Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown named after Corky Lee, beloved activist and photographer
Photo: Alan Chin
A street in Manhattan’s Chinatown has been co-named after Corky Lee, the beloved Chinese American activist and photographer. Corky Lee Way, also known as Mosco Street, connects Mulberry Street and Mott Street in the heart of Chinatown.
Corky was the self-proclaimed “Undisputed Unofficial Asian American Photographer Laureate.” He dedicated his life to capturing the lives and experiences of Asian Americans through his photography.
“I had to think that every time I take my camera out of my bag, it is like drawing a sword to combat indifference, injustice and discrimination and trying to get rid of stereotypes,” Corky once said.
Corky passed away from Covid-19 on January 27, 2021. He was 73-years-old.
Mosco St in NYC Chinatown conamed Corky Lee Way for AAPI activist photography Corky Lee who died of covid jan. 2021 pic.twitter.com/RCeNyCiuWt
— Ti-Hua Chang (@tihuachang) October 22, 2023
It was an afternoon of both remembrance and celebration at the “Corky Lee Way” street co-naming in the heart of Chinatown.
— Assemblymember Steven Raga (@RagaForQueens) October 25, 2023
1/3 pic.twitter.com/kRne4NZM8v
The #ChinatownNYC community came out in force for the unveiling of Corky Lee Way on Mosco Street to honor and remember the late photographer and documentarian of #AAPI history. #Chinatown #AsianAmerican pic.twitter.com/noYRmV2Pq9
— Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) October 22, 2023
An enthusiastic crowd attended yesterday's unveiling of the new Corky Lee Way Street sign at the corner of Mosco & Mott Sts, celebrating the many important contributions photojournalist/activist Corky Lee made to the Asian American community before his untimely death 2 years ago. pic.twitter.com/m86HzVqrHb
— Lower East Side Preservation Initiative (@LESPI_nyc) October 23, 2023
