A morning roundup of news, opinion, and links from City Paper and around the District. Send tips and ideas to citydesk@washingtoncitypaper.com.

“Before we even got started MPD [officers] were everywhere.”

Trayon White’s Friday protest of the deceptive hiring practices of building management company Bozzuto and developer Chapman was no incidental thing. After decrying the companies’ apparently false statement that they hired dozens of Ward 8 residents to help build a $50 million housing project (which will include 114 affordable units), the councilmember organized a five-hour-long demonstration against them on March 9. But before the event even began, White posted photos showing a heavy Metropolitan Police Department presence at the kickoff site and publicly berated the agency for over-policing. Here’s his whole statement, worth reading in its entirety (emphasis ours):

“Before we even got started MPD were everywhere. The community asked for additional police to be outside of Eagle Academy during a town hall because of several shootings and homicides. The community was told MPD didn’t have the officers. [Yet] Muriel Bowser and MPD ironically found extra police to come here today and yesterday. I have seen over 18 police vehicles and one officer said they detailed some new ones today. He don’t know where they came from. We had a shooting on Good Hope Rd last night, yet our police can come here to police cement, bricks, and construction trucks. I guess you have to protect the investment while the people are being shot, homeless, and hopeless.”

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

• Take caution with your morning commute: The metro area is likely to see a dusting of snow around morning rush hour. [WTOP]

• The Virginia legislature agreed to bump its funding of the Metro up to $154 million annually—on the condition that D.C. and Maryland promise to spend more on it as well. [Post]

• A grocery tip courtesy of the Cleveland Park listserv: Connecticut Ave.’s Brookville Supermarket will close for renovations on April 7, and starting today will have a “clear the shelves” sale on its merchandise.

• Protests continue to rock Howard University as students condemn the school’s housing management system and poor living conditions. [WAMU]

• American University’s women’s basketball team won the Patriot League tournament this weekend. [WTOP]

• A friendly reminder that it’s Girl Scout cookie season. Break out your singles and get yourself a box of Samoas.

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Andrew Giambrone(tips? agiambrone@washingtoncitypaper.com)

• D.C.’s school reform movement has focused too much on data, not on education. [Post]

• Local Republican Party struggles to organize, but hopes to make a ballot splash. [Times]

• The nonprofit D.C. encourages taxpayers to donate refunds to …no longer exists. [Post]

• Jaffe: Mayor Bowser’s office cowed David Grosso to punt emergency hearing. [NBC4]

ARTS LINKS, by Matt Cohen (tips? mcohen@washingtoncitypaper.com)

• April + Vista debut two new tunes, “Own2” and “How to Get By.” [DC Music Download]

• A new study from the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis found that D.C. arts and culture led the nation in contributions to the local GDP. [DC Theatre Scene]

• Matt Dowling, bassist of The Effects andPaperhaus, releases his solo debut. [WCP]

• Northern Virginia native Arvin Ahmadi discusses his debut novel with Kojo Nnamdi. [WAMU]

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com)

• Hide out in this hidden gem of a coffee shop in Adams Morgan. [WCP]

• Have you tried shad roe? [Washingtonian]

• The over-under on whether Trump can improve his diet while in office. [Post]

• Capital Burger sets a March 19 opening date. [Eater]

• When Big Bear Cafe will surprising feel like a luau. [PoPville]

HOUSING COMPLEX LINKS, by Morgan Baskin (tips? mbaskin@washingtoncitypaper.com)

• An HBCU museum opened on Georgia Ave. NW. [WBJ]

• Maryland officials have apparently promised Amazon a new four-lane parkway should it choose the state for HQ2. [WBJ]

• The Nationals are conducting a fireworks test in the park at 3:00 p.m. today if you’re in the mood for a free show. [Twitter]

HAPPENING TODAY:

• ANC 2C meets today at 6:30 p.m. 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

• ANC 3G meets at 7:00 p.m.5601 Connecticut Ave. NW.

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