Press release from the Chinatown group(s) fighting the Sixers arena:

TODAY 2PM: Save Chinatown Coalition Emergency Action and Press Conference on Mayor Parker Announcement

Supporters will light up City Hall with lanterns, shining a light on the disastrous arena and unacceptable process

PHILADELPHIA – As Mayor Parker holds yet another closed-door meeting Wednesday afternoon, where she is expected to make an announcement on the arena, the Save Chinatown Coalition and supporters will gather in Dilworth Park to create and display handmade lanterns as a symbolic gesture, to shine a light on the disastrous plan to build a basketball arena in Center City and the unacceptable lack of transparency surrounding the entire process. Mayor Parker has repeatedly refused to visit Chinatown, despite four invitations.

“another closed-door meeting Wednesday afternoon, where she is expected to make an announcement on the arena”

I got a tip the other day that there was some kind of meeting taking place between Chinatown leaders and the Mayor’s office. Tipster was probably talking about this. We’re reaching critical mass on the arena debate, with the impact studies released last month and another town hall taking place in September. There’s really nothing more to do here. All of the meetings and studies and arguments have taken place. City Hall needs to decide whether to introduce the arena for a vote, or not introduce it.

But yes, the wording in that press release is very curious. An “emergency action” because of an alleged “closed-door” meeting. Then a little bit of shade at the end. Sounds very secretive to me!

The press conference is taking place at 2 p.m. at Dilworth Park in front of City Hall. Today, Wednesday.