Lunar New Year: New York Congresswoman Grace Meng introduces bill to create federal holiday

NEW YORK — With the kickoff of Lunar New Yr on Tuesday, there’s a rising push to make it a federal vacation.

A congresswoman in New York introduced on Monday proposed laws that may make Lunar New Yr a federally acknowledged vacation within the U.S.

“With Asian People being the quickest rising inhabitants in our nation, and with the recognition of the vacation persevering with to develop, it is smart to make Lunar New Yr a federal vacation,” stated Congresswoman Grace Meng, who represents the New York Metropolis borough of Queens.

For 2 years now, Asian People and Pacific Islanders throughout the nation have endured racist verbal, bodily and typically lethal assaults fueled by the coronavirus pandemic.

With the beginning of the Lunar New Yr, many are wanting ahead to finishing up household traditions and becoming a member of in neighborhood celebrations all through February.

These embody household dinners and giving kids purple envelopes stuffed with cash. New York, Chicago and San Francisco are among the many cities with parades deliberate later this month of their respective Chinatowns.

The Yr of the Tiger – a Chinese language zodiac image that represents energy and braveness – is also the right time to persuade Asian elders who’ve lived in worry due to widespread anti-Asian sentiment to affix within the festivities.

“The time has come to make this occur. My invoice, coupled with my decision, would show that the vacation celebrated by tens of millions can also be valued by their authorities,” Meng stated.

The congresswoman additionally reintroduced a Home decision that may acknowledge the cultural and historic significance of Lunar New Yr.

On Tuesday, she marked the anniversary of Lunar New Yr changing into a faculty vacation in New York Metropolis, a public vacation that she performed a task in creating in 2016.

Whereas most Lunar New Yr revelry was sidelined final yr due to COVID-19, many outside occasions are returning with organizers encouraging masking for the general public however mandating them for employees.

The assorted parades will function floats, marching bands, lion dances – and even “Star Wars” cosplayers in San Francisco.

The Related Press contributed to this report