As New York City recovered from a second night of widespread looting and destruction in the midst of protests against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd, Mayor de Blasio announced this morning that an 8pm curfew would remain in effect through Sunday. The move comes after a night of peaceful protest mixed with general disorder during which nearly 700 were arrested. That number is likely to rise as processing continues, said NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea. More →
Kids Say the Wokest Things: Wisdom From the BLM Family Protest
“I’m here, because… black is made from all the colors of windows.”
“I’m here, because… I don’t want to see my mom crying while watching the news.”
“I’m here, because… I want to protect my friends from the police.”
“I’m here, because… I want to help others.” More →
Over 50 Storefronts Smashed During Night of Mayhem in Soho
Soho was a veritable Santa’s Workshop this morning, as dozens of crews hammered away at wooden boards in a neighborhood-wide effort to cover up windows shattered by late-night and early-morning looting. More →
Looting and Shooting in Manhattan After Peaceful Protest in Brooklyn
A fourth day of protests against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd devolved into pandemonium Sunday night as a peaceful march from Downtown Brooklyn gave way to widespread looting and destruction in the streets of Manhattan. Dozens were arrested, according to the police, and a man was hospitalized after gunfire erupted in Soho. More →
NYC Might Expand Outdoor Dining, But What Would That Look Like?
With the weather warming and restaurant owners becoming increasingly desperate for guidance on reopening, the City Council introduced new legislation Thursday requiring the Department of Transportation to identify streets, sidewalks, and other public spaces suitable for outdoor dining. During a virtual roundtable discussion Friday, council members discussed the measure with over 200 small business owners and concerned citizens. More →
Photos: Protests Over George Floyd Killing Turn Violent in Brooklyn
During a third night of nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed black man in Minneapolis, New York City protesters gathered at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The demonstrations started peacefully at 6pm, but ended in clashes between protesters and the police. The photos in the above slideshow were taken from 6pm to 9pm; as of publication around midnight, altercations between demonstrators and police were ongoing throughout Brooklyn. More →
Bars Are Now Selling NYC’s Favorite Illicit Street Drink, Nutcracker
After a high-profile crackdown last summer, nutcracker has made a return. But not necessarily on city beaches, where crowds have been sparse due to poor weather, a swimming ban, and concerns about public transportation. Instead, the highly potent fruit punches– sold in 8-ounce or 16-ounce bottles– have crept onto the menus of local drinking establishments. With restaurants now allowed to serve booze to-go, several licensed establishments have started appropriating a drink usually sold illicilty out of coolers on the beach, in the subway, or on street corners. To find out whether bar-bought nutcrackers and their frozen counterparts, phrosties, pack the same punch, we uncapped a few. More →
Lucy’s Reopens, But Its Beloved Proprietress Can’t Say For How Long
Lucy… she’s home!
Two and a half months after closing her doors, one of the East Village’s most beloved barkeepers– Ludwika “Lucy” Mickevicius– was back in her namesake tavern on Avenue A yesterday, dusting off bottles and offering homemade deviled eggs to excited passersby. More →
Brazilian New Yorkers ‘Desperate’ as Travel Ban Goes Into Effect
Júlia Ururahy, 24, had great plans for her post-quarantine life: the Brazilian-born administrator hoped to start a Master’s program with financial aid at Fordham University, move to a new apartment on the Upper East Side and enjoy summer in New York.
Then came the disappointment: On May 24, President Donald Trump decided that anyone who sets foot in Brazil needs to stay in quarantine for at least 14 days in another country before travelling to the U.S. The travel ban came as Brazil became the country with the second-highest number of Covid-19 cases in the world. According to Johns Hopkins University, Brazil’s total went from 66,501 people infected on April 27 to 411,821 on May 27, the day after the ban went into effect. More →
First Sandy, Now COVID: Lower East Side Activists Grapple With Construction for Climate Project
Lower East Side and East Village community members found no solace in the news last week that construction for its $1.45 billion plan to elevate East River Park will continue in the fall, but likely not in the order the city originally announced.
Now, the community must juggle two disasters: the flood vulnerability that Superstorm Sandy revealed eight years ago and remains unchecked and the mounting concern for open park space that the COVID-19 pandemic has made urgent.