On Dec. 25, near the end of Hanukkah, Jewish community members and leaders joined Chinatown residents to protest the proposed Philadelphia 76ers stadium, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
In July, the 76ers announced a proposal for a $1.3 billion arena a block away from the Chinatown archway. The proposal sparked outrage amongst the Chinatown community who said they were not consulted.
Since the proposal was announced, executives from the 76ers have also met with Chinatown community members to discuss the proposal. Chinatown residents have also continued to protest the proposal.
On Sunday, Dec. 25, Jewish community members joined the protestors in Chinatown. The protests fell on the final night of Hanukkah. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Rabbi Linda Holtzman of the Tikkun Olam Chavurah community led a menorah lighting.
Holtzman noted that the holiday has always been “a festival of resistance.” It was the perfect day for the Jewish community to join Chinatown residents as they protested.
“As a Jewish person, I support other communities who want to have self-determination. I feel an allegiance to the people I know are here and I think Chinatown has value to the whole city,” Sukey Blanc told WHYY.
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