Still, we had a nice time at the tree (half) lighting this past Sunday. xo
Photo by Steven
As a reminder of what this is about: A group of East Village residents, including author Jeremiah Moss and EVG contributor Stacie Joy, is hosting a Community Holiday Feast in Tompkins Square Park.
Ryan Bock’s signature black, grey and white paintings usher viewers into a circus-y soiree hosted by an East Village favorite and locally celebrated space, Ki Smith Gallery.
ESCR is one of many critical life-saving infrastructure projects needed to protect NYC residents from the devastating impacts of climate change. Without the completion of ESCR to provide flood protection, a resilient park, and improved drainage systems, Lower East Side including NYCHA's infrastructure will remain susceptible to deterioration, putting the future of residents at great risk of loss of life, evacuation, and potential loss of homes.
Frontline Communities Coalition refutes the misinformation campaign specifically targeted to play into the fears of people of color and the residents of public housing. ESCR is about saving lives and in doing so it will also save the homes and East River Park itself for future generations.
This morning, the rally takes place at 11 on Sixth Street at FDR Drive between the Jacob Riis and Lillian Wald Houses.
2) Yesterday, the state Court of Appeals denied activists' bid to hear their case.
In a terse, 20-word ruling, the court rejected allegations that the city side-stepped state law by not seeking a vote approving the plan in the state legislature. Judges in earlier phases of the suit had already ruled in the city’s favor twice.
The court also rejected the activists' motion to hold the city in contempt of court, after the city continued to cut down trees in the park following a judge's order in the case, issued last week that appeared to require the city to pause construction.
This is truly a sad day, not only for us but for all parkland. This decision sets a terrible precedent for all parkland... All they have to do now is tack on some park-related excuse to whatever they're doing and it will not need to go through alienation or state oversight. They could put a building in a park and say it's for environmental research for the park and it will be ok. Thank you for your support. We are in mourning.
A 32-year-old man was discovered dead in the apartment by firefighters.A 46-year-old woman was taken to the Cornell burn unit at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in critical condition.A 13-year-old boy and an 18-year-old woman were treated for smoke inhalation and burns after they climbed down exterior poles of the building to safety.Four others suffered minor injuries.Multiple electric bicycles were found in the fire apartment, and fire marshals are looking into the possibility that they sparked the fire.
There is a GoFundMe for the residents of the apartment where the fire started. Details here.