#lnysolidarity
Projection art from last night’s #Asians4BlackLives action at the SF Chinese New Year parade.
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#Asians4BlackLives at the Lunar New Year Parade in SF.
The image of the lines is the image for the I-Ching’s symbol of Revolution - fire under the lake where two forces combat and social change must happen.
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See Storify here. Photos available here.
For Immediate Release
March 7, 2015
SAN FRANCISCO– As hundreds of thousands gathered in San Francisco’s Chinatown to celebrate the Lunar New Year, #Asians4BlackLives used large-scale artwork and light projections to share their wishes for safety, justice, and resilience for Black communities.
To maintain the Chinese tradition of hanging red scrolls and handing out red envelopes to extend blessings, #Asians4BlackLives members lined the parade route with 10-feet-tall lanterns decorated with red scrolls reading “Everyone benefits when we value black lives.” They handed out over 1000 red envelopes with blessings in solidarity with Black Lives Matter.
“Lunar New Year celebrations are about setting the foundation for a prosperous year,” said Sydney Fang of #Asians4BlackLives. “Black communities nationwide have been standing up to state-sanctioned violence and fighting for their liberation. As Asian Americans, we have the power and responsibility to stand on the side of justice. We are passing out red envelopes here to share our wishes for safety, justice, and resilience of Black communities, so that all communities can prosper.”
Another Chinese New Year tradition is that of repaying debts to start the new year on a positive note. #Asians4BlackLives recognizes the debts owed to their ancestors who have sacrificed for them and protected them, as well as the debts they owe to Black movement activists and leaders. “Many of the rights that we enjoy as Asian Americans were fought for and won by Black liberation movements, including voting rights protections, desegregation in schools, and an end to Asian immigration bans. We stand on the shoulders of Black organizers who have fought against racial inequality and institutional oppression. Their organizing has benefited Asian American communities in America. And it is our duty to honor and recognize it. Paying this debt means continuing to fight for Black lives because our struggles are connected,” said Sydney.
“Often times, Black and Asian communities are pitted against each other. Asians are seen as the “Model Minority.” We are here to say that we are not a wedge, and we are not each other’s enemies. This is why it is important for Black and Asian communities to stand together during this time,” said Navina Khanna of the activist group.
San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar also demonstrated support for the actions during the Parade by wearing a “#BlackLivesMatter” t-shirt.
#Asians4BlackLives is calling on other Asian Americans to join the struggle in solidarity with Black lives. “We need our communities to join us in challenging anti-black racism by talking with your family and co-workers or supporting organized direct actions to call for an end to the war on Black people,” said Navina Khanna. “Our communities’ liberation depends on the liberation of Black people. As we wrap up the Lunar New Year celebrations and welcome the year of the Ram, we will make this the year that we stomp on injustice”
Press Contact: Sydney Fang, 510-703-1311
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We’re celebrating Lunar New Year by honoring the history of Asian-Black solidarity and calling on Asian Americans to stand with Black Lives Matter. Which side are you on?
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#Asians4BlackLives is celebrating the Year of the Ram by supporting safety, justice, and resilience for Black communities.
We’re passing out red envelopes at the San Francisco Chinese New Year parade to ask our communities to reflect on Black Lives Matter and their relationship to the movement. We were inspired by DC Asians in solidarity: solidarityenvelopes.tumblr.com
One of the traditions we honor today is repaying our debts in order start the new year on a positive note. Today, we are paying homage to the great debt we owe to Black struggle. As Asian Americans, we enjoy many rights that were fought for and won by Black liberation movements, from civil rights to immigration reform. Today, we too have the power to stand on the side of justice.
The act of giving red envelopes is a way to share luck, well wishes and prosperity. We wish you and your family a happy and safe Year of the Ram, and hope you will join us in the Black Lives Matters movement and conversation by collectively wishing the same for Black folks as well.
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Pig/Boar
affectionate, genuine, trusting, strong-willed, gentle-hearted
Heed the Goat’s bounty and strength to gather and organize loved ones, new and newer, to affirm life. A favorable year yields fulfillment, more love, 1-on-1’s, deepening relationships, and opportunities to resist, educate, and empower.
Check out what’s in store for the rest of the zodiac.
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Dog
justice, honest, purposeful, motivational, sincere
For the Dog, a noble zodiac in transition from the friendly Horse year, justice and fairness are strong attributes that manifest personally and in collective community. This year, your empathetic nature is a reminder to know when to love fiercely and when to be a supportive ally.
Check out what’s in store for the rest of the zodiac.
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Chicken/Rooster
strong memory, present, working ethic, restorative, tactful
Building movements asks for a strong amount of focus. In this 2015 Year of Resistance, it is you, kind chicken/rooster, who can provide the balance, alignment, resourcefulness, and commitment needed to parallel the Goat’s leaps toward equity.
Check out what’s in store for the rest of the zodiac.
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Monkey
warming, ingenuous, knowledge-seeking, humorous, resourceful
The Goat reminds us that balance is key. Like successful organizing, consider making time to plan, commit to self- and group-care, and clarify and understand roles. Aligning your head with your heart ensures being grounded with purpose, especially because the year of the Monkey is next!
Check out what’s in store for the rest of the zodiac.
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Goat/Ram/Sheep
adaptable, easygoing, generous, free creativity, beauty
Oh, goat! Your creativity and thoughtfulness brings steady long-term visioning, complementing how your solid hooves can pounce when urgent times call for urgent measures. Your compassionate feelings will help remind us why lives matter, and your intuitive heart will help us unchain and break free towards greener pastures.
Check out what’s in store for the rest of the zodiac.
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Horse
lively, active, bold, brave, optimistic
Your independent and free spirit continues on this year, along with an orientation to recharge and ground yourself in confidence. Remember that building a movement is a group effort - seek companionship, ask for clarity, and trust, trust, trust.
Check out what’s in store for the rest of the zodiac.
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Snake
intuitive, contemplative, gathered strength, generous, determined
Practicing self-awareness of emotions and heeding others’ vibes are essential to the snake’s relationship to the free-spirited Goat. An auspicious year brings opportunities to strike at the status quo, figure out the root of things, and follow your heart to do what you love with community.
Check out what’s in store for the rest of the zodiac.
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Dragon
youthful, witty, open, visionary, instinctual
Breathe deep, loving dragon. An adventurous past Horse year, transitioning to this Goat year, yields a time to personally pause, think, reflect, and stretch. It is with these moments that Dragons allow for inner growth, deep truth-telling, and more creative imagination with community.
Check out what’s in store for the rest of the zodiac.
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