–One of the victims in the attack on Essex Street Saturday night spoke with Channel 7 in a phone interview. “I’m completely shocked, and I’m appalled by it,” said one of two brothers beaten up by a white supremacist gang. “I feel like these organizations are sort of being emboldened to come out of the woodwork now, just because of the general sentiment that’s going on.” [Channel 7]
–The City Council is set to approve legislation curbing laws that have allowed the NYPD to seize businesses and homes, sometimes for flimsy reasons. The police department has used the existing laws to go after bars on underage drinking charges. [Daily News]
–Neighborhood activists debate whether Bloomberg-era rezonings helped communities or simply caused displacement of longtime residents. [City Limits]
–The founders of the Lowline are preparing to close their temporary lab in the Essex Street Market. On balance, they believe the experiment was a big success. [Next City]
–There was a four-vehicle pileup on East Houston Street. [EV Grieve]
–Reminder: There’s a Valentine’s Day rally and press conference to save the former CHARAS El Bohio, P.S. 64. Facebook Invite.
