🌱 New Yorkers Protest Russia + LGBT Community Protests Adams

Welcome back, New York City! Here's everything you need to know to get this Friday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Morning downpours; cloudy. High: 39 Low: 23.

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Here are the top five stories in New York City today:

1. Hundreds gathered at a protest in Times Square Thursday to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which began in full force on Wednesday night. Many of the protesters were Ukrainian and Russian themselves, and said their family overseas were nervous about the situation; one protestor told Patch he was considering traveling to Ukraine now to protect his country. (New York City Patch)
2. Two council members introduced a bill requiring the city to give out free anti-overdose drug kits to New York City nightclubs. Described as "harm reduction," the bill, introduced by Keith Powers and Chi Ossé, comes months after the opening of two injection sites in Upper Manhattan (New York City Patch)
3. LGBTQ+ New Yorkers protested outside of City Hall against Mayor Eric Adams' appointment of three people considered to be homophobic and anti-abortion rights, to top positions in his administration–including running his immigrant affairs office, and serving as a faith leader. In a statement Adams stood by his appointments. (New York City Patch)
4. Harlem residents are upset at police officers who they say have virtually turned a traffic divider on a major street into a private parking lot for themselves. The situation poses a hazard to pedestrians, they say, and has been ongoing for at least two years. The NYPD precinct said they would 'look into it,' but the community has yet to see substantial changes. (New York City Patch)
5. Seven burglars stole close to $500 thousand in luxury goods from a store on the Upper East Side, before heading in opposite directions along Madison and Fifth avenues. Police are still working to identify the suspects. (New York City Patch)

From our sponsor:

Today's New York City Daily is brought to you in part by Atlantis Paradise Island, The Bahamas. In honor of Bahamian culture, Atlantis Paradise Island welcomes its guests to join in the Taste of Paradise, a two-week celebration of food and beverage prepared with the freshest seasonal ingredients and an innovative eye taking place from March 2 to March 13.

Today in New York City:

• BARBARESCO CAMP: A Walk Around Wine and Food Tasting at Eataly NYC Flatiron, 200 5th Ave. (5:30 p.m.)
• New York City Times Square Bar Crawl and Trivia Game [Brews & Clues], at 1 Times Square (6 p.m.)
• 'Drunk Black History' at The Bell House, 149 7th St. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Mayor Adams wrote a message of solidarity with Ukraine on Twitter: "The unprovoked and unjustified invasion of their homeland is an assault on freedom." (Twitter)
• Brooklyn's notorious 'eco-yogi slumlords' will be giving up their property to the state in a $2.3 million settlement. (New York City Patch)
• See it: Spider Man was out on the town in Washington Heights earlier this week, as spotted by one observant New Yorker. (New York City Patch)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Dashiell Allen