In 1982, Vincent Chin was killed by two autoworkers who mistook him as Japanese at a Highland Park strip club where he was having his bachelor party. The two autoworkers beat him with a baseball bat. He later died as a result of his injuries. They were eventually charged and pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The two men were given three years' probation and a $3,000 fine.
Chin's death became a symbol of racial hate crimes against Asians at a time when many became scapegoats for the ailing auto industry. Even though 25 years have passed since his death, many people want to make sure all remember the killing.
Among the speakers at Saturday's conference are Roland Hwang, a former president of the Organization of Chinese Americans Detroit Chapter, and Frank H. Wu, dean of Wayne State University Law School. (Source: Shaun Byron, The Oakland Press, Jun 21, 2007).