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OCA Condemns Disrespect Towards Philadelphia Chinatown in Fight Against 76ers Stadium Proposal
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OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates condemns the treatment of advocates at the City Council meeting on the 76ers stadium, emphasizing its threat to Philadelphia’s Chinatown and standing in solidarity against any development that displaces or marginalizes Asian American enclaves.
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Washington, D.C. — OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates condemns the treatment of Asian Americans United Civic Engagement Director Debbie Wei and the youth advocates during the recent City Council meeting on the proposed 76ers basketball stadium near Philadelphia’s Chinatown. Security escorted Wei from the meeting without clear cause, showing blatant disrespect to long-standing community advocates who have tirelessly fought to protect their neighborhoods.
The proposed stadium poses an existential threat to Philadelphia’s historic Chinatown, a vibrant cultural and economic hub for the Asian American community. Located in the Fashion District Gallery, the development would displace local businesses, drive up living costs, and unravel the social fabric of this critical neighborhood. While only 19.7% of small businesses in Chinatown stand to benefit economically from the arena's construction, 30.1% would face mixed outcomes, and a majority—50.2%—would experience a negative economic impact. OCA firmly believes this project mirrors other destructive urban developments, such as those in Washington, D.C., where sports arenas permanently altered Chinatown’s identity.
While the 76ers organization claims they can “protect” Chinatown, the community remains unconvinced. History shows that such promises are rarely fulfilled, and OCA will not stand by as another Chinatown faces the threat of gentrification and erasure. The organization demands transparency, accountability, and a development process that prioritizes the needs and voices of Chinatown residents.
OCA stands in solidarity with the Philadelphia Chinatown community, will continue to oppose any efforts to marginalize or displace Asian American neighborhoods, and urgently calls on the public, local officials, and allies nationwide to support this cause. Communities deserve more than empty promises; they deserve respect, dignity, and the preservation of their cultural heritage.
OCA National has passed a resolution opposing this stadium in support of OCA - Greater Philadelphia’s strong stance against the development and recognizes the significant harm it poses to the AANHPI community.
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OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.
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