Violent protest over housing in New Orleans

[IraGlacialis]

Violent protest over housing in New Orleans
By Adam Nossiter and Leslie Eaton (http://www.iht.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?query=By Adam Nossiter and Leslie Eaton&sort=publicationdate&submit=Search)

Published: December 21, 2007


NEW ORLEANS (http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/12/21/america/21cndorleans.php#): After protesters clashed violently with the police inside and outside the New Orleans City Council chambers on Thursday, the council voted unanimously to allow the federal government to demolish 4,500 apartments in the four biggest public housing projects in the city.
But the council also called on the Department of Housing and Urban Development to reopen some apartments in the closed projects immediately, and to rebuild all of the public-housing units that it bulldozes. The agency plans to replace barracks-style projects, known as "the bricks," with mixed-income developments.
"We need affordable housing in this city," said Shelley Stephenson Midura, who proposed the resolution adopted by the council. But, she continued, "public housing ought not to be the warehouse for the poor."
Advocates for public housing residents contend that the agency's plan will not provide enough housing for the 3,000 families who lived in the projects before Hurricane Katrina, almost all of whom were black. Many of them have not been able to return to the city, and some protesters say they are being deliberately excluded from New Orleans.
"The issue is and the question remains, who's in the mix," said Torin Sanders, pastor of the Sixth Baptist Church, referring to the plan for mixed-income housing. He and other speakers at the four-hour hearing that preceded the vote said that previous redevelopment efforts had shut out most public housing residents.
The city's shortage of low-cost housing is only going to get worse in the coming months, as the federal government tries to move more than 30,000 people out of government-owned trailers, said Courtney Cowart, strategic director of disaster response for the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.
But representatives of the residents' councils at three projects spoke earlier in the hearing, describing the poor conditions at the complexes before the storm and expressing their support for the new plans. "It's about being able to walk into a house and say this is a house, not a project," said Donna Johnigan, a resident at the BW Cooper Apartments, which the government began to demolish last week.
The future of public housing in the city has been a subject of passionate debate in this storm-scarred city, involving race, money, history, the right to return — and who gets to make the decisions.
That the three blacks and four whites on the council joined to support the demolitions seemed to echo a widely held feeling here, crossing racial lines, that the old housing projects were deeply dysfunctional, both for their residents and for the people who lived around them.
Mistrust of the government was voiced by many of the speakers who opposed the demolitions, while supporters said most of the protesters were outsiders who did not live in New Orleans, much less in the four housing projects.
Police officers on foot and horseback tried to keep protesters out of the council chambers once all the seats were filled. Demonstrators tried to push through some iron gates to get into the chambers when the police used what appeared to be pepper spray and stun guns; at least two demonstrators needed medical treatment.
There was also a brief fight inside the chambers and the police ejected some demonstrators. About 15 protesters were arrested, the police said, mostly on charges of disturbing the peace.


http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/12/21/america/21cndorleans.php


---------------------------------------------------------------------


Kanye West has something to say about this. p-)

[mi35d]

They re-elected Mayor "Chocolate City" - reap what you have sown.

[CG51]

Seems like the people that bitch the most contribute the least.

[phoilme]

bunch of users and dolts. pretty sad state when a portion of society can't and won't fend for themselves.

[gaijinsamurai]

Where are Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson when you need them!?!?!?

[Trainman-2]

They were at Hillary's Christmas Party!

[Rifleman]

[QUOTE=IraGlacialis;2941635][B][SIZE=3]while supporters said most of the protesters were outsiders who did not live in New Orleans, much less in the four housing projects.]


I think that pretty much sums it up, However, I think NO will be rebuilt into the San Fran of the south, it's gonna take money, one day, to live there.

[Hilbert]

I think that pretty much sums it up, However, I think NO will be rebuilt into the San Fran of the south, it's gonna take money, one day, to live there.

By the time that day comes (if it comes), I will be LONG gone from this place (New Orleans).

[8thidpathfinderpower]

bunch of users and dolts. pretty sad state when a portion of society can't and won't fend for themselves.


Its a shame. A very big shame. Especially, when most of the people such as the author of this post, are so callous, and uncaring.

