2012 Lunar New Year Parade in Flushing, New York Attracts Thousands

Thousands of people turned out to celebrate the Lunar New Year on Saturday at Flushing's annual parade in Queens, New York.

Today Chinese is the predominant ethnic group in Flushing, and Asian people make up at least 40 percent of the population.

Several local public officials took part in the parade.

[Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President]:
“You know we are a city of immigrants, we speak 170 different languages from 220 countries.”

Unlike the Brooklyn and Manhattan Chinatown parades, where some groups were not allowed to attend, no Chinese consulate officials were invited to attend the Flushing parade.

[Peter Tu, Chairman of Parade Committee]:
“In my parade, I only invited the representatives from the United States of America. I don’t invite both sides of the Taiwan Strait. So I don’t want any political bothers getting involved in my time.”

For the parade organizers it was about celebrating diversity in the Queens community.

[Peter Tu, Chairman of Parade Committee]:
“We have our goal, we want one day, the lunar New Year can be a public holiday.”

Forty-five groups took part in the parade. And it was not limited to only those of Asian descent. There were several local marching bands, and some local businesses.

Among all the groups that were showcased, Falun Gong was a favorite for many onlookers.

[Ms. Chan, Parade Audience]:
 "I have been waiting here since quite early. Of all the parade participants I feel that Falun Gong has the most spirit, the most disciplined, it’s really great.”

Falun Gong is a spiritual group heavily persecuted in Mainland China. In recent years Communist Party supporters had attacked Falun Gong members on Flushing’s Main Street. This year Falun Gong freely took part in the parade.

[Ms. Dong, Parade Audience]:
“Really, really beautiful. Each person has a really nice appearance, danced really well, really unified.”

A large contingent of local Korean’s also took part, including Korean War veterans, and those giving the audience a taste of traditional Korean culture.

After the parade, some headed to the Taiwan Center, for mingling, snacks and performances.

[Zhang Weiting, Taiwan Tourism Bureau New York Office]:
“We want Taiwan’s tourism, through the method of tea tasting, in a kind of warm and humane way, just to get together with locals and connect.”

The Chinese New Year period will officially end on Monday with the final celebration of the New Year—the Lantern Festival.

NTD News, New York