Walk to Harbor March to Commemorate the 139th Anniversary
of the 1886 Seattle Chinese Expulsion
by Corey Zhang and Lingyuan Yan
February 23, 2025- Seattle, WA- High school student volunteers from Little Masters Club (LMC), with hundreds of community members, gathered in Hing Hay Park, to take part in the annual Walk to Harbor event, an empowering remembrance march to commemorate the 139th anniversary of the 1886 Seattle Chinese Exclusion. On February 6-91886, over three hundred and fifty Seattle’s Chinese residents were forced to board ships and leave their homes.
Prior to the event, student journalists Meiling Hou, Judy Shi, Corey Zhang, Yixuan Li, Ellen Chen from the LMC Heritage & Me program
received training from Ms. Min Zhou, independent documentary filmmaker on how to conduct interviews on the event day.
The walk began at Hing Hay Park, where speakers including Washington State legislators, local activists, and historians reflected on the impact of the Chinese expulsion and its echoes in today's socio-political climate. University of Washington professor Dr. Connie So drew parallels between past xenophobia and present-day struggles for immigrant rights, urging attendees to remain vigilant against scapegoating and discrimination.
"History repeats itself if we do not actively fight against ignorance and intolerance," said State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos. "We march today to ensure that such injustices are never forgotten."
LMC student journalists interviewed attendees about the significance of remembering history and advocating for inclusion in our current society.
"We are not going anywhere," said State Representative Janice Zahn, echoing the sentiments of the day. "We honor those who came before us by continuing to fight for a future of inclusivity and justice."
This event was a powerful reminder that history shapes the present—and that through collective action, communities can ensure a more just future for all.