Things like homelessness, and disasters, chronic unemployment, gun toting street gangs, and massive human suffering just do not or did not happen, in most communities inside of the USA, until an actual disaster strikes, or several plants close down, leaving a majority living in an area, unemployed, or until civil unrest strikes, caused by poverty, unemployment, homelessness, corrupt governments...things like that just do not happen here, because most people are off in their little world, struggling through every day life, listening to the propaganda on the tele thinking all is just fine...until something tragic happens to them, and they have to cry because they are now suffering the same as those who have suffered as those they now mock.
:bash:

[8thidpathfinderpower]

[quote=IraGlacialis;2941635][b][size=3]while supporters said most of the protesters were outsiders who did not live in New Orleans, much less in the four housing projects.]


I think that pretty much sums it up, However, I think NO will be rebuilt into the San Fran of the south, it's gonna take money, one day, to live there.

I do not NO will get that chance to become the SF of the south. I think plans will back fire on the local planners and governments, and the people will demand change, either by force, or by elections..fact is, I kinda see NO as a focal point in the future as the rallying point for a new American civil war. Andthe seeds are already sown...chronic unemployment, lack of housing, high crime rate, and a population fed up.

[Hilbert]

I kinda see NO as a focal point in the future as the rallying point for a new American civil war. Andthe seeds are already sown...chronic unemployment, lack of housing, high crime rate, and a population fed up.

What the f*ck?

[9mmRifle]

I agree that a lot of people could have been more prepared, and a lot of people can be blamed for this but all we know is when some news item hits the headlines, but I know somebody there trying to get their life back and the struggle goes on every day for many of these people. They might have got some FEMA grants but that money does not cover all the cost and much of it was too little too late, the gov has also made an attempt to exploit the New Orleans disaster as a reason to close down public schools, some were denied aid and the disaster was an excuse to drop government back projects etc. A lot of property is going to return to a swamp as its old wet land state. A year after Katrina some people were still plodding through streets asking questions, looking for families. The official search ended October 3 but since then hundreds more bodies have been found. I've heard some crazy **** that went on there, a year later sometimes insurance inspectors would turn up at an abandoned property to the house a complete waste and find a body stuffed into a trashcan.

[I can't think of a name]

The problem with a lot of those NO residents is that they wont work. You have multi-generation welfare people. There are more jobs in NO than before Katrina and Hispanics are filling the void while the traditional poplation are complaining for government checks.

[8thidpathfinderpower]

What the f*ck?

Yes. I see New Orleans becoming a focal point for a new American civil war. There is way too much unemployment. Way too many homeless. Way too high of a crime rate. And, when you start to see violent protests on the news concerning a housing problem in the city, thats only just the beginning. If the new elected president does not do something fast when they get their adminastration in office, they stand to see this happen.

[8thidpathfinderpower]

I agree that a lot of people could have been more prepared, and a lot of people can be blamed for this but all we know is when some news item hits the headlines, but I know somebody there trying to get their life back and the struggle goes on every day for many of these people. They might have got some FEMA grants but that money does not cover all the cost and much of it was too little too late, the gov has also made an attempt to exploit the New Orleans disaster as a reason to close down public schools, some were denied aid and the disaster was an excuse to drop government back projects etc. A lot of property is going to return to a swamp as its old wet land state. A year after Katrina some people were still plodding through streets asking questions, looking for families. The official search ended October 3 but since then hundreds more bodies have been found. I've heard some crazy **** that went on there, a year later sometimes insurance inspectors would turn up at an abandoned property to the house a complete waste and find a body stuffed into a trashcan.

I keep track of the events going on in New Orleans. Its a national shame, that re-building from a disaster was so mismanaged, and that very little has been done in the way of actually rebuilding the city, as in the population that lives there. And, the destruction is out side of the city also. A lot of communities are still struggling to rebuild, over 2 years since the hurricanes devastated the area.

There is a lot that we take for granted in the United States. We think that stuff that goes on over seas does not happen here. We seem to think that every one is capable of being law abiding citizens. And we place too much faith in governments doing what is right. We are often the first to make dumb, uneducated statements, like phoilme did in his first post.

