You are invited to the 360 Riot Walk, a virtual walking tour created by local artist Henry Tsang. Born in Hong Kong, Tsang arrived in Canada at a young age and now works at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. He is known for incorporating digital media, photography, video and language into his art pieces. This tour invites you to learn about a monumental day in Vancouver’s history. And it’s completely free.
On Labour Day in 1907, the Asiatic Exclusion League (AEL), backed by the Knights of Labour, gathered to protest immigration from Asia in Vancouver. They marched to City Hall and burned Lieutenant Governor James Dunsmuir in effigy. Dunsmuir had hired Asian immigrants to work for his coal mine. He refused to accept calls for exclusionary policies. The mob marched into Chinatown and smashed store windows. Shocked and terrified, residents locked their doors and barricaded their homes. The angry citizens of the AEL advanced to Japantown, though Japanese residents were prepared and fought back.
A brief history by Canadian History Ehx.
The incident, now known as the Anti-Asian Riots, would affect the politics of Vancouver for years after. The documentation of this day is a painful reminder of Vancouver’s racist past, one that the city has recently started to face with more sincerity. According to scholars, learning about these incidents is a necessary step in the journey toward combating racism. Textbooks, exhibits and films must describe historical events from multiple perspectives.
The 360 Riot Walk allows you to learn your city’s history through an interactive map that can be viewed on your iPad or smartphone. Stroll through Vancouver’s downtown neighbourhoods as narrators discuss the political environment and provide more context to understand this occurrence. Don’t have time to leave your apartment? You can move through the entire map through your web browser here: https://360riotwalk.ca/ Audio is available in four languages, English, Cantonese, Japanese and Punjabi. Henry Tsang created the 360 Riot Walk with the backing of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Emily Carr University.
Learn more about Henry Tsang here. https://henrytsang.ca/
#walkingtour #vancouverhistory