New Orleans City Council: Fracas in the Chambers and Battle at the Gates
This morning when I turned on the radio in my car there was a report that from the middle of a police encounter that mentioned mace and tasering. Then I heard a brief radio report after. Only when I returned home did I see that events were not quite widespread as I imagined.
This morning a vote was scheduled concerning the demolition of four public housing projects. There was a confrontation with protesters in the council chambers and two incidents at the gates outside. Someone was tasered inside. Two women were tasered outside. In the second gate encounter, many were maced. The story is still taking place. There is a rain today which affects the outside protesting. One reporter I watched said there were about 100 people outside the city council.
Sunshine Law - refers to a Louisiana law concerning "open meetings."
Here are some video and articles from the clashes:
WWL Television
Fights erupt in council chambers
Council meeting starts after delays due to fights, shouting
The Times-Picayune
Council seems ready to approve demolitions
Photos: Housing debate heats up
Live Updates on Demolition Vote from Council Chambers
I'll post more when as I find information.
4 Comments
blankfistWow, thanks for the post, dotdude. Atrocious. Here's a video from a protester's point-of-view: [edit] link changed [/edit]
dotdudeThe council meetings do have notorious reputation for being a ZOO.
I'm wondering about the folks protesting. Who exactly were they. One reporter said he had yet to talk to someone who lived in a housing project.
One protester talked about the "pro-demolition" people filling up the seats so that there was no room for the "anti-demolition" people.
mlxUnbelievable.
dotdudeI watched a video taken from the officer's side of the fence too.
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