Chinatown Jail Update: Call for A Seat at the Table
Press, influencers, and community leaders recently gathered over dinners co-hosted by Grace Young (award winning cookbook author and Welcome to Chinatown’s Chinatown Champion of the Year) , Neighbors United Below Canal, and Welcome to Chinatown to learn about the imminent threat to Chinatown posed by the jail’s demolition.
At Hakka Cuisine, New York City's first Hakka restaurant, we explored the dire consequences of the mega jail and emphasized the urgent need for the Chinatown community to be heard in the city's plans. At Pasteur Grill, Chinatown's beloved Vietnamese restaurant, we witnessed firsthand the impacts of jail demolition across the street while celebrating Pasteur’s rich history and culinary legacy. Both dinners served as powerful reminders of the urgent need to protect Chinatown's future.
As the Manhattan Detention Center's demolition proceeds, Chinatown's leaders and elected officials are tirelessly fighting for the community's right to influence the jail's size and scale before the contract is awarded. The impact of this towering jail is immense, affecting the environment, culture, and economy of Chinatown, with these effects already taking hold. These gatherings were a call to action, highlighting the crucial importance of giving the community a genuine seat at the table alongside transparency and an independent monitor.
To send a letter to the Mayor's office supporting the community’s asks for a seat at the table, go to bit.ly/ChinatownSeat.
Stay informed about ongoing advocacy efforts, City Hall meetings, and ways to support the cause following Neighbors United Below Canal and signing up for their newsletter at nubcnyc.com/contact
#supportchinatowns #scalethejail #aseatatthetable #supportchinatownNYC #fulltransparency
