By Randall Yip, Executive Editor

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie arrived in Chinatown Thursday night to the beat of drums and cymbals and the enthusiastic participation of lion dancers to celebrate his inauguration earlier that day.

Some 800 people packed the Far East Restaurant on the city’s historic Grant Avenue for a traditional Chinese banquet that included Peking Duck, shrimp and bok choy, but not before setting off a 10-foot-long string of firecrackers suspended from high in the air.

Lurie declared that he and his wife, Becca Prowda, decided there was no other choice but to end his first day in office in Chinatown.

“It’s about the AAPI and Chinese community all over this city- in every neighborhood and in every district. This community is what powers our city and you have my commitment that the AAPI and Chinese community will have an ally and a friend in me every single day.”

He pledged that his administration would be “defined not only by change, but accountability and service to the people of San Francisco”

A host of dignitaries and celebrities joined the festivities including City Attorney David Chiu, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, actress Joan Chen and Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi. Former San Francisco Mayors Willie Brown and Frank Jordan along and State Senator Scott Wiener along with members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisor were also spotted.

Recently named Lurie’s Chief of Public Safety Paul Yep also attended. He referenced not only the decline in crime in the city, but also what he feels is a sense of fear.

“The data says one thing but how people feel is just as important, if not more important” he told AsAmNews. “I’m going to have a direct role in coordinating all the public safety and emergency response departments in San Francisco to make sure that we’re aligned with the mayor’s office directives.”

The mayor’s top priorities, he says, are the Fentanyl crisis, public safety and economy.

“It’s about leadership, about strategy and about directives. That comes from the top and I’m excited about what our new Mayor Lurie has planned for the city.”

Outside up and down Grant Avenue, banners proclaimed “Chinatown celebrates Mayor Daniel Lurie. A street festival attracted an estimated 10,000 – 15,000 people and featured food and items from Chinatown merchants as well as entertainment.

Highlighting the evening was Grammy nominated electronic music producer and San Franciscan Steven Zhu.

Lurie said he needed to leave the banquet early so that he could enjoy the festival.

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