Confucius Plaza

Confucius Plaza Apartments is a limited-equity

Beneath the building's apartments it contains the Yung Wing Public School, P.S. 124 (K-5), shops, community space, and a daycare center. The complex is located north of

One of the most frequently visited landmarks in Chinatown is the 15-foot bronze statue of Confucius, the Chinese philosopher, in front of the complex. Sculpted by Liu Shih, the statue was presented by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association as a token of appreciation, and to commemorate the U.S. bicentennial. At its base, a Confucian proverb is inscribed aside an American Flag, praising a just government with remarkable leaders of wisdom and ability.^[2][3]

During the construction of Confucius Plaza, Asian American activists organized several successful protests alleging discriminatory hiring practices by the contractor, DeMatteis Organization, for refusing to hire Asian construction workers.^[4] On May 16, 1974, a protest of 250 individuals organized by Asian Americans for Equal Employment (now Asian Americans for Equality) resulted in a work stoppage when protestors entered the construction site.^[5] Protestors held signs in English and Chinese which stated “The Asians build the railroad; Why not Confucius Plaza” and “DeMatteis, you are big racist.”^[6] Over 55 people were arrested for trespassing and disorderly conduct. Several weeks later, DeMatteis agreed to hire 27 minority workers.^[5]

A section of Second Avenue Subway tunnel was built in the 1970s, constructed concurrently with the plaza underneath it, and is lightly graffitied.^[7][8]

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