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STOP THE EROSION OF LITTLE TOKYO
By NCRR-LA
7 /25/02
This statement was in the Rafu Shimpo on July 25, 2003.
At a hurriedly-called community meeting held at the Japan America Theater in
Little Tokyo on May 12, 2003, officials of the City of Los Angeles, laid out
their plans for a new Parker Center (police headquarter, detention center/jail,
fire station and emergency center (bomb squad and anti-terror units). Considering
that this Monday night meeting was publicized through word of mouth, the turnout
of over two hundred citizens of Little Tokyo and the adjacent Art District
reflected the serious concern of the community.
It was clear that the vast majority of those in the audience
had doubts about the project. When a speaker asked for a show of hands
of those who stood in opposition, the entire audience seemed to have
their hands raised. City officials and architects appeared to deflate
like punctured balls when it became apparent that community members were
not buying what was being sold.
Initially, the apparent crux of the problem was that the proposed center would
isolate the venerable Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple from the rest of Little
Tokyo. With parking spaces in short supply and with all the activities (including
a child care center) that this temple engages in, a major police center, with
all of its security and access restrictions, would isolate Nishi from the body
of Little Tokyo. The positioning of the jail next door to the Buddhist temple
and their Child Care Programs sent a disquieting message to the parents and
teachers of the children.
On-Line Petition Against the Jail
Related Links:
Fighting for Community in Little Tokyo - 6/22/01
In Defense of Ethnic Enclaves - 9/5/01
J-Towns see Hope - 3/2/02
Little Tokyo Organizing against
Jail & LAPD Headquarters
5/14/03
