A lawsuit filed in Orleans Parish Civil District Court challenges Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s citywide vaccine and mask mandate.
The lawsuit against Cantrell, City Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno, and the city’s Health Department was filed Monday on behalf of 100 plaintiffs. It claims the city’s vaccine mandate and mask requirement violates their civil liberties by unlawfully preventing them from taking part in activities such as sporting events and entering restaurants or bars.
The lawsuit lists state laws the mandate possibly violates and says in part: “The mayor’s emergency orders violate the separation of powers under the State constitution and the City Charter by purporting to enact law without legislative authorization.”
The lawsuit adds, “What started as a temporary means to protect the community from unknown risks has turned into perpetual, unlawful overreach.”
Mayor Cantrell’s administration expanded the vaccine mandate in December. Effective today, all children attending NOLA Public Schools must be fully vaccinated or have signed an exemption.
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Cantrell has also expanded the vaccine mandate to include every krewe member riding, and marching groups participating in a parade this Mardi Gras.
WWL First News has reached out to the city of New Orleans for comment but the city has not responded for comment.
However, when asked about the lawsuit at his weekly press conference, New Orleans spokesperson Beau Tidwell said, “Traditionally we do not comment on active or pending litigation, however, in this case, I think it is worth noting that the guidelines that we put in place, save lives, full stop. The vaccine mandate and the mask requirements are going to remain in place throughout Mardi Gras. That is the extent of our comment on the lawsuit because it is active ongoing litigation. We want to make it clear, from our perspective these guidelines have saved lives, and the vaccine mandate and mask requirements will remain in place through Mardi Gras. The only way we are going to get through this is if we do it safely.”