Justice in Jena requires justice for all the others as well – for all those who have suffered (and some who have died) silently behind bars and for their families who have fought without benefit of TV cameras and news reporters. It requires understanding that we will not, we can not achieve racial justice in this country if we do not fight against the criminal justice system, not just in individual instances, but in its institutionalized, systemic form. If we do not understand this – and understand it deeply – then this newly discovered energy, this tidal wave of outrage, this beautiful, intergenerational protesting isn't going to mean a damn thing past next week's news. Pictured: Melissa Bell, Mychal's mother, speaks at a rally at the LaSalle Parish Courthouse in Jena on July 31, 2007. (photo by Mavis Yorks)

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Two years after the devastation of New Orleans highlighted racism and inequality in the US, the disaster continues. New Orleans' health care and education systems are still in crisis.

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This article is taken from the new report compiled by the Institute for Southern Studies called, "Blueprint for Gulf Renewal," giving a voice to grassroots advocates calling for greater federal accountability in the Gulf Coast rebuilding process. The report is available at: http://www.southernstudies.org/BlueprintShort.pdf.

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On Sunday August 26th, _Tootie's Last Suit_ premiered in New Orleans at the Treme Community Center, honoring the late Big Chief Allison 'Tootie' Montana of the Yellow Pocahontas. Longtime neighborhood activist and Treme Center director Jerome Smith introduced the film. (audio: 8:17)

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On August 31, 2007 two dozen activists, a majority from across the nation but many New Orleans public housing residents present, entered the Housting Authority of New Orleans and the Federal Housing and Urban Development offices on Touro Street in Gentilly. They conducted a stand-in, shutting down the main offices and outpost offices across the city, claiming they may enter any office at any time.
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