A virtual event will be held tonight as part of NYC’s official day of remembrance for victims of COVID-19.

Editor’s Warning: mentions of sexual harassment.

Happening in the World: Sri Lanka is moving towards banning the burka and other face coverings, citing the threat of religious extremism as justification. The ban, expected to be implemented soon, comes just after Switzerland also voted to ban the wearing of burkas in public. The Sri Lankan government also wishes to ban more than 1,000 madrassa Islamic schools. Muslim Council of Sri Lanka argued that this ban needs to be seen as having an effect on both religious and human rights and argued that the vast majority of Muslim schools were registered with the government. (BBC)

Happening in the US: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, both representing New York, join many other voices in calling for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation amid allegations of sexual harassment. These allegations come after recent accusations of COVID-19 mismanagement. Cuomo continues to deny these allegations, emphasizing that calls to resign are politicians “playing politics” and “bowing to cancel culture.” A poll released earlier this month found that 55% of New York voters do not believe he should step down, but the majority (59%) believe he should not pursue a fourth term. (CBS)

Happening in NYC: Today, March 14, marks one year since the first COVID-19 death was recorded in New York City and is now cited as the official day of remembrance, honoring those who have passed. At 7:45 pm, a virtual event, organized by the Lincoln Center, will be held on Twitter. Mayor Bill de Blasio urged New Yorkers to submit photos for the event which you can do here. (Gothamist)

Happening in our community: On Monday, March 15, former New York Times reporter Elizabeth Becker will discuss her new book “You Don’t Belong Here,” which revolves around three women who challenged military rules. The book also helps explain war at a time when women were not seen as foreign reporters. To learn more about the event, which is from 6 to 7 pm, click here. 

Opening line of the week: “It happened in the ‘seventies in winter, on the day after St. Nicholas’s Day.” – Leo Tolstoy, “Master and Man.”

New York City via Bwarchives