Years of demolition just made way for the world’s tallest jail in Manhattan’s Chinatown – higher than the Statue of Liberty. The White Street site is now prepping for construction. Throughout demolition of The Tombs, news outlets, the City’s own data, independent architects, researchers, and community advocates raised red flags about irreversible health, environmental, and structural dangers that threaten residents, business owners, and workers. Our repeated warnings to the City about long-term health and economic impacts have been met without a meaningful response or intervention.
Born out of a COVID-era grassroots movement to save local small businesses, Welcome to Chinatown has advocated against the Megajail since 2021. We’re now racing to force the City to re-assess current jail plans before construction begins. After years of forward movement without asking for financial support, we’re asking for your help for the first time, as we gear up for the next stage of this fight.
NYC’s Chinatown is highly vulnerable to accelerated displacement, having already absorbed long-term economic and health consequences of 9/11 and the pandemic. Chinatown’s businesses, residences, and livelihoods simply cannot afford to absorb another setback from construction of this depth.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT -- PROTECT CHINATOWN
There’s a very small window of time to force the administration to re-evaluate plans. We’re stepping up to lead the fight, but it’s cutting into staff time, programming, and direct services to our community and small businesses rely on every day. Your support keeps us from making difficult programmatic sacrifices.
Help us prevent the City from rushing ahead on a site they themselves deemed unstable, so we can advance a plan that ensures the timely, safe closure of the Rikers Island jail complex without risking Chinatown’s residents and business owners. Here’s what it will take to accelerate our City Hall plans and what your donation will go towards:
- Research & policy advisory activities to keep sustained pressure on elected officials, purchase / install independent air quality monitors, conduct / commission research or alternative feasibility studies
- Community engagement to keep key information flowing to you. That means town halls, translated materials, and a fellow so residents and the community stay involved.
- Communications & PR to consistently elevate this story in front of press, social media audiences, and the general public until the City hears our demands
CONSTRUCTION ISN'T WAITING. NEITHER CAN WE.
Every week without action from the City is another week of exposure to a vulnerable community. When advocates, supporters, and community members organize, and the facts are on our side, the City can be held accountable.
In 2019, Neighbors United Below Canal sued the City over this project and won, before the ruling was overturned on appeal. Last month, 18 Lower Manhattan leaders joined forces to pressure the City, and major news outlets like ABC7, FOX5, Daily News, and The NY Post are sounding safety alarms. Social media creators are also raising concerns about air quality, structural risks, and urging the Mayor to hear our demands.
Donate what you can today, then share this with those who consider Chinatown a part of their own history or home. Chinatown can’t afford to wait until tomorrow. We won’t have another chance to get this right.
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More on Our Fight, In the Press:
- ABC7 Elevated Toxins Near Jail Site
- Documented NY Researchers Uncover Health Risks
- New York Post: Leaders Warn Mayor of Risks
- NY Daily News Op-Ed Danger Below at New Jail Site
Across Social Media:
- Missing Data on Air Quality and Health Concerns
- Town Hall on City’s Gaps in Air Quality Data
- A Plea in Mandarin to Mayor Mamdani
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