Take_em_down_NOLA.org and the New Orleans Hospitality Workers Alliance gathered another two thousand people in Duncan Plaza Thursday evening for a protest rally against police brutality, political corruption, and workers’ rights.
After the conflict on the Crescent City Connection Wednesday night, organizers went off script for Thursday’s rally.
“If you are not ready to commit to joining with us in the direction we intend to take, then you are on your own.”
That message was drilled into the crowd as organizers went over why police are not to be trusted. Rally leads also contended the New Orleans Police Department opened up on the crowd on the bridge first.
Also tonight, the group brought for a list demands all coalescing around three words: Accountability, Community and Budget.
Accountability: The group will push forward for reforms on the heels of the killing of George Floyd to demand the NOPD be held accountable for its actions through department reform and oversight by independent means.
Community: City government will be reformed in such a way that it will make the welfare of the community.
Budget: Prioritizing the needs of the community will be performed through a reformation of the city budget. The group maintains over 60% of New Orleans’ budget is earmarked for the Police Department and the Courts while 4% is allocated for child welfare and education.
The Alliance looks to flip the budget. Greatly defunding the police department while boosting financial attention at taking care of the community.
Participants marched with the organizers from Duncan Plaza through Uptown and finally on to Tulane and Broad where they gathered outside the Orleans Parish Courthouse.
The event was peaceful and it appears last night was just one off incident.