🌱 Homeless Shelters Protested + Arrest Made In Card Shop Fire

Happy Saturday neighbors! I am your host, Patrick Murray here with a couple fresh headlines to get your weekend underway.

First, today's weather:

Sunny and cold with a high of 28 and a low of 24.

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

1. Dozens of Chinatown community leaders gathered outside of 91 East Broadway on Thursday to protest plans for more homeless services facilities. Many members of the community are living in fear due to the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes, and fear that the addition of homeless shelters in the neighborhood will only make matters worse. The demonstrators are calling on the city to reconsider these plans as they feel that homelessness has been allowed to fester in the community for far too long. (CBS New York)
2. A teenager has been arrested in connection with the Essex Card Shop fire. Charges against the 13 year old, whose name is unknown due to his age, include second-degree arson. Officials announced that the suspect was seen leaving the store minutes before management smelled smoke. (Bowery Boogie)

Today in Lower East Side-Chinatown:

• Live music at Mercury Lounge. (6:30 p.m.)
• John Owen live at The Delancey. (7:30 p.m.)
• "The Olive Trees of Justice" screening at The Metrograph. (12:15 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• NYC movie theaters will soon be allowed to sell wine and beer to customers. (Eater NY)
• Take a look at some upcoming events in the neighborhood. (Lower East Side-Chinatown Patch)
• Congrats to the Seward Park High School cheerleading team, who raised more than enough money to compete at the national competition in Orlando. (CBS New York)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Tremendous Office & Home Furniture Liquidation Warehouse Sale (January 22)
• Comedy in the East Village — Enjoy Cocktails and Vegan Food! (January 25)
• We Stan Together (January 26)
• Italian organist Eugenio Maria Fagiani plays the historic 1868 Erben organ (January 30)
• Help Us Improve Your Health | Ayúdenos a mejorar su salud | Помогите нам улучшить ваше здоровье (February 16)
• Add your event

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update!

— Patrick Murray