Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.) is a Chinese American fraternal, benevolent non-profit organization founded in 1895 in San Francisco, California to secure equal rights for Americans of Chinese ancestry and to better the welfare of their communities. C.A.C.A. is the United States' oldest Asian American civil rights organization.

Organization

C.A.C.A. was originally named the Native Sons of the Golden State (similar to the Native Sons of the Golden West) and changed to its present name in 1915 to reflect its national presence. By that time, three lodges within California in Los Angeles (1914), San Francisco (1915), and Oakland (1917) were chartered as local lodges. In the early 1920s, the building housing the national headquarters at 1044 Stockton Street in San Francisco was completed.

  • pursuing the highest ethics, morals, and values, practicing and defending American citizenship and American patriotism,
  • bettering the economic and political opportunities in our communities,
  • preserving historical and cultural traditions, and
  • assuring the education of our youth and community.

The Cardinal Principles each Member must abide by are that: In 2012, through the collective effort of many Asian Americans including members of the C.A.C.A., worked with the 112th Congress to secure the passage of two resolutions (H Res. 683 and S. Res. 201), expressing regret for the passage of Chinese Exclusion Laws. For H Res. 683, the House of Representatives passed the resolution by unanimous consent expressing regret over the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

C.A.C.A. has had a history of youth outreach programs. The Chinese American Citizens Alliance LA Lodge Youth Council (YC) was formed in August 2001 and is supported by the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Los Angeles Chapter. It was created in response to the growing number of students seeking college entry counseling. The main goals of the Youth Council are to assist students with the college admission process, provide opportunities for them to perform community service and for youth leadership development. Membership currently consists of high school students, college students, and recent college graduates residing in the San Fernando Valley, Chinatown, Foothill (Arcadia and Temple City), West and East San Gabriel Valley.

Notable events

  • 1895 – Chinese Americans in San Francisco establish the Native Sons of the Golden State in response to racism and prejudice that limited their employment, education, housing, insurance and banking opportunities. Full citizenship and informed civic engagement are key tenets.
  • 2008 – Alliance wins House recognition of the contributions of Asian American/Pacific Islander soldiers who fought in the American Civil War.
  • 2012 – Alliance, with five national Asian American organizations, obtains Senate and House unanimous resolutions condemning the Chinese exclusion laws first enacted in 1882.
  • 2014 – The U.S. Department of Labor, with Alliance assistance, inducts Chinese transcontinental railroad workers into its Wall of Honor.

References

  • Official website
  • Chinese American Citizens Alliance records are housed in the Department of Special Collections and University Archives at Stanford University Libraries