Hundreds Show Support for SF Chinatown College Campus

SAN FRANCISCO -- Hundreds of Chinese Americans gathered in historic Portsmouth Square to call for support for a new college campus in San Francisco's Chinatown, reports the Chinese-language newspaper World Journal. Speakers at the protest criticized California State Assemblymembers Leland Yee and Fiona Ma for opposing the project. However, Ma told the World Journal that the community has misunderstood her position regarding the college campus. She said that she supports the building and believes that it can benefit new immigrants and low-income students. The proposed 16-story campus for the City College of San Francisco would be across from Portsmouth Square Park and next to the Hilton Hotel in Chinatown. Critics of the building proposal say the building casts a shadow over the park, but supporters allege that opposition of the building is backed by powerful lobbyists.