By Shirley L. Ng
Supporters of Philadelphia Chinatown march from City Hall to Chinatown. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
A diverse crowd of supporters of Chinatown sit at Philadelphia City Hall during the rally to oppose the proposed new 76ers arena to be built in Chinatown. About 3000 – 4000 people attended. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke speaks during the City Hall rally. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
A unique sign made by Students Against Sixers Arena. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
At the City Hall rally, a “Stop The Land Grab,” banner. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
A sign on a golf cart during the march claims $1 billion in lost revenue if the new 76ers arena is built. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
Despite the heavy rain, a guitarist and drummer play music as they marched from Philadelphia City Hall to Chinatown. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
A banner, “We Won’t Be Displaced,” in English and Chinese to oppose the proposed new 76ers arena. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
After the rally at City Hall, the community marched to the Chinatown arch. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
Young boy at the rally holds a sign that reads, “Save our patients. Doctors and nurses say, ‘No Arena.'” Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
The Queer community attended the rally and march to support Philadelphia Chinatown. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
Friends attending the Philadelphia rally and march to oppose the new 76ers arena. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
Korean Americans supporting Philadelphia Chinatown. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
Young boy holds a sign above his head that reads, “Don’t destroy another Chinatown”. Photo by Shirley L. Ng 
Young man wearing a cardboard pagoda on his head at the Philadelphia City Hall rally that reads, “Save Chinatown”. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
Man at the Philadelphia City Hall rally holds signs that allows you to fill in the blank. Photo by Shirley L. Ng 
Members of the Apache nation from Arizon joined the rally and march in solidarity as they are in a similar struggle of losing their tribal land. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
Woman attending the Philadelphia City Hall rally tells developers of the 76ers arena how she really feels. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
About 3000-4000 people, young and old attended the rally and march to Save Chinatown from the proposed new 76ers arena. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
Woman and her son at the Philadelphia City Hall rally to Save Chinatown. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
11th and 12th grade public school teacher, Charlie McGeehan wants more funding for schools after a water damaged wall collapsed while he was teaching. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
Supporters of Philadelphia Chinatown hold signs at the City Hall rally protesting the proposed new 76ers arena. Photo by: Shirley L. Ng 
Philadelphia – A crowd estimated at between 3,000 – 4,000 people rallied Sunday to oppose the proposed 76er arena that would border Philadelphia’s Chinatown.
RELATED: Protestors brave rain during march against proposed 76er arena
The rally started off at the City Hall with a lineup of speakers, hosted by Debbie Wei of the Save Chinatown Coalition. Speakers included Councilman Nicolas O’Rourke and Charlie McGeehan, a public school teacher. McGeehan told the crowd that he, “Opposes the arena project in every possible way. While these billionaires are working on an arrangement where they don’t pay property taxes to our school district, our schools are in desperate need of funding.” He shared that while he was teaching, the ceiling of his classroom collapsed and the students narrowly escaped being hurt.
The skies opened up just as the march from City Hall to Chinatown was to begin. The rain did not stop the supporters and their energy was high.
An impact study paid for by the developers of the arena was released over a week ago. Among its findings, the study said building the arena would accelerate gentrification in Chinatown, but it would also create jobs. The community is calling the impact study bias since it was paid by the developers.
New Jersey Governor Jim Murphy is said to have made an offer to build the Philadelphia 76ers in Camden.
A decision will be made by the city of Philadelphia in the Fall whether or not the arena will be approved at it proposed location.
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