City, Denver’s Chinese community Remove Anti-Chinese Historical Marker

City, Denver's Chinese community Remove Anti-Chinese Historical Marker

Published on August 08, 2022

Mayor Michael B. Hancock and the Mayor's Office of Social Equity and Innovation joined community members and some of Denver's historic Chinese community families today to remove an anti-Chinese plaque from a building in the heart of LoDo at the corner of 20th and Blake.

"Today's plaque removal marks another step toward reconciliation and righting the terrible wrongs that were committed in the past against our Asian American community," Mayor Hancock said. "We hope this serves not only as a reminder, but as a commitment that we will continue bridging the gap for all residents who face injustice, and that Denver will not accept nor tolerate discrimination in any form."

The plaque removal served as a follow-up to Denver's official apology to the Chinese community earlier this year for the anti-Chinese riot that took place on October 31, 1880, as well as other racist and discriminatory actions toward Asian American and Pacific Islander communities that lived nearby in subsequent years.

"Removing this historically inaccurate and harmful plaque is a physical manifestation of the ongoing work the city is pursuing to ensure our residents experience true equity and justice," Dr. Aisha Rousseau, Denver's Chief Equity Officer said. "Our work does not end until race and other social identities no longer predict one's outcome and the Mayor's Office of Social Equity and Innovation is proud to ensure this marker came down and will soon be replaced with one that more accurately reflects history."

"For the Colorado Asian Pacific American Community, removing the plaque is a significant event for it eliminates a misleading narrative about Denver's historic Chinatown that has stigmatized the Chinese people then and now," Dr. William Wei, Colorado Asian Pacific United. "Removing the plaque is a significant step in achieving Denver's goal of equity, diversity and inclusion."

Dr. Rousseau continues to work with the LoDo District's registered neighborhood organization and the building owner at 1962 Blake Street to replace the plaque that was taken down today. Furthermore, the city is committed to supporting the establishment of an Asian Pacific Historic District. This will include several endeavors focused on highlighting Colorado's Asian American Pacific Islander communities such as the painting of public murals depicting accurate history and culture, developing a public education program, and founding an Asian Pacific American community museum, which will be the first of its kind in the Rocky Mountain Region. All these actions will assist our community in attaining its goal of being an equitable, diverse, and inclusive city. All these actions will assist our community in attaining its goal of being an equitable, diverse, and inclusive city.

• Mayor