“The whole reason why I initially got started was when Jing Fong first got shut down and I was passing out pamphlets at Eastbank, which is also owned by the Chu family and is one block away from the museum,” Yin said. While their new, smaller location opened in July at 202 Centre Street, many residents in Chinatown are not happy with the result and see it as a form of displacement.Īaron Yin, a member of Chinese Staff and Workers’ Association says he participated in open night mic performances in August and September of 2018 at the Museum of Chinese of America, but after hearing about Jing Fong, he knew he had to take action. Since the reopening of the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) on July 15, 2021, activists and community groups alike have picketed in front of its doors demanding Jonathan Chu, the museum’s board co-chair and a prominent Chinatown landlord be held accountable for the closure of Jing Fong, a treasured dim sum restaurant and the only unionized restaurant in Chinatown.Īfter 43 years, the Lam family, owners of Jing Fong, decided to close the 800 seat dining room at 20 Elizabeth Street on March 7, 2021, due to the loss of revenue because of the pandemic, ongoing spikes in infection rates and staff shortage, according to the restaurant. The visitor turned around to briefly acknowledge the protester before heading inside and the door closing behind them. On a sunny, chilly Sunday afternoon, a group of protesters at the Museum of Chinese in America held signs and chanted “Boycott MOCA” as people passed by on the sidewalk.Īs the security guard opened the glass door to let a visitor in, one protester called the person urging them not to enter.
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