🌱 Clash Over Park Construction + Rikers Inmates Remembered

Happy Sunday Lower East Side-Chinatown! I am your host Patrick Murray bringing you a couple of today's top headlines from the neighborhood.

First, today's weather:

Sunny and breezy with a high of 49 and a low of 38.

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

1. Protesters clashed with police on Friday over the construction at East River Park. "It’s a corrupt plan," said Lower East Side resident Emily Johnson, one of many local resident who feel that the city's efforts have not held the community in mind since the onset of this project. The construction is part of the city's larger East Side Coastal Resiliency project which spans from East 25th Street to Montgomery Street.(FOX 5 NY)
2. Candles were lit in Lower Manhattan in remembrance of the 15 inmates who have died this year in Rikers Island. The demonstrators took part in what they called the Day of Action for Decarceration. The increasingly stifling conditions at Rikers have led to an increased call for action in closing the jail.

Today in Lower East Side-Chinatown:

• Synagogues of the Lower East Side, walking tour hosted by the Museum at Eldridge Street. (11 a.m.)
• Composer David Lang performing live at the Young People’s Chorus of NYC’s Art Exhibition. (3:00 PM)
• Cocktails & Carols, A Christmas sing-a-long at the Trinity Lower East Side Luther Parish. (5:30 p.m.)
• Choir! Choir! Choir! a drop-in singing event at The Bowery Ballroom. (6 p.m.)
• Sunday Sqool Comedy, at the Sour Mouse. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Join the Lower East Side Community Partnership for the annual Holiday Party and Open House next week. (Facebook)
• Celebrating Human Rights Day with the Grand St. Settlement. (Facebook)
• Throwback to the beginning of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe on the Lower East Side! (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Holiday Tales at the Castle at Sands Point Preserve (December 12)
• Big Apple Circus is NOW OPEN in New York City! (December 12)
• FREE WEBINAR Italian Architecture Through the Ages: The Marvels of Imperial Rome (December 14)
• Success Academy Union Square - Prospective Family Virtual Info Session/Tour (December 16)
• Dec. 16: Victorian Carol Sings with Two 19th Century Pipe Organs! (December 16)
• Dec. 17: Victorian Carol Sings with Two 19th Century Pipe Organs! (December 17)
• Amahl & the Night Visitors - Family Opera at Sands Point Preserve (December 18)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Behind The Scoreboard – Ed Sullivan’s Huge Lesson For The World (Details)
• Add your announcement

Loving the Lower East Side-Chinatown Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at lowereastside@patch.com

You're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Patrick Murray