The “No Arena” movement was a landmark moment for the power of everyday people organizing against displacement. On the occasion of America’s 250th Anniversary, No Arena: Making A Movement highlights a decentralized grassroots movement that was led by people of color, serving as a model for what our democracy can be.
This exhibition celebrates a movement that inspired people across the city to come together for community-led futures and against the proposed 76 Place arena development, a basketball arena proposed by billionaires, and built less than one block from Chinatown. Through archival materials, audio installations, first-hand accounts of key moments, and insight into the strategies that propelled the movement, the exhibition creates a living history of No Arena that reflects the messiness and vitality of organizing and honors the thousands of supporters who built community power to defend our city against greedy billionaires.
The exhibition is accompanied by a schedule of programs that offers a platform for continued organizing and archiving. Events will explore lessons learned and visions for the ongoing struggles to preserve our cultural heritage and history, grow our solidarity, and safeguard the health and well-being of our most vulnerable community members.
This exhibition is presented by Asian Americans United, Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, Philadelphia Folklore Project, and Asian Arts Initiative.