Lunar New Year celebrated at the White House

President Biden greeted guests at the first White House observance of Lunar New Year.

Before celebrating the Lunar New Year in the White House, President Biden asked Congressmember Judy Chu, who represents Monterey Park, if it would be appropriate to continue the event so soon after the mass shootings in California.

“Judy, what should I do? Should I continue to — should I be in California or should I still have this celebration?” said Biden. "And she felt very strongly. She said, 'We have to move forward.'”

"Her message was: Don’t give into fear and sorrow. Don’t do that. Stand in solidarity in the spirit of toughness that this holiday is all about."

For the first time ever, the White House celebrated Lunar New Year last Thursday.

“For all the progress, this community has experienced profound hate, pain, and violence and loss,” Biden said. “As I’ve said before, hate can have no safe harbor in America. No person deserves to be treated in a hateful way.”

The President also made notice of Brandon Tsay, 26, who was at a second dance studio a few miles from the scene of the tragedy in Monterey Park when the same gunman entered his dance studio, holding his weapon. Tsay was able to wrestle the weapon away from the gunman, who then fled.

Biden said he spoke to Tsay and called him a "genuine hero."

Biden was introduced by Elaine Tso, CEO of Asian Services in Action in Ohio.

"It means so much to the Asian American community that the White House is hosting this first-ever Lunar New Year event," said Tso. "You know, and because of it, you know, we feel seen, we feel heard. (Applause.) And more importantly — more importantly, we feel valued and — and acknowledged as members of this amazing country that — that welcomes and supports a vibrant community from — from diverse origins."

The President also pointed to the diversity in his administration, stressing to the AAPI audience that more than 13% of his administration is of Asian and Pacific Islander background.

Biden noted that from Day One, the administration has taken steps and introduced policies to improve recognition and support for Asian Americans, including legislation to study the creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture, as well as a bill to combat the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans stemming from the pandemic.

“We cannot be silent,” Biden said Thursday. “I will not be silent.”

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