Thousands of people flocked to Chinatown on Saturday for the Mid-Autumn Festival. The annual event celebrating Chinese culture took on special significance this year as the community fights against development in the Controversial 76ers arena.
Several blocks of North 10th Street were closed to traffic as festival-goers enjoyed dancers, martial arts demonstrations and music performances.
“This festival is part of what we would lose if the arena goes away,” said Vivian Chang, executive director of Asian Americans United. Chang’s nonprofit organized the festival.
Chang used the event to spread the word and get more people to join the fight. People held up protest signs and placed “Save Chinatown” buttons on a table.
CBS News Philadelphia.
CBS News Philadelphia.
CBS News Philadelphia.
“We encourage people to make their voices heard,” Chang said. “Call their council members.”
Some people fear that an arena near Chinatown will change the neighborhood forever by increasing traffic, making parking more difficult and hurting business owners.
“If the arena comes to this area, it will take at least six years to build,” said Xu Lin, the owner of a restaurant called Bubblefish. “I don’t think my business can survive the six years of construction.”
The possibility of a new Center City arena moved one step closer to reality Wednesday when Mayor Cherelle Parker announced she has reached a deal to keep the team in Philadelphia.
“It is very disappointing that our mayor supports the proposal,” Lin said.
Supporters of the project say it will create jobs and revitalize Market East.
“Philadelphia is a beautiful city and I think it can help or hurt us in a lot of different ways,” said Malik Still, a student at the Community College of Philadelphia.
Plans for the new facility still need to be voted on by the city council, and until then, companies like Bubblefish remain in limbo.
“I do [to] “Keep fighting,” Lin said. “I don’t think this is over.”
