New York City Council District 30 Democratic candidate Phil Wong visited the Confucius Plaza in Chinatown on the afternoon of September 27 and met with Justin Yu, the honorary chairman of the New York Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Wong reiterated his political views and urged the Chinese community to actively participate in the general election on November 4 to safeguard their own interests.
In his speech, Justin Yu warmly welcomed Phil Wong and urged those present to actively mobilize their family and friends. He praised Wong’s practical political views, particularly emphasizing the importance of education and cultural heritage. Justin Yu emphasized that this can not only enhance the cultural and educational levels of the next generation but also help young people smoothly integrate into mainstream society, access better job opportunities, and reduce the pressure of hard work.
Thomas K. Chan, co-chair of the Greater Chinatown Alliance for Civil Rights, bluntly stated that Phil Wong is a candidate with integrity and a firm adherence to traditional values, deserving full support from the Chinese community. He emphasized that every policy of the City Council will affect the Chinese community. Chan stressed the importance of not being absent or silent. He believes that only by having more vocal representatives in the City Council who uphold Chinese values can our interests be truly protected.
Phil Wong shared his personal political journey, admitting that the election process has been extremely challenging. From collecting signatures, fundraising, to campaigning everywhere, each step has been filled with challenges. However, with a strong team and community support, he has been able to persevere until now.
Phil Wong further pointed out that during the voter registration work over the past three weeks, he was surprised to find that many citizens had not registered as voters, and some had not voted for decades. “Many people decided to register to vote for the first time upon seeing that I am a Chinese (City Council) candidate,” he said. Wong emphasized that many people believe that “one less vote doesn’t matter” or “my vote won’t affect the outcome,” but this kind of thinking is wrong.
“Every vote is a voice, every vote represents power. If we do not vote and do not elect City Council members who truly represent the interests of the Chinese, we cannot counter injustice or safeguard the community’s future,” Wong emphasized. He called on Asians to take active action, register to vote, and defend their rights with their ballots. He urged, “Remember—voting is power! Let us together make the voice of the Chinese heard.”