Chinatown Thoughts pt. 10

How would you make Chinatown a better environment to live in? What would you change, what would you keep?

i have a huge concern about the Dash. it needs to run more frequently. every 30 mins too long. a lot of elderlies uses em. and also most stops are missing benches (i want those fancy ones that keeps you away from direct sunlight and rain)

Chinatown Residents and Supporters Organize Contingent for June 30th March and Rally Against Wal-Mart

Who: Chinatown Community For Equitable Development

What: CCEDCommunity Contingent at June 30^th Rally Against Wal-Mart

When: Saturday, June 30^th, 2012, 9:30am

Where: Chinatown Metro Station,

Visuals: Lion Kung Fu & Lion Dance Troupe, Korean Drummers, Signs, 10-Foot Banner

Los Angeles, CA - Chinatown Community for Equitable Development (CCED), a community group seeking to revitalize Chinatown’s neighborhood, is organizing a Chinatown contingent for the Saturday, June 30^th march and rally against Wal-Mart. Thousands are expected to attend Saturday’s rally.

Since hearing about Wal-Mart’s plans to open up a store in Chinatown, CCED organizers have gone door-to-door in the residential and commercial sections of Chinatown to speak with residents and merchants, who overwhelmingly responded that Wal-Mart will do more harm than good. Many long-time residents feel that Wal-Mart is an affront to the neighborhood’s vibrant, multi-ethnic immigrant culture.

CCED spokesperson King Cheung stated: “Often, when Wal-Mart comes in, small businesses are driven out.  We don’t need the pollution and we don’t need the traffic.  We really need to attract businesses that provide a living wage and decent health benefit.  We don’t see Wal-Mart providing these.”

Within a matter of weeks, over a thousand supporters, residents, store owners, and workers signed the petition opposing Wal-Mart’s efforts to move into Chinatown and in support of CCED’s efforts.  Youth organized a meeting while business owners have met several times as well to talk about Chinatown’s needs for good jobs, good environment, affordable housing, and good education, none of which include Wal-Mart’s poor labor practices.

Many in the community want to maintain the traditions and cultures of the Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian and other immigrant sectors of historic Chinatown and to build a community that better serves both residents and local merchants.

CCED is asking for Chinatown residents, merchants and supporters to meet below the Metro Gold Line Station in Chinatown (corner of College and Spring Streets) at 9:30 am on June 30^th to join labor and other civic organizations to say “No Wal-Mart in Chinatown.”  The Chinatown contingent will be led by the Chinatown Kung Fu and Lion Dance Troupe.

Chinatown Community for Equitable Development, founded in March 2012, is an organization of community activists, residents, business owners, workers, and youth united for a better Chinatown.  CCED is working towards good jobs, clean environment, recreational spaces, affordable housing, and good education.

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Chinatown Thoughts pt. 9

What do you appreciate about Chinatown?

Chinatown’s thriving and unique sense of authentic community makes one feel at home - even if you are not Chinese. Chinatown’s mom and pop shops & long-standing buildings are a testament to Los Angeles’ diverse melting pot of ethnic enclaves.

Tomorrow

Note #1: Please bring water; sunscreen; noisemakers and signs.

Note #2: We love you. Thank you for all your hard work in promoting our cause.

Weather Report: beautiful mid-80s as expected in beautiful Los Angeles

Directions: Link 

Twitter: For hashtags, use #nowm or #wmtfail

Videos for Motivation

• Chinatown Youth Blast Wal-Mart
• Stop the Invasion of Wal-Mart
• No Wal-Mart in Chinatown

Chinatown Thoughts pt. 8

If you were asked to speak about the education available to Chinatown residents, what would you say?

The education available to Chinatown residents is sufficient but not culturally broad enough. Speaking from the perspective of a student that was bused to the San Fernando Valley for school, I was shocked by the lack of cultural diversity that I wasn’t aware of when I went to school in Chinatown.

Chinese Chants: Set #2

Here are a couple more from our brothers and sisters from Chinese Progressive Association - San Francisco & CAAAV

What do we want?

公议！Gong Yee! (justice!)

When do we want it?

现在！ Yee Ga! (now!)

Fight for justice！

争取     Zeng Choi  (fight for)

正义！ Zing Yee (justice)

团结一致，Toon geet yut zee

众志成城! Zong zee sing sing!

(Chinese proverb that means, people united will never be defeated!

Chinatown Community for Equitable Development’s Facebook Page

Please LIKE us!

https://www.facebook.com/ccedla

Chinese Chants

We’re getting ready. It’s heating up. Let’s practice some Chinese chants.

Chant #1: People Unite 
CALL: 人民！Yun Mun! (people)
RESPONSE: 团结！Toon Geet! (unite!)

Chant #2: Who are the 99? We are the 99! 
Call: 邊個係99？Bin goh hai Gau Sup Gau?
Response: 我哋係99！Ngoh dei hai Gau Sup Gau!

Livetweeting on 6/30

If you’re livetweeting on 6/30, please be sure to use:

#nowm

We want to track your experiences. We are so pumped for the march in stopping the proposed Walmart from opening in Chinatown!

Video: Chinatown Youth Blast Wal-Mart in Their Community

Stop the Invasion of Wal-Mart!