Each year since 2005, the Annual Hurricane
Katrina March and Second Line has taken to the streets to commemorate those who
died during the storm and demand justice for those who were not helped. By
organizing a community led commemoration, the march, taking place August 29,
celebrates the resiliency of the New Orleans community, while demanding
accountability and justice for the Black and low-income families who were not
saved.
To be a part of the change, visit think100climate.com and sign the "I Will Attend" page.
The program will begin with a healing ceremony in the Lower 9th Ward at the
corner of N. Galvez Street and Jourdan Avenue at 12 p.m. Community members will
gather against the backdrop of where the levees broke and join in a multi-faith
prayer and a reading of the names of those who died during Hurricane Katrina.
Following the prayer, the march will begin. As more people join, spirits will
begin to be lifted. At the halfway mark, a brass band will join as the march
transitions from somber to celebratory in the true spirit of New Orleans. The
march will conclude at Hunter's Field, N. Claiborne Avenue and St. Bernard Street,
where the rally will begin. From 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., the afternoon program
will feature speakers and performers, vendors, and community organizers.
If you can't attend the march in
person, especially because of the recent COVID surge in New Orleans, sign the
petition instead! In the recognition of the 16th anniversary of Katrina, a list
of demands for justice is being released. These demands include divesting from
fossil fuels and petrochemicals and investing in climate solutions that keep
communities and the people in them in mind, defunding the police and investing
in community programs of social uplift, and investing in education, health,
housing, and Black businesses. The time to make these decisions is now,
otherwise, New Orleans will only see more disasters in the Gulf Coast, with the
possibility of more unsuccessful rescue responses.
To read more about the initiative and the march, visit think100climate.com.
