LUNAR NEW YEAR
Sunshine & sorrow
A bittersweet Lunar New Year parade
STORY AND PHOTOS
BY DEAN MOSES
The Lunar New Year Parade on
Feb. 20 brought thousands of
spectators to Lower Manhattan
for a bittersweet celebration.
Lion dancers, dragon puppets, and
a slew of city and state elected offi cials
arrived at Mott and Hester Streets to
ring in the year of the tiger — but it
wasn’t all smiles for a community that’s
felt tremendous suffering from the COVID
19 pandemic, and the pain of an
array of violent anti-Asian attacks.
The parade route was peppered with
locals decrying not only anti-Asian
hate, but also a new jail set to be placed
on the rubble of the Manhattan Detention
Center and the plea to combat the
mental health crisis.
Angry cries could be heard between
confetti pops and protest signs could
be seen sandwiched betwixt traditional
Asian outfi ts as large crowds chanted
“No new jail!” and “Save Chinatown!”
Despite the controversy, organizers
and special guests like Governor Kathy
Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams tried to
look positive and enjoy the celebration
while pledging to stand with the community
against hate by committing
funds to combat mental health.
“I walked these streets, and this was
a ghost town for too long. We came
here with Steven and others, but we
are back. And I also want to say that
the State of New York, my administration,
is committed to one program
I believe is going to make a huge difference
here. We’re putting $10 million
toward helping mental health and
social services for this community to
help people rise up, rise up and deal
with all the challenges,” Hochul said.
“We will continue to fi ght back against
every form of hate as it rears its ugly
head. We have your backs, and we
stand with the Asian community, 1.6
million strong here in the State of New
York.”
Mayor Adams also addressed the
crowd, although the head of city received
a notable lukewarm greeting
with some boos thrown his way. Still,
he attempted to shrug it off by championing
the city.
“Let me tell you what’s great about
New York is that we have 8.8 million
people, and we have 30 million opinions.
And that’s what makes New York
City an amazing place,” Adams said.
Adams, Hochul, and Senator Chuck
Schumer led the parade alongside fellow
elected offi cials while spectators
fi red confetti into the blue sky like cannon
fi re. The spectacle included fl oats,
dancers, musicians, and more.
10 February 24, 2022 Schneps Media