatic Exclusion League
The Asiatic Exclusion League, often abbreviated AEL, was a racist organization formed in the early twentieth century in the United States and Canada that aimed to prevent immigration of people of East Asian origin.-United States:...
, with intentions to exclude East Indian
Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin
A Non-Resident Indian is an Indian citizen who has migrated to another country, a person of Indian origin who is born outside India, or a person of Indian origin who resides permanently outside India. Other terms with the same meaning are overseas Indian and expatriate Indian...
immigrants from the work force of the local lumber mills, attacked the homes of the Indians. The Indians were mostly Sikhs but were labelled as Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s by much of the media of the day. The mob threw the East Indian workers into the streets, beat them, and pocketed their valuables. The authorities co-operated with the mob by corralling the beaten Indian immigrants into the City Hall, ostensibly for their safety. Six Indians were hospitalized, and 410 were held in the Bellingham Jail, reportedly under "protective custody
Protective custody
Protective custody is a type of imprisonment to protect a prisoner from harm, either from outside sources or other prisoners. Many administrators believe the level of violence, or the underlying threat of violence within prisoners, is a chief factor causing the need for PC units...
". No participants in the mob violence were prosecuted.
Some victims of the riots migrated to Everett, Washington
Everett, Washington
Everett is the county seat of and the largest city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. Named for Everett Colby, son of founder Charles L. Colby, it lies north of Seattle. The city had a total population of 103,019 at the 2010 census, making it the 6th largest in the state and...
where two months later, they received similar treatment. Similar riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
s occurred during this period in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, BC and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.