The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid targeting vendors of counterfeit merchandise in Chinatown is the latest law enforcement operation aimed at an underground economy that has persisted in Lower Manhattan for centuries.
In the 18th century, New Yorkers bought knockoff Chinese porcelain plates, lacquerware, custom portraits and paintings that were actually made in Europe and America, Rutgers University historian Jack Tchen said. In modern times, mayoral administrations since Rudy Giuliani have tried — and failed — to squash the sale of fake luxury items like faux Louis Vuitton handbags, bogus Rolex watches and Gucci glasses. The vendors were mostly Asian, but with the surge of migrants into the city beginning in 2022, African men began selling merchandise in the area in larger numbers.
“Chinatown really is just carrying on that tradition,” said Tchen, the director of the Clemente Price Institute at Rutgers University of Newark. “More than being this exotic, mysterious, fun place, or dangerous place to go to, it really is just carrying out the deep history of street life.”…