Roadtrip for Relief for Katrina Victims in New Orleans Nov 27, 2005

[earth mom]

Michael Moore and Common Ground ROCK! :bounce:

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November 1st, 2005

Roadtrip for Relief

Converge in New Orleans in a Showing of Solidarity!

November 20-27 in New Orleans -- organized by Common Ground

Come lend a hand over the week of Thanksgiving until November 27th. That's less than four weeks away!

The folks at Common Ground invite you to join an estimated 300 volunteers from around the continent to converge in New Orleans the week of Thanksgiving.We want to encourage those in attendance to arrive with building & cleaning supplies, donated equipment and, if possible, funds that can apply directly to help rebuild and the 9th Ward.

Upon arrival, we will orient you to the long history of neglect and oppression in this area and offer tips on how to connect with the community in a respectful and effective manor. Then we will plug people into community projects in the 9th Ward, where we have just opened a new distribution center and where we are helping to coordinate efforts to challenge unjust city, state and national governments' policies and commercial exploits.

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http://michaelmoore.com/mustread/covington.php

More here:
http://www.commongroundrelief.org/2005/10/road_trip_for_relief_reclaim_t_1.html#more

[BOSSHOG]

1. While I applaud their efforts

I'd appreciate it if they would give specific examples of "unjust city and state policies." The citizens of the lower ninth ward haven't been able to go back to their homes because the EPA is still testing for toxins. Keeping them from their homes for that reason I do not believe can be considered unjust. Safety is the issue. The ward is very close to an oil refinery company which leaked due to the hurricane. I love New Orleans and I love the ninth ward; I worked close to there for years right across the St Claude Avenue bridge. I've yet to see any gross unjust city policies directed toward those residents since the hurricane.

[earth mom]

2. I see what you're saying...but...

how many displaced citizens of New Orleans will EVER get to go back home? Frankly, I wouldn't hold my breath hoping that Bush Co or Fema will help any of those citizens get back to their homes and get them fixed any time soon-if ever.

The real question is: How soon will new condos and businesses be built on that "toxic" land? Oh yeah, big business developers love that eminent domain don't they? Makes it easy for them to go in snag that land cheap and build what ever they want to make lots of cash. :grr:

[BOSSHOG]

3. No doubt there will be

a large number of residents never to return and that will be by their own choice. And no doubt, bush and his ilk will do as little as possible to assist those who do. But city leaders have vowed to rebuild the Ninth Ward and I am optimistic it will return in some form. Plans were already in the works to expand condos and the tourist business from the French Quarter down Chartres Avenue on the River to Poland Avenue. Plans include another cruise ship berth just two miles from the French Quarter. This area is close to the ninth ward and is less susceptible to flooding. I believe all concerned will get what they want in the long run. Homes and a neighborhood across the St Claude Bridge, more condos being built near the Quarter. And if folks continue to come to the city and roll up their sleeves that may occur quicker than anyone realizes.

[earth mom]

4. Residents can't return because they can't afford to and will not

be able to afford the new rents that will be charged for those condos or to buy them which is what will most likely be the case. Bottom line, the poor and working poor can't afford those condos either way.

All the plans you've spoken of are pro-business. Where's the housing for the poor or working poor?! Sorry, but from what you describe, the way they are rebuilding New Orleans doesn't sound like it will benefit anyone but the well off or the upper middle class at the very least.

[BOSSHOG]

5. The building plans I refer to are not

in the ninth ward. They are near the ninth ward but not in the ninth ward. Nothing can be built in the ninth ward right now or for the near term future. Residents of the ninth ward wouldn't live in those condos, they are not in their neighborhood. And, contrary to what many believe, all the residents of the ninth ward aren't poor. If I had lived there and my home was flooded/destroyed I'd have to do a lot of introspection before I returned to that specific location so close to the industrial canal. The worse case scenario for the residents is that businesses won't want anything to do with that geography because of its current condition and location. I do not see a vast conspiracy against the residents of the ninth ward from local government or local businesses.