Reno Residents Join National Day of Action Against Anti Asian Violence

Jack Dietlein and Melanie Mendez spent the afternoon of Saturday March 27th to cover the #StopAsianHate rally in the Biggest Little City, which included references to racism in Reno’s past.

In light of recent attacks against Asian Americans in Atlanta and elsewhere in the United States, a national day of action was organized by groups across the country, including here in Reno

“Since the Covid-19 virus was first discovered in December in China, hate crimes against Asian Americans have rose exponentially because of the anti-Asian and anti-Chinese blame game with the corporate media, the Trump administration, and the Biden administration has weaponized to deflect our shortcomings in the handling of this pandemic,” one of the keynote speakers said at the event at the Believe plaza.

Reno’s own unique and dark history with anti-Asian racism was addressed at the rally as well. “In August of 1878 Reno’s Chinatown was burned down by white supremacists of the Workingmen’s Party who were threatened by the mere existence of a thriving community that did not look like they do,” a speaker from the Party for Socialism and Liberation explained.

For those that are unaware of this racist chapter in local history, following the construction of the transcontinental railroad, Chinese communities started forming Chinatowns in cities across the western frontier, including here in Reno. The Chinatown that formed in Reno was partially destroyed in 1878, and was almost fully dismantled in 1908 after the Washoe County Grand Jury at the time ordered it be deconstructed for being a “disease-breeding place” and a “plague spot”.

Clinton Collins, 30, originally from Nashville, Tennessee was one of the organizers and speakers at the event. He tied racism in America to both current economic anxiety and general history.

Five members from the local PSL gave speeches on how they believe white supremacy, capitalism, and anti-China rhetoric has played a role in the rise of anti-Asian racism in America. The event ended with organizers leading the crowd in various chants.

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