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This file concerns the 1982 killing of Chinese American engineer Vincent Chin in the Detroit area and the public response to the sentences imposed on Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz. The released material consists chiefly of April 1983 correspondence, press releases, newspaper clippings, and community statements protesting Wayne County Circuit Judge Charles Kaufman's decision to impose probation and fines after the men pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Documents from the Organization of Chinese Americans and Detroit-area advocates describe calls for a stronger sentence, possible civil-rights review, and the formation of American Citizens for Justice. The records seen span reporting on the June 1982 assault and the organized reaction in 1983.

Documents span: 1982-1983 | Released in 1 part
Names in this file: Vincent Chin, Ronald Ebens, Michael Nitz, Charles Kaufman, Laura Chin, Vickie Wong, William Cahalan, Helen Zia
Subjects: civil rights, anti-Asian racism, homicide, sentencing, Chinese American advocacy, Detroit