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Hello Everyone,
During the Summer of 2020, "We Protect Us" became a rallying cry at the George Floyd protests and in calls to reallocate funding from NOPD. Our chapter passed this resolution to prioritize organizing towards police abolition.
As you've probably heard, on Saturday night a gunman opened fire inside of an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, killing 5 people and injuring 19. The death toll would have been higher if not for members of the Club Q community tackling, disarming, and restraining the shooter from further violence.
When the cops showed up, they tackled, arrested, and detained the man who took down the shooter. Sound familiar? In Uvalde, cops not only stood by while a shooter massacred schoolchildren, but violently handcuffed parents to prevent them from saving the children. This is because cops do not protect us.
On the contrary, according to this statement from our comrades in Colorado Springs, the cops in Colorado Springs were busy infiltrating DSA and other leftist groups with undercover police and arresting comrades who marched for affordable housing. Meanwhile, the District Attorney dropped all charges against the right-wing terrorist (and grandson of a fascist politician in California) that perpetrated this weekend’s armed attack. The cops then allowed this soon-to-be mass murderer to roam freely through the community, presumably because they share some common goals and politics - namely, terrorizing the local LGBTQ and leftist communities.
As Club Q community members demonstrated: We Protect Us. We must out-organize the fascists who terrorize our communities. If you are able, our comrades with Denver DSA recommend donating to this GoFundMe to support the victims.
Locally, here are some upcoming events where you can join in organizing our community here in New Orleans:
Hearings on the City's 2023 operating budget began this month, and are set for final approval by City Council on December 1st. The hearing will be livestreamed at this link, and on Wednesday, November 30th this same link should include a copy of the Agenda and Public Comment form.
When the public comment submission form opens on November 30th and before it closes at 10am on December 1st, we ask that you submit a public comment (or attend the hearing in person if you are able). Municipal budgets can serve as a template for reimagining a fundamentally more equitable and humanistic society. Defunding police and shifting budget priorities to universal measures designed to uplift the working class is clearly in line with socialist values.
Furthermore, defunding and disarming police is a necessity for public safety. Yesterday, over a dozen New Orleans and national organizations published a report documenting routine sexual violence by NOPD. Despite local and federal oversight, there have been at least 236 formal complaints filed against 189 cops since 2014. For context, the size of the dept is currently 944. While, Mayor Cantrell claims cops are leaving because of salaries, misconduct records show otherwise. Between 2019-2021, 254 cops left NOPD - 90% were reported for misconduct or use of force right before they left.
Resources for survivors of police violence:
If you would like to report a complaint, contact the Office of the Independent Police Monitor at https://nolaipm.gov/file-a-complaint-or-commendation/ or call (504) 309-9799.
Louisiana Survivors for Reform hosts monthly support spaces for all survivors and victims' loved ones to come together and access healing services. Sign-up here.
LOCATION UPDATE: St. Roch Park at N. Roman. This is the same space where our comrades with Trystereo meet for their first Wednesday of the month kit-making. We are holding the Dec. 3rd Clinic at St. Roch Park to accommodate grilling hot meals and space large enough for a community social event. And as always, we will provide free brake light changes, health screenings, and NARCAN from Trystereo (check out their fundraiser this Friday, November 29th at The Domino, 3044 St. Claude, 10pm til).
If you're interested in getting involved with our Brake Light Clinics and Health Fairs, fill out this form.
Baton Rouge DSA Member Davante Lewis has pushed incumbent Lambert Boissiere into a runoff for Public Service Commissioner. We made a recommendation to vote for anyone but Boissiere in the primary, and our recommendation stands for the Runoff election on December 10th. Our comrades with Baton Rouge DSA and Sunrise Movement New Orleans have endorsed Davante Lewis.
This race has major implications for climate action in Louisiana.
Register to Vote or check your registration here. Early voting is Nov. 26 through Dec. 3 (excluding Sunday, Nov. 27) from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
In Solidarity,
DSA New Orleans Local Council
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