Multiple D.C. Restaurants Stand in Solidarity With Protesters While Suffering Property Damage | Eater DC

"I learned that Teaism’s Lafayette Park cafe suffered shattered windows, a fire inside and water damage from sprinklers after Saturday night unrest, and that owners Michelle Brown and Lela Singh (with business partner Linda Neumann) quickly posted the tweet, “Before anyone puts a single word in our mouths. Black lives matter,” to keep attention on police brutality rather than the teahouse. I saw video of three people walking out while a fire burned inside, heard Singh describe being “sad and drained” over the loss of tea chests covered in decorative Japanese washi paper, and learned the company would consult insurers while preparing to reopen its Dupont Circle location for takeout after keeping all three cafes closed during the pandemic except for shipping loose-leaf teas." - Gabe Hiatt