Here’s a look at some of the stories that caught our eye in the past week:
–Brosnan, a private security firm, is teaming up with the local grassroots group, Chinatown Block Watch, for stepped up neighborhood patrols. The firm is providing the pro bono service as more hate crimes against Asian Americans are occurring. The effort has the support of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brwewer, who said, “What the hell is going on that makes people so racist that they pick on often older men and women and particularly women?… “It’s insane. The one way to stop is to have more security.” [Channel 11]
–State Senator Brian Kavanagh is advancing legislation that would extend the eviction moratorium until the end of the summer for tenants impacted by the pandemic. [Gothamist]
–Bluestockings Cooperative, the Lower East Side-based bookstore and activist center, opens its new store at 116 Stanton St. [EV Grieve]
–Howl Happening launches an online exhibition featuring work completed by graffiti artist Al Diaz during the pandemic. “If the letters on Diaz’s work look familiar, it’s because they are made up of reclaimed New York City Transit Wet Paint Sign characters, and subway system icons.” [NY1]
–Marketers are competing to bring immersive van Gogh exhibitions to cities across the country. One such exhibition will descent on Pier 36 on the Lower East Side in June. [Broadway World-Press Release]
