Manhattan Bridge Celebration Not Without Controversy

We received the following comment from Jan Lee, prominent Chinatown businessman and political activist, concerning the Manhattan Bridge's anniversary celebration:

It
is important to acknowledge the ABSENCE of several notable Chinatown
organizations from the celebration . Lin Sing Association, which is 109
years old, located at 46 Mott St. determined that the many horrible
deaths that have occurred at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge is
nothing to celebrate.

In fact today's Sing Tao newspaper, the largest
Chinese language paper in New York, interviews family members of
victims of traffic accidents at the Bridge. To date, after over a
decade of Chinatown advocates pleading with the City and DOT to improve
the situation at the Bridge , nothing has been done.

Following the lead of Lin Sing Association, numerous other clubs and
age old support groups have protested the celebration by not appearing
on Sunday. The Chinatown Consolidated Benevolent Association's board, in
opposition to its Board President, Justin Yu, voted NOT to participate.

Justin Yu, however, is expected by many to make an appearance. Justin Yu's daughter, it is known by many in Chinatown, works for Mayor Bloomberg in his community assistance unit.