By Karen Rubin, News-Photos-Features.com, [email protected]

An estimated 500,000 people lined the streets of New York’s Chinatown in crisp, cool, sunny weather to enjoy the 26^th 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.

Manhattan’s Chinatown is home to the largest Chinese American community in the nation.

Both were cheered as they walked through the streets.

Here are photo highlights.

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