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FinalCall.com News
National News
Thousands journey to New Orleans March
By Jesse Muhammad
Staff Writer
Updated Apr 10, 2006 - 10:11:00 AM
The right to return, vote and rebuild!
NEW ORLEANS (FinalCall.com) - The spirits were high in the city of New Orleans as over 3,000 journeyed to take part in a march led by the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Themed “The Right to Return, Vote and Rebuild,” the historic gathering on April 1 would re-flood the Crescent City with passionate survivors demanding justice instead of the waters that took the lives of their love ones.
“Though our people have been exiled, they have the right to return!” stressed Reverend Jesse Jackson during the opening rally. “We have the power to change our own condition. We have to stop talking and start sacrificing to help our people.”
The opening rally was held on the grounds of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, which was the site of death, destruction and grave injustice six months ago during Hurricane Katrina.
Rev. Jackson then stated the demands set forth by the network of organizations present. The first demand is for the Voting Rights Act to be honored by making the election scheduled for Apr. 22 fair for all. Rev. Jackson demanded that the ballots get to the people, but questioned if the ballots would reach the people in time since “we have a broken postal and mail system.” The leaders called for satellite voting polls to be set up in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and all the other cities where displaced New Orleans residents presently reside. They also demanded that the updated lists of displaced voters be given to election candidates, so they can communicate with their constituents. “Remove the bureaucracy,” shouted Rev. Jackson.
“This city election could have a broad effect,” stated Reverend Al Sharpton, who served as a co-convener of the march. “What happens in New Orleans will affect voting rights all over the United States.”
Patricia Jones, who survived the floodwaters, adorned the rostrum to represent the Lower Ninth Ward Residents Council. “We are organizing strong on the grassroots level. We will have a say in everything that goes on in our city!” she insisted.
“We need the right to vote to put the right people in the right positions,” said Mtangalizi Sanyika, to the applause of the crowd.
National Urban League President and former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial was warmly received by the crowd as he shouted “Long live,” followed by the names of a series of well-known neighborhoods in New Orleans that were torn apart by the floodwaters.
Then, famed comedian Bill Cosby came forth with heartfelt words for the people. “We’re always saying it takes a village, but we have to look at what we allowed before Katrina to come into our villages,” Mr. Cosby opined, as he pointed out the gun violence and murder rates of New Orleans before the catastrophe. “It’s painful, but we can’t cleanse ourselves until we look at the wounds.”
He urged the crowd to “observe the works of the Muslims who wear bowtie, shades and carry bean pies. They are effective.” He then encouraged everyone to continue to fight on after the marching is done because “you’ve just started.”
Other speakers during the two-hour rally included Rep. William Jefferson, SCLC President Charles Steele, NAACP President Bruce Gordon, Michael Eric Dyson, William Lucy and Cleveland Rep. Stephanie Jones. Amidst signs held high reading “Re-Elect Our Mayor,” Mayor Ray Nagin delivered words before the march began.
“We want to send a signal to the world that Katrina is not going to keep us down!” shouted Mayor Nagin, who is facing 22 opponents in his campaign for re-election. “You have to step up Governor and Lt. Governor! If they can spend money in Iraq, they can spend money in New Orleans.”
Performances by the Louisiana Leadership Institute Marching Band, George Porter & the Runnin’ Pardners and R&B platinum recording artist John Legend highlighted the protest rally.
Treading the path of sorrow
Led by Rev. Jackson and Rev. Sharpton, everyone lined up to march across the Mississippi River Bridge, which served as a symbol and reminder of the Sept. 1 injustice that took place there three days after the storm. On that day, a large group of Blacks were trying to escape the horrific madness of the Convention Center by crossing the bridge on foot, but was turned away by Gretna police. This incident prompted a federal lawsuit and evoked charges of racism because the evacuees were branded as potential thieves. But this time around, the path leading to the West Bank community would be unblocked.
With the sweltering heat gleaming on their faces, many marchers wore t-shirts reading “Bring New Orleans Black” and “We may be washed out, but we’re not washed up.” Others held up signs with messages that included “Iraq has fairer elections.” The culture of New Orleans was in the atmosphere as a ragtag band led the way up the ramp on Convention Boulevard, with people twirling umbrellas. Many people began to cry with the joy of being home for the first time and being united with family members.
“This is a very important march,” East New Orleans resident Gail Gipson told The Final Call. Her family loaded three cars to escape the flooding and slept on the hardwood floors of a gymnasium before making it to safety. They are now lining up contractors to rebuild their home. “We must stand in solidarity like never before,” she stressed.
Thousands of marchers locked arms in unison, while chanting: “We want the right to return, vote and rebuild!” Drivers passing by blew their horns in support of the marchers and traffic built up as fellow New Orleanians stopped to film and photograph the march that stretched for miles.
The march, which spanned over three miles, ended at the Oaktown Center, which has been closed since it was severely damaged after Katrina. Among the marchers were members of the Nation of Islam from Houston, New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
“This is a good event because it will continue to bring national attention to the plight of the people,” stated New Orleans Nation of Islam Minister Willie Muhammad. “But nothing will get accomplished until we do something for ourselves.”
Marchers told the Fruit of Islam (F.O.I.) how much they appreciated the work, support and words of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam during their time of need.
During the closing gathering, more speakers encouraged people to take action such as calling Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco’s office in Baton Rouge at (225) 342-7015. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus dispelled the untruths put out in a letter by the U.S. Justice Department that the group was in support of the upcoming election date.
While hundreds of leaders and organizations are calling for satellite voting polls, Legislature have only agreed to let displaced voters to cast early ballots at 10 satellite sites set up in the state’s most populous cities and parishes, including Lake Charles, Alexandria and Baton Rouge. For the Apr. 22 primary, voters can cast ballots Apr. 10-13 and Apr. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
