Mayor Cantrell: French Quarter concert different from summer protests

Cantrell says organizers disrespected city
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A concert that drew a large crowd in the French Quarter near Jackson Square angered New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.

It featured Christian music performer Lauren Daigle, but the crowd was reportedly largely maskless and not socially distanced.

"We must always balance protecting constitutional rights and the freedom of expression with public safety concerns," said Mayor Cantrell. "While this was under the guise of a religious activity or an event, we know that it put our people in danger."

The mayor said the event organizers had discussed the concert with city officials, and were told by the city that they couldn't permit it.

The mayor said this event differed from the public demonstrations against police brutality that took place over the summer.

"The difference is the efforts to communicate were respected (by the summer protesters)," Cantrell said. "In this instance, they were not respected, and therefore we did not anticipate that they would not follow the guidelines."

The mayor says she has the city's legal department looking into action it can take as far as repercussions for the organizers.