New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that the first annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Cultural and Heritage Parade in New York City will be held on May 15, 2022. The parade comes as New Yorkers celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, as well as New York City’s being home to the second-largest Asian American and Pacific Islander population in the United States. AAPI Heritage Month pays tribute to the generations of Asian American and Pacific Islanders who have enriched New York’s history for generations.
“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. We are 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.”
“Now more than ever, it is important to support New Yorkers in the AAPI community and reflect on the rich Asian American and Pacific Islander history,” said Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit Commissioner Fred Kreizman. “The Adams administration is proud to announce the first-ever Asian American and Pacific Islanders Cultural and Heritage Parade. Together, we will recognize the important contributions of AAPI New Yorkers of the past and celebrate the ones to come in the future.”
“We at Better Chinatown USA are extremely excited about organizing this historic first Asian Pacific American Cultural and Heritage Parade in Midtown,” said Steven Tin, director, Better Chinatown USA. “We are very thankful to Mayor Adams’ office, especially CAU Commissioner Kreizman, Special Events Office & NYPD, for this great opportunity to showcase the exciting Asian Pacific American Cultural Heritage to the American mainstream and our younger generation.”
The inaugural parade will take place on 6th Avenue, proceeding north from West 44th Street to West 55th Street. The parade will begin at 10:45 AM.
“We are thankful to Mayor Eric Adams, CAU Commissioner Fred Kreizman, Winnie Greco, NYPD, and the City Hall staff all working together quickly and made this parade a reality,” said Robin Mui, event co-chair, Asian American and Pacific Islander Cultural and Heritage Parade. “This is the right time to unite the Asian to fight Asian Hate Crimes and remind them to register to vote and be counted.”
“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.
“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.
“When I first came to New York City, working as a peddler in Manhattan, I remember being amazed at the Puerto Rican Day Parade, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and the Columbus Day Parade. I never dreamed I would one day lead Korean New Yorkers down sixth avenue for the first Asian Pacific American Heritage Parade,” said John Park, founder, Korean American Community Empowerment Council. “I thank Mayor Adams for finally giving Asian New Yorkers the celebration we deserve!”.
“Victory Music & Dance Company Inc., of Brownsville, Brooklyn, is delighted to be participating in the first annual Asian American Pacific Islander Cultural and Heritage Parade,” said Nicole Williams, founder and executive director, Victory Music & Dance Company Inc. “Our youth are excited about the opportunity to unite the community through music and dance!”.
