In tandem with American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mayor Eric Adams recently announced that NYC will host the first annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Cultural and Heritage Parade this Sunday, May 15th.
The parade will be hosted by Better Chinatown USA, the same organization that puts on the Lunar New Year Parade. It will celebrate generations of Asian American and Pacific Islanders, as NYC is home to the second-largest AAPI population in the country.
We're proud to announce the New York City’s first annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Cultural and Heritage Parade and pay tribute to the generations of New Yorkers from the Asian and Pacific diaspora!#AAPIHeritageMonth pic.twitter.com/jwPsym64hD
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) May 11, 2022
“Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrates New Yorkers who contribute to the rich culture that makes New York the greatest city in the world,” said Mayor Adams. “As we work to combat a spike in hate crimes, it is important to support and uplift our AAPI brothers and sisters.”
New Yorkers are encouraged to attend the monumental parade that will begin at 10:45 am and march up 6th Avenue from West 44th Street to West 55th Street.
“This parade signifies a historical moment where Asian, South Asian & Pacific Islander Americans all come together at the heart of our diverse city to celebrate cultures and traditions while amplifying our voice in unity,” said Dr. Bindu Babu, event co-chair, Asian American and Pacific Islander Cultural and Heritage Parade.
The American Pacific Islander parade will follow the first-ever Japan parade that will run adjacent to Central Park on May 14th.
“In these pandemic times and with Anti-Asian intolerance, division, and hatred on the rise, it is so important for all of us to come together to celebrate our collective humanity — in a rare historic parade — as it is about time that we march together with each other to show our solidarity,” said Wellington Z. Chen, executive director, Chinatown BID/Partnership.
Parade goers can expect enteraining music and dance from companies like Victory Music & Dance Company Inc., of Brownsville, for a day that’s sure to be filled with festivities!