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The Day: 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech” and Local BBQ Favorites

awoods

— 2 min read
Stop and take a look at the flowers still blooming in the nabe, a few weeks before fall rolls in. (Photo by Brien Foy)
Stop and take a look at the flowers still blooming in the nabe in the weeks before fall rolls in. (Photo by Brien Foy)

Good morning, Fort Greene and Clinton Hill.

The National Weather Service predicts a chance of scattered thunderstorms today and for the rest of the week, so be sure to keep an umbrella in tow when you head out. High temperatures will be in the mid and low 80s for the rest of the week, giving us a taste of summer before fall begins. Do you have plans for the Labor Day weekend yet, locals?

Today is the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, in which he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial – during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom – and called for an end to racism in the states. There are a couple opportunities in the nabe today to commemorate Dr. King’s monumental speech and the March on Washington.

  • Council Member Letitia James, as well as tenants and workers of AvalonBay‘s luxury tower on Flatbush Avenue at Myrtle Avenue, will honor the speech’s anniversary by protesting what they call a “Race to the Bottom” for the tower’s workers. They will meet outside the tower at 5 p.m. to voice what they believe is a need for compensation that meets city-wide standards – including family healthcare, scholarships and advancement opportunities – for the building’s employees.
  • Brown Memorial Baptist Church will host a New York Justice Rally tonight to discuss racial equality issues the nation still faces half a century after Dr. King’s speech, among other matters. Topics discussed will include the Trayvon Martin case, immigration reform, living wage, the closure of local hospitals, an end to foreclosures and the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk policy. Speakers at the event include Rev. Clinton Miller, Brown Memorial’s pastor, attorney Alton Maddox, a leader of the United African Movement and Betty Dopson, among others. The church is located at 484 Washington Avenue near Gates Avenue, and the rally begins at 7:30 p.m.
  • Fort Greene and Clinton Hill eateries made this list on Seamless’ blog of the ten best barbecue spots in Brooklyn. Little Brother BBQ on Clinton Avenue between Atlantic Avenue and Fulton Street was touted for its filling portions and scrumptious mac-and-cheese, as well as its selection of vegan and vegetarian options. Smoke Joint on South Elliott Place between Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street got the thumbs-up for its meat and veggie plates – especially the brisket with a side of collard greens.
  • El Cofre Restaurant, on 454 Myrtle Avenue, between Waverly and Washington Avenues, now has larger windows, new signage and better lighting following a storefront project at the long-standing Dominican eatery, Myrtle Minutes reported. The restaurant’s menu, known for its $4.99 lunch specials and tasty baked chicken, remains the same, according to the blog.

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