The day of Saturday, September 7, 1907 was the day in which Vancouver's great sense of pride was shattered. The growing Chinese population led to the development of the Asian Exclusion League in Vancouver. A meeting of the Asian Exclustion League occured in City Hall. Angry mobs of Caucasian protestors argued to keep Canada a "white man's country." Many speakers, including priests, encouraged a developing mob to do all they could do in order to uphold Canadian pride. The meeting held very high ideals for Canada; it was very popular among the white population.
At 9 o'clock in the evening, thousands of people who wished to attend the meeting were denied entrance. These 30 000 people, disappointed and angered, seperated into small groups roaming the streets. These groups found their way into Chinatown. A sense of bitterness could be felt in the air as the enraged shouts of the angered people filled the quiet district. The orators of the Asian Exclusion League urged for moderation of the Asian immigrants; yet the groups of people felt otherwise. This parade of people marched down Hastings. First came the wealthy class of the Asian Exclusion League and their lady sympathizers in horse-drawn carriages. They marched from City Hall on 12th and entered Chinatown using the Granville Bridge. From there, they made a left onto W. Hastings until Carrall Street. Following this group was over 5 000 men with white badges fluttering from his buttonhole. On-lookers began to join the angry mob, which grew to about 30 000 people. White children, women, and men alike participated in this brutal spectacle. The irresponsible mob looked to a young boy as its leader. The cause of the riot was traced to this young boy who threw a brick through a window of a Chinese shop located on the corner of Hastings and Carrall. The mob followed in the proud child's footsteps, picking up stones, bricks, and other stray materials and began smashing and looting Chinese buildings.
The "Vancouver Daily" paper of September 9, 1907 described the mob as "a good-natured crowd that apparently had no desire to engage in a mix-up with the police, Chinese, or Japanese." Yet, few casualties and thousands of dollars in damage were reported. On the first run, only bricks and stones danced in every direction as the noise of broken glass and unforgettable screams filled the atmosphere. Store after store suffered damage. Not one Chinese shop was left untouched. The mobs rushed down Shanghai Alley and Carrall Street. The defenseless Chinese ran into their shops and barricaded the doors fearing for their lives. Petrified, the Chinese remained in their shops even after the violent episode occurred.
Following this event, the mob headed for Japantown, after feeling unsatisfied. The mob recognized the fact that the fight of labouring classes was directly against the Japanese; not the Chinese. They headed to the corner of Westminster and Powell, where a number of Japanese stores were located. By ten o'clock in the evening every police officer was dispatched to Chinatown and Japtown. At this point the police, armed with clubs, were powerless in the effort to stop the mob. Brittle barricades were placed in front of many shops and stores. Effortlessly, the mobs destroyed these barricades and continued to throw bricks and stones through the shops of Japantown. Brick after brick was thrown through the large windows in less than half-a-minute. Damages to equipment and stocks occurred due to the fact that the mob continued to throw bricks and stones even after the glass was shattered. The police were unable to control the cursing, shouting mob.
While in front of the mob, the police began to push them back while bricks and stones flew beside their heads. The police eventually were able to push the crowd some distance away; only to have the Japanese flats destroyed. A considerable amount of damage was done to both Japantown and Chinatown.
Fortunately, it was in Japantown in which the riot ended. Armed with sticks, broken bottle-necks, iron bars, revolvers, knives, and clubs hundreds of Japanese began fighting off the mob. Many people of the mob were glazed on the arm by the broken bottles, others stabbed, while others were shot. The now pitifull mob had experienced a taste of its own hatred. The mob, armed with only bricks and stones could not stand the onslaught. As many Japanese were struck on the head with stones, many people of the mob tried to retreat. The fighting continued as the mob was finally allowed to leave, and it retreated hastily. After the riot, the proud Japanese decided to defend their town. Many white people who entered Japantown were bested by small gangs comprised of Japanese. Several stabbings occurred after the riotous scenes were over.
Finally at 11 o'clock the sections of the mob gathered at the corner of Hastings and Carrall. A second trip, in which guns were used, occurred. The frustrated crowd, was not yet satisfied. Chinatown was in shambles, both physically and emotionally. The honour of the Chinese had been crossed, yet no retaliation was taken due to the fear of rejection. Many people of the mob felt that their point had not yet been received. The full force of the police prevented the mob from again, destroying the Chinatown area. The mobs tried to penetrate the force of the police and eventually succeeded by crossing the C.P.R. tracks. Fortunately reinforcements of newly sworn in special police prevented them from entering. Threats of arson were uttered out in the streets which dispatched the Fire Brigade to Carrall and Hastings. The roaring crowd held back by the police did not seem to disperse. The strong barricades of blue-coated officers began to worry. Eventually an officer suggested that the fire hose be used on the mob. The Chief of Police Chamberlin was warned against such an action as the mob would just grow angrier. Meanwhile, the mob kept throwing objects through the windows of the Chinese shops.
Speakers from City Hall were brought to the mob in order to speak and calm the mob. Among the speakers were Mr. A.E. Fowler, secretary of the Seattle Anti-Asiastic League. He climbed the the guy wire of the telephone pole. The mob, at his sight, calmed down and listened to him. A.E. Fowler, under direct force from Mayor Bethune, instructed the crowd to disperse and wait until the Thursday meeting of the Asiatic Exclusion League to vent their feelings. Meanwhile, those who could not hear the speech continued to throw stones and bricks through the shops of the Chinese. Eventually, due to boredom, the mob dispersed and the streets of shattered Chinatown were quiet once again.