Hurricane survivors honored at NYC event

The New York Coalition in Solidarity with Hurricane Katrina-Rita Survivors sponsored a Katrina 4th anniversary event on Aug. 29 at the Solidarity Center. Gulf Coast survivors and their supporters reflected on the 2005 hurricanes and flood disaster.

The disaster is said to be the largest natural disaster in U.S. history. Broken levees in sections of New Orleans resulted in approximately 1,500 deaths. Thousands of survivors were displaced and scattered throughout the country.

The anniversary program included the survivors giving thanks for the help they’ve received from various community organizations, individuals, endorsers, labor unions, churches, college students and coalitions. A listing of all those acknowledged was handed out.

Some survivors emotionally recited poetry and spoken word they had composed, telling the story of their experiences during the hurricane and flooding. Others gave reflections on their traumatic ordeals and present circumstances, or gave commentary on the government’s neglect and indifference to their situation then and now. A pre-schooler softly sang the song “Jesus loves me.” And a trombonist played the New Orleans-style jazz tunes “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “Down by the Riverside.” The audience responded by clapping and singing along.

Special tributes were made to recently deceased Vicky White and Sen. Ted Kennedy. White was a New Jersey community activist, member of the Peoples Organization for Progress, and a dedicated fighter for justice who saw the struggle of New Orleans residents as everybody’s struggle. When she passed she was given a New Orleans-style funeral. The community is attempting to have a street in Highland Park, N.J., named after her. Sen. Kennedy was honored for his tireless fight on behalf of survivors.

Organizer and mentor of the NY Katrina-Rita coalition, Brenda Stokely, was also given special thanks and appreciation. One survivor jokingly commented that Stokely came out of the womb proclaiming “No justice, no peace!” The Nation of Islam was also recognized for its continuing support. NOI members brought backpacks stuffed with school supplies for survivors’ children, and gave a brief statement ending with the words “Still we rise!”

Transit Workers union representative Charles Jenkins connected the union’s fight for affordable housing with the survivors’ human rights struggle for housing and the right to return home. The union is raising transportation money for unemployed survivors to attend the Sept. 20 rally and march for jobs during the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh. A Picture the Homeless member spoke on neo-liberalism, right-wing think tanks, co-opted politicians, and the need to shatter media stereotyping.

A video feed from New Orleans on the current state of affairs in the region was given by Bill Quigley, Center for Constitutional Rights legal director. Quigley stated that injustice still reigns, and people of color who remain in New Orleans still receive little support. Sixty percent of the people were renters or elderly home owners, and they received none of the $10 billion allocated to repair homes. Twenty-seven thousand families are eligible for the government’s Road Home program, but have yet to receive the money. Monies are also unaccounted for.

The government is still pushing people out of hotels, shelters and housing assistance programs. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has demolished thousands of good public housing units. One-third of the houses are vacant, with some occupied by squatters. Homelessness is high, and rents have doubled or tripled. The population of New Orleans has been reduced to 300,000. And only about 10 percent (500 families) of renters will be able to return in the future. Meanwhile, the government has given land to private developers.

Quigley added that money has been given to large businesses and companies, while many public hospitals and schools remain closed. There is privatization of hospitals and charter schools, with no programs for children with disabilities. Only half of Black and poor school kids are in schools. Day care, health and mental health care are also greatly reduced.

The French Quarter tourist area, just a short distance from the blighted Ninth Ward, is thriving. Despite high unemployment, Louisiana’s Republican governor has, for political reasons, refused the federal stimulus package money for unemployment compensation for 20,000 families, Quigley stated.

Regarding the levees, Quigley said there is no federal report that the city is any safer than before. And no progress has been made to ensure the disaster won’t be repeated. He concluded that Katrina exposed the country’s racial and class disparities. He stated the government has abandoned New Orleans, and there’s no real leadership by federal or state governments. However, Quigley emphasized, we will not forget or rest until the struggle is won.

During the program a complete meal, prepared by supporters and their friends, was served. The program ended with a solemn, candlelight remembrance that included honoring those who perished in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and calling out of ancestors’ names. There was the chant of “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!” The closing sentiment expressed was: “The light of our struggle will never go out.”