🌱 City Council Addresses Anti-Asian Crime + Manhattan Bridge Accident

Happy Wednesday, neighbors! I am your host, Patrick Murray here with three headlines to kick off your morning.

First, today's weather:

Showers with a high of 64 and a low of 54.

Here are the top stories today in Lower East Side-Chinatown:

1. City officials met with City Councilmembers on Tuesday at a hearing held to address the ongoing crisis of anti-Asian hate crimes. Councilmember Christopher Marte, who sits on the Committee on Civil and Human Rights, announced that the hearing would include the questioning of NYPD officials as well as the city's Commission on Human Rights. Hate crimes against Asian New York residents rose a shocking 361 percent from 2020 to 2021. (Gothamist)
2. An elderly man has died after suffering a medical episode and crashing his SUV on the Manhattan Bridge on Tuesday morning. The 73 year old was driving towards Brooklyn when he spun out of control at 6:45 a.m., and struck another vehicle. The victim was rushed to Brooklyn Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. (Yahoo News)
3. Reports show that the driver involved with the Monday morning pedestrian accident on East Houston Street had been drunk driving, and that the 21-year-old victim has been left in critical condition. Michael Deguzman, 49, struck the young man with his Chevrolet Camaro, before hitting a Honda CRV, injuring himself and the two passengers in the other car. Later that day, Deguzman was charged with driving while intoxicated and driving while ability impaired. (Patch)

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Today in Lower East Side-Chinatown:

• "A Woman Under The Influence" screening at The Metrograph. (6:45 p.m.)
• The Star Wars Movie Quiz, at Caveat. (9:30 p.m.)
• AFRO-PUNK at Pianos. (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Wan Wan, serving regional Thai cuisine, opens in NoLita. (Paywall: The New York Times)
• Check out this week's neighborhood real estate roundup. (Lower East Side-Chinatown Patch)
• Where to celebrate Mother's Day in Lower Manhattan. (Downtown Alliance)
• Get a free copy of Lower Manhattan's Shop Dine Guide. (Downtown Alliance)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Dr. Michal Szostak, Organist from Poland, plays historic Erben Organ (May 4)
• Freedom Party® NYC MAY 6! (May 6)
• Hire A Pro To Tackle Mom's To-Do List (May 8)
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Announcements:

• National Football Foundation Honors Suffolk County Players (Details)
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Job listings:

• Development and Administrative Manager — Hoboken Historical Museum (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. I'll see you soon!

— Patrick Murray

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Lower East Side-Chinatown Daily? Contact me at lowereastside@patch.com