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.