Vancouver Lunar New Year parade reverses exclusion of progressive groups

Organizers of the Vancouver Chinatown Lunar New 12 months parade have modified course and rescinded their rejection of two progressive and LGBTQ+ teams that they beforehand barred from collaborating.

Organizing committee spokesman Frank Huang says letters have been despatched to the teams Chinatown Collectively and Lunar New 12 months For All, approving their participation in Sunday’s parade.

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Chinatown celebrates the ‘12 months of the Dragon’

Huang didn’t give any causes for the reversal in a short interview in Mandarin late Friday.

In earlier letters and statements, the committee had instructed Chinatown Collectively that it couldn’t march due to a ban on “political activism,” whereas it rejected one other group it didn’t establish due to  “the potential for disruption and protests.”

Afterward Friday, the 2 teams, Chinatown Collectively and Vancouver Lunar New 12 months For All Queer Lunar New 12 months, issued an announcement saying they need a public apology from the committee and a dedication to clear communication for all future parades.

Sunday’s Spring Pageant Parade in Vancouver is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary and marks the 12 months of the dragon, which begins on Saturday.

Further cops might be deployed to the parade and celebrations, however Vancouver police say there aren’t any particular public security dangers and the transfer is geared toward managing the massive crowd.

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Vancouver Chinatown Lunar New 12 months parade prepares for fiftieth anniversary