Celebrate AAPI Diversity and Inclusivity
—- Make Lunar New Year an Official Holiday

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultural heritage, history, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) to the United States. 

AAPIs have contributed significantly to American society. Honoring the unique experiences, traditions, and cultures of AAPIs provides an opportunity to alleviate the anti-Asian sentiment and demonstrate unity, solidarity, and allyship.  Therefore, we are advocating for making Lunar New Year an official holiday. Lunar New Year is celebrated by over 1.5 billion people around the world, including many AAPI communities here in the United States. Making Lunar New Year an official holiday is a step towards accepting Asian Americans as an integral part of the society, promoting inclusion and recognition of AAPI culture and traditions, and fostering understanding and respect.

Join us in advocating for Lunar New Year to be recognized as an official holiday in Massachusetts, the birthplace of the American spirit. Let us celebrate the diversity and unity of AAPI communities, advocate for social justice, and appreciate the richness of AAPI culture.


Event Details:

Date: May 20, 2023

(1) Boston Marathon Route Relay Race

8:00-12:00 Boston Marathon route relay race with the theme of celebrating AAPI — making the Lunar New Year an official holiday.

How to participate in the relay race:  contact co-hosting running clubs from:

#01: Hey Runners Club
#02: Niumanman Running Club
#03: Central Mass Chinese Runners Association
#04: Xiliang Running Club
#05: Woniu Running Club
#06: Andover Running Club
#07: Biao Running Club
#08: Borun Running Club
#09: CFN Running Club
#10: BCAA Running Club

Here are the addresses of the water stops along the relay route:

  • Hopkinton Starting Point: 6 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748
  • Framingham water stop #1: 417 Waverly Street, Framingham, MA 01702
  • Wellesley water stop #2: 74 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02482
  • Newton water stop #3: 1701 Commonwealth Ave, Newton, MA 02465
  • Brookline water stop #4: 1353 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446
  • Boston Common Ending Point: Parkman Bandstand Boston Common, Boston, MA 02111

 

If you like to run the last 2+ miles, (from Brookline to Boston commons), please use the link below to sign up:

https://forms.gle/xJceF3nuNnxSCXst7

 

(2) Boston Common AAPI Heritage Month Festival

10:45-14:15 Boston Common AAPI Heritage Month Festival, co-hosted with Coalition for Anti-Racism and Equity, Inc (CARE) and the Asian Community Fund at the Boston Foundation (ACF), and other Asian American and Pacific Islander community organizations.

How to participate at Boston Common to celebrate life in an inclusive society:

  • 10:45 Cultural performances at Parkman Bandstand
  • 12:05 Pick up spectator flags at the intersection of Charles Street and Boylston Street or at Parkman Bandstand Boston Common.  Then join the runners in finishing the relay at the Parkman Bandstand.
  • 12:45 Invited speeches and cultural performances at Parkman Bandstand.  Speakers invited include the following:
    • Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll
    • State Audit Diana Dizoglio
    • Boston Mayor Michelle Wu
    • City Councilor President Ed Flynn
    • State Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven
    • State Rep. Vanna Howard
    • Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Linda Champion
    • Medford City Councilor Justin Tseng
  • 14:15 Open mic speech
  • 14:45 Group picture of NECAA, all organizations, and volunteers

If you like to volunteer or help, please use the link below to sign up:

https://forms.gle/EwN88jv3QbxKQzuj6

Find out more about NECAA: NECAA Milestones

新英格兰华人联盟(NECAA)是一个立足于本地的非盈利性组织,旨在推动华人积极参与社区活动和关注政治事务,从身边的点滴做起,为了争取在美华人的基本权益而不懈努力。今后,NECAA还将持续推出一系列的公民和政治讲座,号召华人一起来了解这些与我们自身息息相关的政治事务。