The Day: A Protest, Cops in the Community and Farm-to-Table Grub

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Beliebers Emily Roy (left) and Audrey Coupu (right) drove down from Montreal to see Justin Bieber perform at the Barclays Center on Aug. 2. (Photo by Antonia Massa)

Good morning, Fort Greene and Clinton Hill.

You probably couldn’t help but notice how busy the Barclays Center was this weekend. Justin Bieber took the stage on Aug. 2, followed by Beyoncé, who performed there from Aug. 3 through 5 as part of the Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. As fans flocked to these performances, a blow-up rat made a cameo appearance outside the stadium as part of a union workers protest of the Barclays Center.

Union members decried the city government and Brooklyn-based developer Forest City Ratner for “exploiting and browbeating” Brooklyn residents by securing millions of city taxpayer dollars in tax breaks and tax subsidies, while offering low-wage part time jobs without health insurance at the new stadium. Jose Tores, a member of the New York City Carpenters Union, protested outside the Barclays Center on Aug. 2, while throngs of teenage girls waited excitedly for Justin Bieber’s arrival. “We’ve been protesting the Barclays Center for about one and a half years, since before it opened.” said Tores. “We’ll probably be protesting for a long time. This isn’t fair to the community.”

What do you think about the lines of fans and protesters, locals?

Here’s more local news to start you day:

The 88th Precinct Community Council is hosting the annual National Night Out Against Crime this evening in Fort Greene Park, Myrtle Minutes reported. The event will give visitors a chance to meet and greet local police officers, the precinct’s community council board and local elected officials. Plus,there’s free rides and food. To be a part of the event, head to the corner of DeKalb Avenue and Washington Park, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Martha, a new farm-to-table restaurant that evolved from The Brooklyn Sandwich Society, is open for dinner tonight for the first time. Stop in and try one of their dishes made from locally sourced produce and sustainably-raised, hormone-free meat. Smoked ricotta gnocchi, duck liver mousse, and hand-rolled papardelle with mussels, chorizo and saffron are just a few of the offerings. Martha is located at 184 DeKalb Avenue. For more information call (718) 596-4147.