CALL TO ACTION
Commemorating the Third Anniversary of Katrina: August 29, 2008
Background
Though Hurricane Katrina passed through the Gulf Coast nearly three years ago, its impact, and more importantly, the impact of our government’s neglect of the human rights of people in the Gulf Coast are still felt acutely today.
Hundreds of thousands of New Orleans residents, primarily low-income families and people of color, were displaced by the Hurricane and have still not been able to come back home. For those who are in New Orleans, conditions are becoming even more difficult, with dramatic increases in the cost of living, reduction in availability of basic public services (from education to health care and transportation), denial of basic workers’ rights, and extreme criminalization of communities of color. Is it a coincidence that 5,000 units of public housing in New Orleans are being demolished at the same time as the construction of 5,000 new prison beds? We say no – it is part of a larger system of racism and disaster capitalism, wiping out entire communities so that corporations can make more profit.
We understand that New Orleans is the front lines in the struggle against displacement and gentrification in the United States, and in the struggle for our Right to the City. Many of the tactics first used against the people of New Orleans are being or will be exported to cities across the country.
Our Demands: REINVEST in Strong Communities & Community Control (Real Democracy)
End/Divest from
Criminalization, Arrests & Incarceration of public housing residents, homeless residents, day laborers, youth of color, etc.
School to prison pipeline
Build Up/Invest In
Divert money from policing and incarceration to Housing, Mental Health, other health services, community-controlled programs and spaces, etc.
Education! Retrain school cops to be counselors/Hire more teachers/Buy more books
BRING OUR PEOPLE HOME!!! Infrastructure and resources for people displaced by Hurricane Katrina to guarantee the Right to Return to their homes in the Gulf Coast.
How can you be part of this National Day of Action?
Organize a Local Action in Your City or Town on August 29, 2008 – making connections between these demands and your local struggles!
If you live in New Orleans, Miami, Boston/Providence, New York, DC Metro/ Alexandria, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Oakland, link up with your Right to the City Region to plan your local action.
If you live in another area, organize your own action! Please contact the Right to the City Alliance (info below) to let us know what you are planning. In conjunction with this day of action, Right to the City is working to bring organizers/community members from New Orleans to different cities throughout the Alliance during the 3rd Anniversary, to further build bonds of solidarity.
For more information or to connect with other Right to the City orgs in your area, contact:
Valerie Taing, National Organizer, Right to the City Alliance: vtaing@righttothecity.org or call 212.473.3032, or visit www.rightothecity.org.
