Police Declare Sidewalk a Crime Scene; Five Arrested
By Maggie Barr
In a shocking turn of events on Tuesday, New Orleans Police declared the sidewalk in front of the St. Bernard Housing Development a crime scene and arrested five peaceful protesters.
The protest gathered some 50 residents and concerned citizens. At 9:00 am, Sharon Jasper, a St. Bernard resident, opened the protest with a prayer. A well-attended press conference followed. Police were in present when protesters marched to the Milton Street entrance gate chanting “Stop the demolition!” At 10:30, police standing across the street from the demonstrators shouted, “This is now a crime scene.” Arrests were made shortly following that declaration.
One of the arrestees, Jay Arena of C-3, said that many positive things had come out of Tuesday’s demonstration. “Firstly it showed that there is still a strong movement in the city advocating for the right to return for all residents. Secondly it highlights the corruption in the city and especially the actions of Alphonso Jackson, the current Secretary of HUD. Lastly, our actions did stop the demolition that day and shows that peaceful resistance and popular organizing are still effective methods to fighting corruption.” Ms Jasper, her daughter Kawana, Jamie Bork Loughner, and Joy Kohler
were also arrested. They were cited for various allegations ranging from trespassing, battery, and crossing a police line.
HUD head Jackson is currently under federal criminal investigation on conflict of interest charges in awarding a $127 million no-bid contract to Columbia Residential, a company he has strong ties to, for the rebuilding of the St. Bernard Housing Development. According to the HUD secretary's public financial disclosure reports, the firm has significant financial ties to Jackson, and owes the secretary between $250,000 and $500,000 "for past services.” Jackson’s wife, Marcia has strong financial ties to at least two companies that sub-contracted for HANO (Housing Authority of New Orleans), who were awarded $500 million from HUD for the rebuilding of New Orleans. Jackson also wrote Mayor Nagin in December of last year threatening that if the demolitions of public housing complexes did not go through, the city would loose $137 million in construction funding and housing vouchers.
“The people have been shut out of the process,” states Sharon Jasper. “We have to know the truth about the corruption that is going on in this city. Corruption is the one and only cause of these demolitions. What I have seen in this city is a disgrace. Our mayor is not for the poor and working-class. He is for the rich and he is for tourists. The working class of New Orleans built this city – built this city’s culture – but we can’t come home. Where are our voices now?”
The activists and residents continue to bring attention to housing inequality as well as government corruption. They advocate for the passage of Senate Bill 1668, which calls for a guaranteed one-to-one replacement of all public housing units demolished, additional money for the Road Home program and vouchers for the homeless. Senator David Vitter of Louisiana, recently exposed as a frequent customer of call girls, continues to block its advancement in the U.S. Senate.
On Friday, there will be a 3 pm press conference and rally at the Lafitte Housing project. All residents are encouraged to come, listen, and let their voices be heard.
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The author can be contacted at: mfbarr@hotmail.co.uk