A Louisiana judge blocked further efforts by state officials to clean up homeless encampments in New Orleans, halting operations that took place before three Taylor Swift concerts in the city this weekend.
Efforts to relocate around 75 people living in tents under a bridge near the Superdome began in the days before the pop star’s concerts, which could draw 150,000 visitors to the stadium.
Judge Lori Jupiter issued a temporary restraining order on Friday, ordering law enforcement officials not to “destroy or dispose of the property of homeless persons without due process of law” and to notify people to find them in the “state-sanctioned camp” that they are “free. go away.”
The order is in effect until November 4.
The judge’s decision was made in response to a complaint filed by homeless people who were subject to the attack. In legal papers, they argued that state troopers violated their constitutional rights by illegally searching, seizing and destroying their property, disposing of their most valuable items. and “forcefully removing them”.
According to the complaint, a legal observer heard state troopers say “the governor is asking you to move because of the Taylor Swift concert.”
State officials said residents were being moved to a new location about two blocks away, where homeless people living in the French Quarter tourist area would also be relocated.
A spokesperson for the Government Jeff Landry said that the effort is aimed at addressing the issues of homelessness and safety, linking the campaign to celebrations and the Super Bowl in February, which will be held in the city.
“As we prepare to welcome Taylor Swift and Super Bowl LIX to the city, we are committed to ensuring that New Orleans puts its best foot forward on the world stage,” said Director Landry’s contact, Kate Kelly, in a press release issued to local media.
Homeless rights advocates say the campaign has disrupted the work of local officials trying to connect homeless people with social services and help them find permanent housing solutions. .
Martha Kegel, executive director of Unity of Greater New Orleans, a non-profit organization that seeks to provide permanent housing to the homeless, said the operation was unnecessary and harmful and that many people in the camp were suffering from mental illness and distrustful authorities and those who tried. to help them.
“Some people were scared and left, and that’s not good,” she said. “Because all the work we’ve done to document their assessment and their disabilities and, you know, work with them on their housing plan has now increased.”
Terrence Cobbins is among those who had to move on Wednesday. Taking a break from gathering his things, he explained that he had been asked to move because of the performances.
“They never did it for other people,” he said. “Why Taylor Swift?”
2024-10-26 23:33:00
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