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When he looks at the elevated Embarcadero Freeway, Mayor Art Agnos sees an opportunity to tear down an aging eyesore and replace it with a sunken parkway that would more befit one of the most scenic parts of a most scenic city.
When Chinatown merchants look at Agnos' plan, all they see is red.
Agnos' proposal to raze the double-deck waterfront freeway, which has been closed to traffic and propped up with timbers since last October's earthquake, has renewed an old argument over what to do with a highway San Francisco never wanted but now may be unable to live without.
Merchants from the city's northeast corner-Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach and especially Chinatown-argue that the Embarcadero is essential to bring customers and commuters into the city.
Chinatown community leaders say they will illustrate their displeasure with the idea of losing the freeway by closing down their neighborhood shops Monday and flooding City Hall with protesters while the Board of Supervisors takes up the issue.
"It is the first time in 205 years of Chinese history in the United States that we've had any kind of protest or movement," said Rose Pak, blunt-talking spokeswoman for the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. "Shutting down business is a very strong political statement. It's unheard of."
She said 600 of Chinatown's 850 business owners had agreed by Thursday to close their doors from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday. She said this is a measure of how important...