Fifteen arrests were made at Thursday's protests against planned demolitions of public housing in New Orleans, police have told the Associated Press.
Fifteen arrests were made at Thursday's protests against planned demolitions of public housing in New Orleans, police have told the Associated Press.
Police used stun guns and pepper spray during the protests, which took place outside a meeting where the City Council voted in favour of the plan.
Police used stun guns and pepper spray during the protests, which took place outside a meeting where the City Council voted in favour of the plan.
Nine people were injured, four of whom were taken to hospital, police said.
Nine people were injured, four of whom were taken to hospital, police said.
Critics say replacing the storm-damaged structures with mixed income housing will mean fewer cheap homes.
Critics say replacing the storm-damaged structures with mixed income housing will mean fewer cheap homes.
Police said the 15 arrests were made on charges ranging from battery to disorderly conduct, AP reported.
Police said the 15 arrests were made on charges ranging from battery to disorderly conduct, AP reported.
On Thursday, following hours of debate and clashes outside the meeting, the City Council voted in favour of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's plan to replace the decades-old structures damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
On Thursday, following hours of debate and clashes outside the meeting, the City Council voted in favour of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's plan to replace the decades-old structures damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
One of the campaign leaders, Endesha Juakali, said the protesters would fight on and planned "an all out effort" to prevent bulldozers from carrying out the demolition order.
One of the campaign leaders, Endesha Juakali, said the protesters would fight on and planned "an all out effort" to prevent bulldozers from carrying out the demolition order.
Tensions have been high in New Orleans over a lack of housingBefore the meeting, critics of the plan had argued that the plan would further restrict the stock of cheap housing at a time when the city is still struggling to rebuild from Katrina.
Tensions have been high in New Orleans over a lack of housingBefore the meeting, critics of the plan had argued that the plan would further restrict the stock of cheap housing at a time when the city is still struggling to rebuild from Katrina.
They also said the brick buildings were still sound and only needed to be renovated.
They also said the brick buildings were still sound and only needed to be renovated.
"It is beyond callous, and can only be seen as malicious discrimination," said Kali Akuno of the Coalition to Stop the Demolition.
"It is beyond callous, and can only be seen as malicious discrimination," said Kali Akuno of the Coalition to Stop the Demolition.
"It is an unabashed attempt to eliminate the black population of New Orleans."
"It is an unabashed attempt to eliminate the black population of New Orleans."
But supporters of the demolition plan argued it would allow developers to take advantage of tax breaks and build new neighbourhoods with an allotment of low-income housing.
But supporters of the demolition plan argued it would allow developers to take advantage of tax breaks and build new neighbourhoods with an allotment of low-income housing.
Thousands of families from the southern states hit by Hurricane Katrina are still living in government-funded temporary housing, including caravan parks.
Thousands of families from the southern states hit by Hurricane Katrina are still living in government-funded temporary housing, including caravan parks.
Your Comments
I have many friends who still try to live in New Orleans. This is such a blatant, sexist move on the part of the city leaders and HUD leaders. If you know anything about the tenants in public housing, most of the time the tenants are women with young children. Immoral and illegal displacement of people, whether in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world, whether by natural or human-made disasters, jeopardizes people's safety and access to employment, health care and education. By denying the families access to safe, affordable public housing in New Orleans, you are sentencing them to an uncertain future and you also increase their chances to being exposed to potential homelessness. Asantewaa Nkrumah-Ture, Washington, DC
The government housing does need to be torn down. The article fails to mention the fact that the buildings are in bad repair and do not provide a suitable living condition for the residents. The plan is not to cut out public housing and "eliminate the black population", but to rebuild better facilities, and create a better quality of life. Samantha , New Orleans
All the Projects were due for demolition before Katrina. They are of pre-50's construction and are filled with lead-based paints and asbestos. It is totally uneconomic to refurbish them. The Council voted unanimously to give the federal Government permission to tear them down and replace them with new 'mixed-income' dwellings. These projects are bad in several ways: they condemn good people to live in decrepit housing and have become a central meeting point for thugs. New Orleans has a chance via Katrina, to lift a big part of it's population out of hopelessness, and give them homes to be proud of.Alan Pond, New Orleans
I have lived in N.O. all of my life, but not in public housing. I do not agree with the demolition. It is like the Civil Rights movement never happened. The last time I checked, food, clothing, and shelter were the basic necessity of life. Now, in New Orleans, homeless people live in tents outside of City Hall in Duncan Plaza (the news now says that there is a deadline to get out of public park today) and have been for about two years. The St. Thomas project which was demolished some years ago, now houses YUPPIES with the "new" mixed-income housing initiative. I just am livid that the City Council has put deveolopers over its constituents. Anon, New Orleans
What is your view about this story? Will you be affected by the demolition? Send us your comments using the form below.
What is your view about this story? Will you be affected by the demolition? Send us your comments using the form below.
