This article is a critique of a draft proposal by five progressive non-profits providing policy recommendations to the U.S. Congress concerning the promotion of affordable housing in the storm devastated areas of the Gulf Coast. This analysis is the collective work of New Orleans housing activists who have been fighting for affordable housing in the city since Katrina and longer. The main criticism of this analysis is that the proposal of the five non-profits, in general, represents a continuation of the failed private sector driven approach to rebuilding the Gulf Coast begun in 2005 under the direction of the Bush Administration.

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Residents of public housing and supporters gathered in the cold outside of the Lafitte development today rallying against evictions and demolition.

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The third demonstration against the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip occurred on Sunday January 18.  More than 200 people marched up Canal Street, holding signs and Palestinian flags. They chanted continuously. "Gaza Gaza We are Here! Tell your children not to fear!" resounded one such chant, which emphasized the march's solidarity with Palestinians.

See photos from the larger New Orleans Palestine Solidarity demonstration on January 4, 2009.


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"We arrived inside Gaza at 5pm last night. We were met by Anees, a 23 year old Gazan. He has guided us around the community. When we first came in tonight, kids were playing soccer in the street. We saw lots of heavily damaged buildings, especially government buildings and homes near the border."

Kathy Kelly is with Voices for Creative Nonviolence. Audrey Stewart is a human rights worker with Loyola University New Orleans. They have been in Egypt since January 8, 2009.

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Community leaders gathered outside the police station Thursday say Grimes was straight up murdered and that a full investigation can only be the beginning of bringing his killers to justice.

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Police Killings Inaugurate New Year By Darwin -- The convergence of so many killings around the holidays seems to have created conditions similar to how people describe the mid to late 1960s – thick and hot with tension, rage and a desire for justice – even though it is the cold middle of winter.


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