As the rain fell, protestors later began chanting “It’s raining, it’s pouring and [Philadelphia City Councilmember Mark] Squilla is snoring,” calling out the area’s councilmember, who will play a key role in the arena’s fate.
Squilla has not publicly expressed a stance on the development but has called the arena a “viable project.”
A recent citywide poll commissioned by the Save Chinatown Coalition found that more than half of residents surveyed oppose the arena proposal.
Impact studies commissioned by the city were released last week. The independent consultants said the development at 10th and Market streets “could potentially result in the loss of Chinatown’s core identity and regional significance.”
Amanda Liu, 14, came out Saturday to support the movement. She said she grew up in Philly, and goes to Chinatown at least once a week.
“I feel like I fit in the most here, because I’m Chinese, here is Chinatown,” she said. “I just hate to see it destroyed by billionaires.”
Jamie Roberts, a teacher at William H. Ziegler Elementary School, carried a sign that read “Chinatown is a Philly Treasure.”
“Chinatown is an incredibly important part of Philadelphia history. This is just another example of corporations shutting down historical communities,” she said. “I have a lot of respect for the community. I grew up here. My children grew up here. I have students who are Chinese American and they should have the opportunity to come here, for them and for all students. People trying to gaslight us is unconscionable.”
The 76ers and proponents of the arena, including the Black Clergy of Philadelphia, argue 76 Place would revitalize the area known as Market East, where major developments, such as the Fashion District, have struggled to produce promised economic benefits. The 76ers say the arena would boost the city’s economy and attract more people to games and events compared to the team’s current home at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia.
Philadelphia City Council needs to pass necessary legislation for the development to get the green light. Squilla has said he will give community members 30 days to review legislation before he introduces it in Council.
“We still need to see what the proposed legislation would say to see if there are safeguards we can put in place to address some of the concerns,” Squilla said this week.
Melvin Hairston, a former resident of University City Townhomes, an affordable housing complex in West Philadelphia that was recently demolished after a prolonged legal battle, said Chinatown’s fight against the arena should matter to all Philadelphians concerned about gentrification and displacement.
“It affects all of us in every way, shape or form. That’s why everybody needs to be involved,” he said.
Heather Chin, deputy editor at Billy Penn, contributed to this story.
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