An estimated 500,000 people lined the streets of New York’s Chinatown in crisp, cool, sunny weather to enjoy the 26th annual Lunar New Year Parade and welcome the Year of the Dragon. The parade is a celebration of America’s Chinese community, culture, and contribution to the city.
US Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, praised the Asian American community as the face of the American Dream, pointed with pride at marshalling legislation to protect the AAPI community from hate crimes, and declared his support for immigration reform.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul hailed the “large and growing AAPI community..This is what makes us so incredible, that the rest of the world wants to be here,” and promised to fight against hate and bigotry.
New Yorkers including the leading federal, state and local elected came out in droves to celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Rabbit, and show support for Manhattan’s Chinatown, home of one of the largest Chinese American communities in the nation.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (who even sang a few bars from “New York, New York”), New York City Mayor Eric Adams, NY District Attorney Alvin Bragg and FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh joined in the 25th annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade through Chinatown.
Parade goers delighted in seeing the dragons (the dragon is a symbol of longevity and prosperity) and lion dances, colorful traditional costumes, bursts of confetti, and other rituals and symbols.
