Denis Kearney

Denis Kearney was an influential Irish-American labor leader and political activist in the late 19th century. Born on March 31, 1847, in County Tipperary, Ireland, Kearney emigrated to the United States in the 1860s, settling in San Francisco, California. He became a prominent figure in labor movements, especially through his leadership of the Workingmen's Party of California. Kearney's advocacy for labor rights, especially for Chinese American workers, made him a controversial figure during his time.

Kearney is best known for his strong opposition to Chinese immigration, a stance that culminated in his infamous slogan, “The Chinese must go!” His political influence during the 1870s and 1880s helped shape the anti-Chinese sentiment that led to the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. While his leadership in the Workingmen's Party was a driving force behind some legislative changes, his views on race and immigration have remained a subject of intense debate and criticism.

One of his notable quotes is: “We will not permit the Chinese to lower the standard of our wages." This reflects Kearney’s belief in the necessity of protecting American labor from foreign competition, though his stance is viewed as divisive in modern discourse. Despite his controversial legacy, Kearney’s actions were a crucial part of the larger labor movements in the United States, reflecting the complexities of immigration, race, and economics in the country’s history.