Speaking at the Sept. 18 rally, Katie Garth, a cofounder of No Arena Washington Square West, called the proposal a “land grab by billionaires.”

While the mayor and the 76ers’ owners boast that the project would “create jobs,” opponents point out that the construction workers required to build the arena could be employed to build it or another project anywhere else in the city. The jobs available once an arena opens would tend to be part-time, low wage jobs.

Hundreds of concession-stand workers currently employed by Aramark at Philadelphia’s three major sports facilities who are demanding higher wages and benefits, began striking on Sept. 23 when the company refused to meet their demands.

The Save Chinatown Coalition, composed of over 245 organizations, small businesses, community organizations and faith congregations and hundreds of individuals has been outspoken about their opposition. They have staged countless demonstrations, including one on Sept. 7, when 4,000 people filled the streets of Center City.