On February 26, 2021, the AYLUS RSM branch participated in the Lantern Festival hosted by CUSD Against Racism and Dear Asain Youth to show support for Asian-American communities in the face of harassment and discrimination. The members arrived at the event with red and gold lanterns graciously borrowed from Irvine Chinese School and made small cow paper cut-out lanterns.
A week before, advisor Zengru Wu and members Allison and Ethan picked up the lanterns from Irvine Chinese school to be distributed. Throughout the week, families arrived at the advisor’s home to pick up lantern materials and lanterns for the day’s festivities. The red and gold lanterns required wire to hold the structure and inserted small lights to allow them to glow in the dark. The cow lanterns were in honor of the Year of the Ox and were assembled by hand from each member and brought to the event.
On the night of, each brought their lanterns to celebrate and met at the designated park. There was an overwhelming sense of unity, peace, and joy in the environment, especially the Lion Dancing performance. It was a great experience for many of the members to connect and be informed on current issues whilst celebrating culture.
Our wonderful advisors even made it on the LA Times! https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-03-02/an-asian-american-family-in-o-c-was-being-harassed-now-their-neighbors-stand-guard
Allison: 10 hours
Katie, Stella, Ethan, Eva, Jane, Jasmine, Steven, Diana: 4 hours