In a City Defined by History, Chinatown’s Champions Fear New Arena for 76ers
This story, which I pitched, photographed, and reported on for The New York Times, documents a community deeply engaged in a longstanding struggle to protect one of the last thriving Chinatowns in the United States from the threat of gentrification and the resulting displacement affecting Chinatowns across the nation.
Activists speak outside of Philadelphia City Hall ahead of a City Council meeting where legislation on the proposed 76ers' arena will be introduced in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 24, 2024.
Students perform the lion dance at the Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures Charter School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 8, 2023.
Asian Americans United member Wei Chen speaks at the 'No Arena' rally and march in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 7, 2024.
David Adelman, Co-Owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, watches the Philadelphia 76ers play the Los Angeles Lakers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 27, 2023.
Activist Debbie Wei is carried out of a City Council meeting after legislation on the proposed 76ers' arena was introduced at Philadelphia City Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 24, 2024.
Derek Sam, owner of Little Saigon Café, cooks at his restaurant in the Chinatown neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 28, 2023.
The Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers warm up at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 27, 2023.
Demonstrators take part in the 'No Arena' rally and march at the Chinatown Friendship Gate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 7, 2024.
Supporters of the proposed 76ers' arena wait outside Philadelphia City Hall ahead of a City Council meeting where legislation on the arena will be introduced in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 24, 2024.
Principal Pheng Lim poses for a portrait at the Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures Charter School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 8, 2023.
Community members hold signage while creating a parody video to Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball,” in opposition to the proposed 76ers arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania February 19, 2023.
Kenny Luu, 35, holds his daughter Zoe Luu, 3, at the 'No Arena' rally and march in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 7, 2024.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker speaks during a meeting she held with community members on the proposed Philadelphia 76ers arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 11, 2024.
Mark Squilla, who represents Philadelphia City Council’s First District, poses for a portrait at Philadelphia City Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 15, 2023.
Members of City Council meet ahead of legislation on the proposed 76ers' arena being introduced as activists listen at Philadelphia City Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 24, 2024.
The Chinatown Friendship Gate is reflected in a puddle in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 28 2023.
Activists are pictured outside of Philadelphia City Hall after legislation on the proposed 76ers' arena was introduced duriang a City Council Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 24, 2024.