The Market Street arena battle is more or less a Comcast vs. Sixers + union labor struggle at this point, but Chinatown is right next door to the proposed site and the opposition organized a second rally against 76 Place this past Saturday:

Photos: Save Chinatown Coalition via Rose Hill Consulting

Press release:

PHILADELPHIA — On Saturday afternoon, amid fierce winds and sheets of rain pouring relentlessly on protestors, a crowd of 3,000 to 4,000 Philadelphians marched through Center City to protect Chinatown from the proposed 76 Place arena. Chants of “arena traffic endangers ER access” and “hands off Chinatown” flooded the streets.  

Doctors and nurses donned scrubs and white coats, raising signs that read “patients over profits,” and “slower ambulances = more people die,” drawing attention to the public health risk posed by arena gridlock traffic. Flanked by Councilmember Nic O’Rourke, Senator Nikil Saval, Rep. Rick Krajewski, and Rep. Chris Rabb, Philadelphia public school teachers and students defended Chinatown as a vital and welcoming place for young people. Chinatown residents, joined by their neighbors in West Philly, South Philly, the Gayborhood, Washington Square West, and more affirmed their unity in the fight to preserve the cultural and historic heartbeat of the city. Together, thousands of Philadelphians called for a Philadelphia that champions all its people—a city that protects its past and builds a future for everyone.

After the rally, Philadelphians stood underneath the Chinatown Friendship Arch filling 10th Street from Arch to Cherry Street, making calls to City Council, asking Mayor Parker and Councilmember Squilla directly to put people first and halt the arena proposal. The march served as a testament to the resilience and persistence of its participants, as thousands braved the storm to make their voices heard.

The Save Chinatown Coalition also held a press conference outside of City Hall on the first day of the new council session, addressing concerns from the arena impact study that they say include poor quality of temp jobs, severe gridlock, and an existential threat to the community. The opposition is also sharing a public opinion poll from Cornell Belcher of “brilliant corners research and strategy” which found the following results:

  • 69% of voters oppose the arena after hearing arguments for and against the project
  • 80% of voters are concerned that arena congestion will limit access to emergency care and Jefferson Hospital
  • Only 12% say the arena should be a top priority for City Council and the Mayor
  • 47% of voters say they’re less likely to vote for a politician who supports the arena

According to the one sheet with poll results, Save Chinatown Coalition worked with  Belcher to conduct “a citywide poll of 704 registered voters.. the survey was conducted by phone, using professional interviewers, between August 22nd and August 25th… Belcher’s previous clients include Obama for America and Mayor Cherelle Parker’s 2023 Mayoral campaign.”