More than 500 supporters of all ages came out to "Lend A Hand," and show their support for a multi-use recreation center in Little Tokyo. Braving rainy weather, young basketballers dressed in team jerseys and holding basketballs, martial arts enthusiasts in white gi, seniors in gateball team shirts, and families living in the area gathered on the block where the only available site for this project is located–First Street North.

Joined by Assembleyman Gil Cedillo and Warren Furutani, Community College Trustee and long-time community activist, the group walked around the block down First Street answering the chant, "What do you want?" With a boisterous "A rec center in Little Tokyo!"

The site, bordered by the 100/442/MIS Memorial, Japaense American National Museum, Geffen Contemporary Museum (MOCA), as well as the Union Center for the Arts and historical business district along First Street, is not supported by City Council member Rita Walters.

Earlier, Walters said she preferred "green space" in the spot, favoring an "Art Park" concept proposed by MOCA. Rec Center supporters then embarked on a five-year search of 27 other sites in the area. Earlier this year, Walters expedited relocation of the Children's Museum onto the site, spurring Rec Center supporters to question her motives for opposing their project.

The campaigna has garnered broad support with close to 100 community, sports, senior, religious, labor and campus organizations signed-on as endorsers. However, JANM and MOCA, the two groups intrusted with $350,000 in City and Federal funds to conduct planning for the block, have stated that they support the project, but only on another site.

Following the rally, representatives of the Councilwoman explained that she also supports the project, but not on that site, leaving supporters frustrated. There is no other site available.

The City Council is due to finalize a Master Plan for the block by the end of the year. Many attending the rally wrote letters of support to their Council members. The letters will be presented to the Council body to show the breadth and depth of support for the Rec Center on that site.

The highlight of the day was the collection of hundreds of handprints for a visual peitition to be presented to the Council with names and ages of "signers" ranging from 19 months to 79 years old. The handprint petition will someday hang in the completed Rec center as a reminder of the many hands involved in the project's success.

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Check out Wataru Ebihira's page or the pre-Rally article for more on the rally.

Please visit JA*net and share your thoughts about the rally in the community forum