An epic rally. An epic hearing. Decision delayed until Jun 26 for 105 Keefer.
It's not over. We need to keep the heat on.
Yesterday was an epic day at City Hall. We pulled off a monumental cross-cultural solidarity rally complete with Taiko drumming, Italian opera, and a Jazz quartet, on top of a two-day hearing with 115 speakers where at least 100 who spoke were against Beedie’s project.
Thank you to everyone who showed up, volunteered, tweeted, donated, wrote, and spoke in solidarity (except to the last guy who spoke in support of 105 Keefer because their dog was allegedly attacked in Chinatown twice, the realtor guy who introduced himself as an “affordable housing advocate”, the guy from the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden who loves “Chinatown mysticism” and said his grandfather who fought in WWII would have wanted luxury condos at 105 Keefer because that’s “progress” from people drinking “zombie juice” in the DTES, and everyone who was unwelcoming to children at City Hall).
It took all of us to show that we’re not invisible and an absolute force to be reckoned with.
But it doesn’t end here.
Development Permit Board delayed their decision for another two weeks until Monday, Jun 26th at 3pm. This means we need to keep the heat on.
Here are ways you can help:
Donate to replenish mobilization funds for the next two weeks.
Sign a 105 Keefer petition in solidarity with low-income residents of Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside that will be delivered to multiple levels of government.
Write a letter against 105 Keefer if you haven’t yet (The City isn’t receiving comments on their website anymore, but we can still send emails directly to their inboxes to keep the heat up!)
Watch the film Big Fight in Little Chinatown on June 16, 17, 19 or 20 and learn about the fights against gentrification across North American Chinatowns. Bring a friend along to inspire them to take action for Chinatown.
Stand in solidarity with Philadelphia’s Chinatown’s fight against a massive gentrifier arena that they don’t want.
Mark your calendars for Monday, Jun 26, 3pm and stay tuned for more to come!