Denis Kearney was an Irish-American labor leader and political agitator known for his strong anti-immigrant stance and advocacy for workers' rights in California during the late 19th century. He founded the Workingmen's Party of California, which sought to unite laborers and oppose Chinese immigrants, whom he blamed for economic difficulties and job competition. His fiery speeches and leadership played a significant role in the rise of nativist and anti-immigration sentiments in the region. Kearney's rhetoric was often aggressive and xenophobic, targeting Chinese immigrants in particular. He organized political actions and violent protests to push for restrictions on Chinese immigration, reflecting the widespread fear of losing jobs and cultural change among white workers. His efforts contributed to the passage of exclusionary laws, including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which severely limited Chinese immigration into the United States. Throughout his career, Kearney remained a controversial figure, admired by some for defending working-class interests and condemned by others for promoting racial hatred. His legacy is intertwined with the history of labor activism as well as the xenophobia that fueled discriminatory policies against Asian immigrants in America. Denis Kearney was an Irish-American labor leader and political activist prominent in late 19th-century California. He championed workers' rights and founded the Workingmen's Party of California, advocating for the interests of white laborers. He is best known for his vehement anti-Chinese rhetoric, organizing protests and influencing legislation that aimed to restrict Chinese immigration. His speeches and actions contributed to the passage of laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, reflecting widespread anti-immigrant sentiments of that era. Kearney remains a controversial figure, celebrated by some for defending labor rights but criticized for promoting racial hatred and xenophobia. His impact on the politics of immigration and labor history is significant and reflective of the tensions of his time.