I said it before, and I will say it again...New Orleans is going to become a focal point for a new American civil war, unlike one ever seen in history. The causes ae going to be much more than individual states rights, and rights of citizens against inhuman treatment.

New Orleans, is one of the biggest challenges concerning the newly elected president and his cabinet when the elections begin next year. A lot of what is happening in that city, is going to become a catalyst for much more civil unrest except it will just not be in the city its self, but the whole region.

[Zoomie]

Yeah, NO as a rallying point for a civil war? Hah. Lay off that crack pipe. It should not be up to the Federal Government to bail out a city for mistakes that were made on a state and city level. Besides, I'm tired of my money being wasted on "victims of Katrina" (http://michellemalkin.com/2007/12/22/the-shut-up-white-boy-woman-is-the-slum-dweller-with-a-60-inch-tv/).

[CG51]

http://michellemalkin.cachefly.net/michellemalkin.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/1shutup3.jpg (http://michellemalkin.cachefly.net/michellemalkin.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/1shutup3.jpg)

That picture caption pretty well sums it up. It's pituful what people give you.

Disgusting. I wonder if you will see her out in her own community trying to make a difference other than causing more hate and dissension.

[MaDuce]

It sucks that they have to deal with the aftermath of Katrina but in the end if you consume more of society's resources then you produce I have little sympathy for you.

[dedbunniez]

I do not NO will get that chance to become the SF of the south. I think plans will back fire on the local planners and governments, and the people will demand change, either by force, or by elections..fact is, I kinda see NO as a focal point in the future as the rallying point for a new American civil war. Andthe seeds are already sown...chronic unemployment, lack of housing, high crime rate, and a population fed up.


What news are you reading? New Orleans isn't the catalyst for a civil war. You truly are smoking crack...

[8thidpathfinderpower]

What news are you reading? New Orleans isn't the catalyst for a civil war. You truly are smoking crack...

Yeah and it is good.....

But seriously, if you take a real hard look and see what is really going on down there, you might see the very seeds or war sown in so many other countries...massive unemployment, homelessness, and high crime rates..all right down in the city called New Orleans.

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

bunch of users and dolts. pretty sad state when a portion of society can't and won't fend for themselves.

Get out.

As somebody who grew up THE POOREST suburb/town in a metropolitan government area in Australia I can honestly tell you that is the biggest ****ing crock of ****.

99.9% of poor/government housing/unemployed types are not in the situation they are in by choice.

[bruiserau]

Get out.

As somebody who grew up THE POOREST suburb/town in a metropolitan government area in Australia I can honestly tell you that is the biggest ****ing crock of ****.

99.9% of poor/government housing/unemployed types are not in the situation they are in by choice.


Well then you're living proof you can succeed if you want to.

Where abouts did you grow up if u dont mind me asking?

[8thidpathfinderpower]

Get out.

As somebody who grew up THE POOREST suburb/town in a metropolitan government area in Australia I can honestly tell you that is the biggest ****ing crock of ****.

99.9% of poor/government housing/unemployed types are not in the situation they are in by choice.

I would have to strongly agree with you there, Minadiru. But, most people here in America think that those people are there by choice. But, rest assured, most people in New Orleans right now are not there by choice.

When you sow the seeds of social discontent, by causing chronic unemployment, by causing homelessness, and by causing a high crime rate, you really have a problem. The local government, run by Mr. Nagan, needs to stop looking to rebuild NO into this utopia for the rich, and start concentrating on what is pressing most...housing, and lack there of.

See, what most people forget is that alot of homes, even though it is over 2 years since the storms hit, is that most of the homes have not been rebuilt. Most of the funding that was supposed to be given to families that lost their homes, never went to the families. Instead, it was mismanaged, and spent poorly. The local response to disaster relief, has been lacking, and most of the cities population suffering.

As I have been stating over and over, when you have chronic unemployment, a very high crime rate, and a massive homeless population, you start the seeds of such things as terrorism, genocide, and civil war.

