About CACA

History

In the late 19th Century, the Chinese, who first came to America to prospect for gold and later to help build the railroads, farms, and cities, had become this country's scapegoats.

Public opinion became openly prejudiced against the Chinese when poor economic conditions and unemployment became prevalent in the late 1800s.  In 1854, the California Supreme Court ruled that a Chinese could not testify against a white person in court.  Later, the first race-based immigration law in American history was enacted -- the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.  Discriminatory taxes were levied against Chinese laborers and the Chinese were not allowed to own property.

Against this backdrop of hostility and discrimination, a small group of young Chinese-Americans assembled in San Francisco in 1895 to promote citizenship, better their community, and combat the anti-Chinese sentiment.  Thus, what was to become the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA) was founded.

Its actions to combat racism and injustice quickly gained widespread interest.  By 1912, CACA had expanded nationwide.  Today, CACA, a non-partisan, non-profit organization, is represented by lodges in 16 major cities across the United States.  It continues to champion civil and immigrant rights and the community's welfare while providing a rich program of activities for its members, their families, and friends.

The CACA has spearheaded efforts:

The CACA has encouraged and promoted education and leadership for Chinese-American youth with programs such as the:

Many lodges also sponsor local scholarship programs, oratorical competitions, sports activities, and youth clubs.  Fellowship and community activities for families and senior citizens are always important programs for the CACA.  We invite you to join us!

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