Faubourg Marigny, Sunday, March 6, 2011: Krewe of Eris parade attacked by NOPD

First-hand report posted to New Orleans indymedia: "The parade then moved forward, finally, following a course that took it into the French Quarter. We didn't get far; it was clear the Eighth District didn't want us there. Some neighborhoods are okay to parade in, and some, apparently, are not. The response to Eris entering the Quarter was swift and markedly more aggressive. A helicopter swept us with its spotlight-- wait, does NOPD have a helicopter now? There was definitely one present. Police cars blocked off two sides of every intersection, directing the parade into two right turns: up one block and then directly back out towards Esplanade. All the cars at the intersections had their sirens going at ear-splitting volumes, as did the now-multiple cars behind us, which accelerated and roared their engines. Many paraders broke into a trot and then an unnerved run. Some crowded onto the sidewalks."  Read more: Arrested at the Eris Parade

Also, a repost from nolaslate: "I ran back out the door and ran into a man who had been with Eris who told me that the cops had tried to blockade them at Esplanade, then Franklin, now here at Port. When I walked the half block to the intersection I saw cop cars everywhere, cops with a kid face down on the ground and all had their batons out and their attitudes in evidence. The police were very clearly spoiling for a fight." Read More: Permitting Culture Crimes

Jordan Flaherty writes for the Louisiana Justice Institute's Justice Roars blog: "On Sunday night, at least 20 officers descended on a Mardi Gras parade, arresting several costumed marchers, and repeatedly deploying tasers, pepper spray, and physical violence. The parade, which consisted of local artists and other neighborhood residents, as well as quite a few tourists, began as a stunning display of the artistic talent found in the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods, and ended in a violent nightmare when NOPD officers rushed into the peaceful crowd."  Read more: New Orleans Police Attack Mardi Gras Parade

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What Can We Do To Support Egypt?

John Clark addresses rally at rally: Hale Boggs Federal Building, New Orleans

- Transcript -
We have all been moved by the courageous actions of the Egyptian people over the past few days. In response to their inspiring example, we might ask the following question. What effective steps can we take to support their struggle for liberation, and to support similar struggles throughout the world?

There is a very easy and very bad response to this question. Unfortunately, it is also the one that is most popular. This response is to express our great sympathy and admiration for their struggle, and then to go on acting as we have in the past. I propose that a more constructive response would be, first, to become better educated about what has made their struggle necessary, and, next, to begin to act in ways that that will make it, and similar struggles, more likely to succeed in the future.

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Malcolm Suber, community activist and self-described revolutionary in New Orleans, came onto the WTUL News & Views show on January 5, 2011 to talk about the 1811 Slave Revolt organized between New Orleans and plantations up river. At a minimum of 150 slaves and eyewitness estimates up to 500, this was the largest slave revolt in United States history until the Civil War.

Audio recording is 38min:40sec; 17.7 MB

Transcript of Interview Included

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On what feels like the coldest day of the year in New Orleans, members of the Congress of Day Laborers and their supporters held a 24 hour vigil in front of the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office to press for their right to remain in the area. A lawsuit, Cacho v. Gusman, has been filed by a member of the Congress against Marlin Gusman, Orleans Parish Sheriff, whose governance of the prison has resulted in blatant racial profiling and constitutional violations, alleges the lawsuit.

More to come as it develops.

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On January 15, 2011 a second line was held for the victims of the December 28 warehouse fire.  On that cold night the squat housed 8 wandering musicians and artists who built a fire for warmth in a building that has not had electric or water since Hurricane Katrina.

7:56 video by FluxRostrum

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