‘Your money ain’t good here’: Protestors of 76 Place rally outside City Hall

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Asian Americans United and the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance held a rally Saturday afternoon in protest of 76 Place.

Several leaders energized the crowd on the north side of City Hall and spoke against the possible development. Much of the pushback has been related to upticks in traffic and keeping Chinatown’s small businesses open .

Pari Pancholy, a medical student in Center City, says the traffic could hinder emergency vehicles from reaching nearby hospitals.

“It's not just patients who need to reach us quickly,” Pancholy said, “it's transplanted organs for someone getting a second chance. Organs and blood do not care if there is a basketball game.”

Mel Harriston, who was a vocal organizer during the University City Townhomes demonstration , says the community should come before economic development.

“If community development ain’t part of your structure, and you wanna purchase something in this city, your money ain’t good here,” Harriston said.

State Rep. Rick Krajewski echoed Harriston, saying the solidarity of their neighborhood can't be bought with a bogus deal.

“Our Black and Asian communities cannot and will not be put against each other while billionaires profit off of our suffering,” Krajewski said.

As speakers continued, rain began to pour down and organizers asked the crowd to stay and march. And they did.

The crowd went around City Hall and headed down Market Street, right past the proposed location for the arena. The march ended at the Friendship Arch on 10th and Arch streets, where more speakers wrapped up the event.

Last week, New Jersey officials proposed for 76 Place to be built in Camden . Mayor Vic Carstarphen said the arena would go along the Delaware River, north of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, at the site of a former prison. He says it would be a mixed-use site with retail and housing included.

The arena is expected to be a major issue in the Fall session of City Council, which kicked off this past Thursday.