Mayor Cherelle Parker is backing the Sixers $1.5 billion arena plan in Center City. Why it matters: Parker's blessing is critical for the stalled project to overcome strong opposition and sends a powerful signal to fellow Democratic lawmakers to fall in line.

The announcement from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker comes just over a week after hundreds of people gathered at a town hall meeting to either voice their concerns or show their support of the proposed new Sixers Arena.

Activists rallied outside City Hall to oppose the $1.55 billion plan that aims to build a new venue near Chinatown.