The Watsonville Riot of 1930 was one of the worst racial clashes in California’s history.
Most of California's agriculture relied on cheap imported immigrant workers. These lettuce workers were mainly single Filipino men.
Because of this the “little brown brothers” admired the white women that they encountered, and the feeling was mutual. Upon observing this, the white men grew jealous, angry, and threatened.
As time passed Anti-Filipino attitudes continued to grow in strength. 500 white American youths started to protest outside a Filipino dance hall in Palm Beach.
Then the violence started.
The first of these riots took place in a pool hall on New Years Eve when a couple of Filipinos boldly escorted white girls to a dance. The men were beaten down and stoned.
The Watsonville riot lasted for five days, January 18th to the 25th.
Many Filipinos were dragged out of their homes and brutally beaten, some were thrown off the Pajaro River Bridge.
Most of California's agriculture relied on cheap imported immigrant workers. These lettuce workers were mainly single Filipino men.
Because of this the “little brown brothers” admired the white women that they encountered, and the feeling was mutual. Upon observing this, the white men grew jealous, angry, and threatened.
As time passed Anti-Filipino attitudes continued to grow in strength. 500 white American youths started to protest outside a Filipino dance hall in Palm Beach.
Then the violence started.
The first of these riots took place in a pool hall on New Years Eve when a couple of Filipinos boldly escorted white girls to a dance. The men were beaten down and stoned.
The Watsonville riot lasted for five days, January 18th to the 25th.
Many Filipinos were dragged out of their homes and brutally beaten, some were thrown off the Pajaro River Bridge.
Hunting parties were organized; stabbings, shootings, and attacks on ranches and farms were made. Hundreds of Filipinos were victims of these horrendous attacks.
One man Fermin Tobera, was shot in the heart when he was hiding in a closet to escape the horrible violence.
Violence spread throughout California and in San Fransisco Filipino hangouts were blown up and workers were threatened.
The body of Fermin Tobera was sent to Manila, where they consider him a martyr, is seen as a symbol of the Filipinos fight for independence and equality.
In September 4, 2011, the state of California apologized to Filipinos and Filipino Americans in an Assembly stating that while "Filipino Americans have a proud history of hard work and perseverance...California, however, does not have as proud a history regarding its treatment of Filipino Americans. For these past injustices, it's time that we recognize the pain and suffering this community has endured" (Santa Cruz Sentinel).
One man Fermin Tobera, was shot in the heart when he was hiding in a closet to escape the horrible violence.
Violence spread throughout California and in San Fransisco Filipino hangouts were blown up and workers were threatened.
The body of Fermin Tobera was sent to Manila, where they consider him a martyr, is seen as a symbol of the Filipinos fight for independence and equality.
In September 4, 2011, the state of California apologized to Filipinos and Filipino Americans in an Assembly stating that while "Filipino Americans have a proud history of hard work and perseverance...California, however, does not have as proud a history regarding its treatment of Filipino Americans. For these past injustices, it's time that we recognize the pain and suffering this community has endured" (Santa Cruz Sentinel).