Business owners discuss their concerns and share their opinions against the arena.

The townhall meeting served as a vehicle for residents of the community to voice their opinions against the arena, which would later form the basis of a coalition of groups that would gather and share resources against the arena.

City Councilman Mark Squilla(center), representing the Chinatown District, and David Gould(right), Chief Diversity & Impact Officer representative for the 76ers, attended the town hall meeting to discuss the proposed arena stadium next to Chinatown. David Gould, in particular, was the subject of the community's displeasure and was often booed during the town hall meeting. Councilman Squilla promised that he would not introduce legislation unless it were reviewed by the Chinatown community first.

Press conference announcing the creation of a coalition against the proposed 76ers' arena development next to Chinatown in January 2023.

Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve in Philadelphia.

Lunar New Year's Eve, Philadelphia Chinatown 2023. During the Lunar New Year, store owners would invite the lion dancers and drummers into their premises to bring good luck and fortune.

In a crowded alley filled with heavy fireworks, drummers accompany the lion dancers visiting local store merchants to bring good luck and fortune.

In 2023, Philadelphia's Chinatown witnessed the largest show of spectators watching the Lunar New year's Eve tradition, according to Harry Leong, president of the Philadelphia Suns, who showcased the lion dances.

Member of the Philadelphia Suns during Lunar New Year's Eve, January 2023.

Lion dancers visiting local merchants.

A Chinatown store merchant gives a red envelope containing money to bring good luck and fortune.

Joe Lowe, a resident of Philadelphia's Chinatown, was in charge of lighting the fireworks during Lunar New Year's eve.

Philadelphia Suns drum corps.

Fireworks at Sang Kee Restaurant.

Setting up the fireworks in front of the grocery storefront.

Shop owner watching the lion dancers in front of the storefront.

Enduring the fireworks display.

In the middle of the fireworks during Lunar New Year celebrations.

The Lunar Year brings together the community to celebrate the new year. Father & son enjoying the parade of lion dancers and fireworks.

After news of the mass shooting at an Asian community in Monterey Park in California and another deadly massacre in Half Moon Bay near San Francisco, a vigil was held in Philadelphia's Chinatown at the Folk Arts Cultural Treasures School. The space was available to the community to grieve and share responses to the latest gun incidents and the violence and harassment committed against Asian Americans since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Community members grieving the gun massacre events at a vigil held in Philadelphia's Chinatown.

UPenn and Drexel students protested against the 76ers’ arena developmental proposal next to Philadelphia’s Chinatown and to preserve affordable housing in West Philadelphia. The student group, known as SPOC (Students for the Preservation of Chinatown) and the Coalition to Save the UC Townhomes, protested during the UPenn board of trustees meeting at the Inn at Penn. Students attempted to enter the meeting but were soon removed. The students, led by Taryn Flaherty and Kaia Chau, who founded SPOC, demanded that the 76ers’ arena developers David Adelman, David Blitzer, and Josh Harris be removed from their position on UPenn’s Board of Trustees and that the university support Chinatown community’s views against the stadium. Also, SPOC demanded David Adelman be removed from Drexel’s University Real Estate Advisory Board. Adelman is in plans to redevelop West Philadelphia, which threatens the existence of UC Townhomes, one of the last remaining affordable housing complexes in the area. UC Townhomes consisted of several West Philadelphia low-income homeowners and were initially built for the displacement of low-income families. The redevelopment plan to purchase UC Townhomes would cause gentrification, evict and displace low-income residents and cause more homelessness.

On March 3rd, Penn and Drexel students protested against the 76ers’ arena developmental proposal next to Philadelphia’s Chinatown and to preserve affordable housing in West Philadelphia. The student group, known as SPOC (Students for the Preservation of Chinatown) and the Coalition to Save the UC Townhomes, protested during the UPenn board of trustees meeting at the Inn at Penn. Students attempted to enter the meeting but were soon removed. The students, led by Taryn Flaherty and Kaia Chau, who founded SPOC, demanded that the 76ers’ arena developers David Adelman, David Blitzer, and Josh Harris be removed from their position on UPenn’s Board of Trustees and that the university support Chinatown community’s views against the stadium. Also, SPOC demanded David Adelman be removed from Drexel’s University Real Estate Advisory Board. Adelman is in plans to redevelop West Philadelphia, which threatens the existence of UC Townhomes, one of the last remaining affordable housing complexes in the area.

SPOC protests in front of the Inn at Penn, where the UPenn board of trustees was being held.

SPOC protests in front of the Inn at Penn, where the Upenn board of trustees was being held.

SPOC protestors.

SPOC protestors.

SPOC protestors at the back entrance of the Inn at UPenn are waiting for members of the board of trustees to exit after their meeting. In particular, they were waiting for board members David Adelman, David Blitzer, and Josh Harris, who are promoting the development of the 76ers arena next to Chinatown.