The Tung Tong Case

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The Tung Hing Tong consisted of early Chinese immigrants that shared similar characteristics and familiar backgrounds. Memberships in the guild consisted of many young bachelor men who were poorly educated and had limited English capability, where sojourners, and most had little to no capital. Subsequently, these familiarities provided a basis on which Chinese laundrymen could unite and improve their businesses and invest in ethnic commonality, to strengthen their chances of having a livelihood. The guild understood that to combat discriminatory anti-Chinese acts and laws, they had to think past their difference and use their connections to create an active organization that would fight for their civil rights. In contrast, if the laundrymen …show more content…

Hopkins in 1886 and ensured the most influential court decision in Asian American history. The Tung Hing Tong brought together over two hundred Chinese laundrymen as a force in retaliation to the 1880’s discriminatory laws targeting Chinese immigrants. During this demonstration Yick Wo was one of the laundrymen that retaliated, and thus was falsely convicted of failing a health inspection and was thrown into prison. Yick decided to take legal action, instead of paying the large sum of money. In support of their fellow member, the Tung Hing Tong brought their financial provisions together, to pay for a renowned American trial lawyer, Hall McAllister, to defend Yick Wo in court. During the trial, McAllister argued that the laws were fabricated to damage the reputation of Chinese laundrymen, discriminating against them only because White American businessmen wanted the laundry business all to themselves. Having won the trial at the United States Supreme Court, Yick Wo v. Hopkins became the first case to connect the 14th Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause in relation to immigrants from China, and barred laws to prejudicially discriminate against any group of people, though the law may appear race-neutral. Using lawyers to defend themselves in court, being able to assemble finances quickly, and using a united organization to protect their personal interest established a precedence from which other social movements could learn