By Shirley L. Ng and Akemi Tamanaha
(This post has been updated with additional quotes from the rally)
Upwards of 4,000 people marched in Philadelphia on Saturday to protest the proposal for a new 76ers arena near the city’s Chinatown neighborhood.
The march was hosted by the Save Chinatown Coalition, made up of 245 community organizations opposed to the development of the new arena. Chinatown community leaders and their allies have been voicing their objections since the team announced the arena two years ago.
Organizers estimated the crowd at between 3,000-4,000 people, although others estimated the crowd as over 1,000.
Some carried umbrellas, but most endeared the elements without any rain gear determined to let their voice be heard.
They chanted “hands off Chinatown” and the “people united will never be defeated.
“After today in a rainstorm, in a driving wind, there’s no way that they are building an arena in Chinatown,” said Shawmar Pitts, co-director and policy coordinator of Philly Thrive to a cheering crowd.
“We can never ever let them divide and conquer by saying they care about Black people,” he said while pointing out that many of the promised jobs at the arena would only pay $12 or $13 an hour.
Members of the Apache nation also joined the march. They are currently opposing a copper mine on tribal land and sympathize with the plight of Chinatown.
“When they heard about our struggle, the Apache stronghold decided to bring their prayers to us, they know what it means to fight for community survival,” said Debby Wei of the Save Chinatown Coalition.
Many fear the arena will push rents up, forcing both residents and small businesses out of Chinatown. They also fear the increased traffic will make Chinatown an undesirable destination for visitors and shoppers. A recent study said the arena would “accelerate gentrification in neighboring Chinatown.”
They point to Washington DC’s Chinatown which has pretty much disappeared with only a handful of Chinese residents remaining today after the Washington Capital’s built their arena near Chinatown in 1997.
Jenny Zhang of the Asian Pacific Alliance Political Alliance and Philadelphia Chinatown resident also took the microphone.
“This fight is on and we’re just getting warmed up,” she said.
“You are undeniable proof that Philly does not want an arena in the heart of our city. This arena isn’t for Philadelphia. It’s for the billionaires who own the Sixers.”
She gave out the mayor’s phone number and that of District 1 City Councilman Mark Squilla urging the crowd to get out their phones and call to oppose the arena.
Pastor Harry Leong grew up in Chinatown and is director is the Chinese Christian Church Center. He sees his role as one to build community.
“I have seen that the 76ers proposal or the plans for the 76er arena is tearing down community,” he said.
Asian Americans United and Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance organized Saturday’s rally.
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