Marchers Cross New Orleans Bridge to Protest Racism

November 7, 2005

Leaders from across the country gathered with local activists today in New Orleans to rally at the New Orleans Convention Center, where thousands had been stranded without food or medical care in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and to march across the Crescent City Connection bridge into the city of Gretna.

It was the same bridge where over a hundred hungry and thirsty Katrina survivors, mostly African American, tried to flee the devastating floodwaters — and were prevented from crossing to safety by Gretna police officers who fired shots in the direction of the crowd.

The four-mile march across the bridge followed a moving rally in the shadow of the abandoned convention center. Speakers included NOW President Kim Gandy, U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.), Rev. Lennox Yearwood of the Hip-Hop Caucus, as well as residents of New Orleans who spoke firsthand about their experiences in the days after Katrina, and on the bridge that fateful day.

Police officials initially intended to prevent today's bridge crossing as well, saying that demonstrators would be arrested if they attempted to cross the bridge. By the end of the rally, many had decided to risk arrest in non-violent civil disobedience — but the police relented and the marchers crossed with a police escort.

"There was a mighty solidarity on that march, bringing together so many people across race and class and culture," said Gandy, herself a New Orleanian, "and we have to keep marching together, because there are many more bridges to cross."