Photo by abrowntable
Good Morning, D.C. Occupying Congress today? Bring an umbrella, as it’s pretty wet out there.
Pain Train: For the second time in a year, a Metro rider reports seeing Transit Police officers assaulting a man who appeared to be disabled. The Examiner reports that on January 3, Rudolf Rojas, who was waiting at Metro Center, watched in shock as officers struggled violently with a man who appeared to be disabled and suffering from what Metro officials say is schizophrenia. Rojas says he saw officers beat and bloody the man. Last year, a Metro customer who captured videotape of transit officers appearing to knock a wheelchair-bound man to the ground was arrested. The American Civil Liberties Union is getting involved in that case now.
Monumental: Yesterday was the first commemoration of the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to pass since the erection of a monument in the civil rights leader’s memory. The Post writes that for many, the new memorial brings a tangible quality to the holiday. As one visitor to the memorial told the Post: “It’s something entirely different to have a physical structure that people can go to and see the importance of the civil rights movement and the importance of progress.”
Welcome Back, Jerks: Congress returns to work today after a long holiday recess, and guess what? Polling finds we still think they suck. The legislative branch clocks in with an approval rating of 13 percent, with 84 percent hating. Three percent left to sway.
Briefly Noted: Your headphones will hurt you … Falls Church women’s health clinic enlists help to stay open … Obamas spend King’s birthday at Browne Education Campus … Burger King now delivers … It’s a watery day in Annapolis … The Cooch is not giving up on the rat transfer … Despite John Wall’s 38 points, Rockets still manage to defeat Wizards.
This Day in DCist: Last year, Metro police said they’ll go even more Bigger Brother-y on riders refusing bag check, and George Allen jumped back in. In 2010, a local humanitarian worker returned from Haiti’s post-earthquake hell.