[Zoomie]

See, what most people forget is that alot of homes, even though it is over 2 years since the storms hit, is that most of the homes have not been rebuilt. Most of the funding that was supposed to be given to families that lost their homes, never went to the families. Instead, it was mismanaged, and spent poorly. The local response to disaster relief, has been lacking, and most of the cities population suffering.
Actually a lot of it did to go to the families, but they chose to piss it away in whatever fashion they saw fit. A lot of families got a free ride for TWO WHOLE YEARS in Houston and other cities on my tax dollar, and what do they do? COMPLAIN.

[MaDuce]

A lot of Americans have sympathy for the poor but when you see people spending money on new rims or a diamond encrusted superman medallion or big screen TV has shown in the previous example, as opposed to food, medicine, education etc.. they lose sympathy. Some people seek to better themselves and rise above while others are perfectly content to cry "woe is me the man has done me wrong" and believe they are entitled to handouts.

[8thidpathfinderpower]

A lot of Americans have sympathy for the poor but when you see people spending money on new rims or a diamond encrusted superman medallion or big screen TV has shown in the previous example, as opposed to food, medicine, education etc.. they lose sympathy. Some people seek to better themselves and rise above while others are perfectly content to cry "woe is me the man has done me wrong" and believe they are entitled to handouts.

There are people that do abuse the system so to speak...but the media picks up on these idiots and portrays the abuse as rampant and very wide spread. And in most cases, that is not the case.

We tend to believe what the hype says, not what the situation is. And in the case of the regional devastation caused by hurricane Katrina, we tend to focus on what was supposed to not happen. We tend to focus on the fraud and abuse by the supposed victims rather than take a look at the population as a whole.

People have lost their homes, their lively hood, and their pride. The pride and lively hood will be replaced over time. But the cost of rebuilding homes, especially when most cannot get insurance money to pay for rebuilding, FEMA monies were mismanaged and squandered, and most now living in government supplied trailers are being told to move out, really sets a spike in people, causing problems.

When Katrina hit, the country as a whole was not prepared for the rebuilding that has to be done on such a massive scale. We were not prepared for the cost of recovery, or the cost of human suffering on the scale that the hurricanes caused.

But, the country as a whole needs to take a good hard look at Katrina as a whole, and start demanding changes in how local, state and fedral governments handle disasters, and start demanding changes to the system as a whole.

[Kaplanr]

...

But, the country as a whole needs to take a good hard look at Katrina as a whole, and start demanding changes in how local, state and fedral governments handle disasters, and start demanding changes to the system as a whole.

I think it also begs a look at how the nation, whether at the federal or local levels (and in-between) handles everything from public-housing, industrial development, zoning and education / workforce development. What happens when a city or metro area's population has more than x percent (10? - 20 - 30?) being very poor. Is there enough of an income producing tax-base to sustain and grow municipal services?

Look at the "crack-the-whip" affect when populations aren't educated enough to find work; communities are then besieged with demands for public monies to be spent on job-skills training and job's creation. This isn't re-training for the newly unemployed, but rather starting from scratch for those who blew their first chance.

[seraosha]

Ate up like a soup sandwich.
Fitting.

Come on down to New Orleans, spend some time there.
What that city needs is affordable housing for the service industry, and it will come when the rich tourists are shelling out too much for their Hurricanes, their soup at Mis Sparrows, and their beignet's are too dear at Cafe Du Monde.

But what you are not going to see is a recreation of the slums for the third and fourth generation welfare recipients.

You are more likely to see a hotbed of revolution in Salt Lake City, then you are in New Orleans. What happened after Katrina was idiocy...starting with those that didn't evacuate on up to the governor. The rebuilding is taking so long due to insurance pay-outs...no one wants to underwrite an investment until there is a working levy system that will prevent the flooding from happening again.

But don't take my word for it, come on down.

[Ordie]

Other than an annual drunk fest and Tulane University, what are the other employment generators for New Orleans? Strategically it would make an excellent intermodal transportation hub to the Carribbean, Mexico, Central and South America.

But investors and businesses will not want to relocate there unless there is transparency, stability and an educated workforce. The state is backwards with a history of corruption, graft and incompetence. I also blame the locals for letting it happen.