Amid the dancing and cultural pride felt at Wentworth and Clark on Sunday, there is a strong stance for immigrant community that beats beneath this celebration.
"The general trends are wealth and prosperity and happiness for everyone," said Edward Huang, who lives in Chinatown. "Especially for the Chinese community that's built on immigrants settling here in Chicago. It's like a yearly annual reminder that we are all still one community, sticking together."
Light Up Chinatown, an event put on by the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and several other Asian American organizations, ushers in the Chinese Lunar New Year with lights, joy, and community spirit.
This year is the year of the horse. The Chinese zodiac is known for energy, passion, and action.
"It, kind of, is a reminder for us as immigrants to all stick together and to charge forward, as well, no matter what happens," Huang said.
This comes as the Trump administration's immigration crackdown has seen multiple shootings by federal agents, including one fatal shooting in suburban Franklin Park, and more recently, two deadly shootings in Minnesota.
"Let this be a year of unity and strength as the year of the horse charges us to do. It's to lead with love and to have healthy resistance and a rebellion to ensure that our city remains a welcoming city," said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
"It just made me feel great that people are here. We are not afraid to gather. We should be able to celebrate our cultures freely without fear of ICE agents around racially profiling people. Now is a time more than ever for us to show strength and unity as a community," said 11th Ward Ald. Nicole Lee.
The Lunar New Year officially begins Feb. 17 with the Lunar New Year parade set for March 1.