| NEW ORLEANS (DEC. 20, 2007) -At least one person was tasered by police, a few others chemical-sprayed, and 15 arrests made, creating a chaotic scene at the city of New Orleans council chambers on Thursday. Several injuries were reported. With a light drizzling rain falling, activists protesting the demolitions of the city's housing projects held a boisterous demonstration, calling for the city council to vote against the demolitions, the most controversial issue on their agenda today. As renowned activist-attorney Bill Quigley took his place in line to enter about 10am, police shut and locked the entrance gate, reportedly because the chamber was filled to its capacity, due to fire code regulations. Protesters put up signs reading "stop the demolitions". Some city council meetings in this ravaged city have attracted overflow crowds in the past. The streets leading to the New Orleans city hall complex were cordoned off by police soon after that. Most protesters were upset that they were not allowed inside. As the council meeting began, the crowd of over 100 and growing began to chant "no demolitions" or "let us in", and "no housing, no peace". Some housing project residents, if few in number at the scene, were represented by the presidents of their respective communities. The presidents of the Fischer and B. W. Cooper developments made their presence known. Several homeless people from a makeshift village of tents and cardboard directly across the street from city hall in Duncan Plaza arrived, and one homeless lady repeatedly shouted emotional profanities against the demolitions and the council. Some people in the crowd uttered their beliefs that the council had already decided to vote for the demolitions. Indeed, several council members had already made their positions publicly known before today's vote. Arrests were made inside the meeting, as several vocal members of the audience interrupted council members. Those arrested were escorted out to police vans through the opposite side of the building. As the crowd outside surged toward a locked driveway entrance gate at the epicenter of the scene outside, where over a dozen police officers stood guard, police responded with a burst of chemical spray. One protester, a young lady, was hit with a jolt from a police taser gun. Soon after, New Orleans police on horseback positioned themselves on the opposite side of the locked gate. One activist was heard calling for a recall of council member Jackie Clarkson, one of the most outspoken proponents of the demolitions.Rain eventually forced much of the crowd to disperse. The council later voted unanimously in favor of the demolitions. Mayor C Ray Nagin said he applauds the council for their decision. Copyright © 2007 katrinaconnection.com |
| New Orleans Demolition Protests Reach Fever Pitch story & photos by Phil Moore |
A woman is led away from New Orleans City
Council chambers shouting to this reporter "put it
in the paper...they beat me up"
All photosCopyright © 2007 katrinaconnection.com
Council chambers shouting to this reporter "put it
in the paper...they beat me up"
All photosCopyright © 2007 katrinaconnection.com
Housing activist protesters outside New Orleans
city council chambers
city council chambers
Moments after entrance gate was locked, many,
including attorney Bill Quigley, still stood in line
including attorney Bill Quigley, still stood in line
| KATRINA CONNECTION |
Protesters and others beg to be let into the city
council chambers after gates are locked
council chambers after gates are locked
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